Get on Up, James Brown Biopic
Close your eyes and imagine stepping back in time. The year is 1971 and you are seated at “The Olympia” music hall in Paris, France. You hear the buzz words “Love Power Peace” circling around the room and feel the energy rise.
As a spotlight illuminates on stage, a familiar face appears. It’s James Brown, “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.”
Mr. Brown counts off, “one-two-three-four,” and the band breaks into their signature funk groove, Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine.
That’s your cue. You get on up and ...
Suddenly, the casting director yells, “Cut!” and the spell is broken. Fast forward 43 years and get yourself and your soul together because this is what it’s like in 2014, in “Thalia Mara Hall” in Jackson, Miss., on the set of the new James Brown biopic “Get On Up.”
“Get on Up” chronicles James Brown’s rise from an impoverished child to one of the most influential musicians in history.
Universal Pictures has set an Aug. 1, release date with Chadwick Boseman (42) embodying “The Godfather of Soul” and Dan Ackroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jill Scott, Tika Sumpter and Craig Robinson helping reincarnate Mr. Brown’s entourage.
The idea for the movie emerged more than a decade ago, when producer Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment) began working with James Brown on the project.
After Brown’s death in 2006, the project languished as a battle began over his multimillion-dollar estate.
After years of controversy and litigation, music rights were finally secured and the vision for the movie was revived with the help of longtime fan Mick Jagger, who was instrumental in the development of the film.
Grazer and Jagger chose Mississippi native Tate Taylor, (The Help) to direct the film and bring James Brown’s life to the big screen.
Although it appears Augusta might have been considered as a filming location, Taylor held true to his Mississippi roots and used the opportunity to help develop the film industry in his home state. He shot every frame on Mississippi soil, including scenes depicting Paris and Vietnam.
On Jan. 6, I arrived in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. As night drew near, a blast of wintery weather hit the city, causing a power outage in my hotel. Venturing down to the lobby, I was star struck as Chadwick Boseman, Craig Robinson (The Office), Tika Sumpter (Sparkle) and Jamell Richardson were in the lounge.
Gravitating toward the liveliness, I laughed to myself and thought, “Who needs electricity when you can bask in this glow?”
I introduced myself and shared in a laugh that the power outage was surely an indication that James Brown’s spirit was in the house.
I complimented Boseman’s performance in 42 and he was humble and grateful. Director Taylor tends to go for relative unknowns when casting for roles, but Boseman had the advantage over Hollywood elite because he was born in Anderson, S.C., and fit Taylor’s vision of “someone with the red soil of the South in their veins.”
Later that evening, I joined the cast for the ultimate VIP treatment – a private concert at Underground 119, a hip urban music venue, I walked alongside Craig Robinson and Tika Sumpter for a private get together and
for the next three hours, I was granted the special privilege of enjoying the company and musical talents of some of the most noteworthy cast members.
Craig Robinson, a former music teacher, captured everyone’s attention as he sat down behind the piano and began to play Biz Markie's, "Just a Friend." Chadwick Boseman accompanied Robinson as he took to the mic and belted out some of his favorite R&B tunes to include several from Sam Cooke and Shamarr Allen (NOLA trumpeter) and Tika Sumpter (Actress) joined in on a few songs.
I delighted in the honor of my good fortune and decided to share the experience with my 21 year old son who just happens to be a big Craig Robinson fan. I called my son and put Craig Robinson on the phone. After the initial shock wore off, my son asked Craig Robinson, “Are you really hanging out with my Mom?” to which funny man Craig Robinson replied, “Why wouldn’t I be?” then added “Respect the cool factor.” I thanked Craig for his participation and thought, “Wow! I feel good.”
The next day I shuttled over to “Thalia Mara Hall” decked out in my best 1970s wardrobe and was ushered to hair and makeup. Although it was quite a nice experience, I walked away looking more like a truck stop waitress than a 70s chick, but hey, I took my place.I was ready to get up, get into it and get involved in recreating the 1971 Olympia concert scene.
In the fall of 2013, I read an interview with Russell Bauknight, fiduciary of Brown’s estate, in which he mentioned the makings of the upcoming James Brown movie. Afterwards, I found Tammy Smith Casting Company’s Facebook page and noticed they were looking for extras. My heart skipped a beat as I read, “We are looking to book the following paid extras for a scene filming January 7th in Jackson, Mississippi: Caucasian and African American men and women ages 18 and over for a really fun concert scene that takes places in 1971 Paris, France.”
Anyone interested was asked to submit three photos. No previous acting experience was necessary, no auditions were to be held and my calendar was open so I submitted three photos and one week later received an email that they wanted to book me.I was ecstatic.
Instructions were sent along with photo boards giving ideas of retro hair and makeup tips.
As I entered the theater that day, I caught my first glimpse of Boseman in character and doing his thing. He slid effortlessly across the stage while mastering Brown’s fancy footwork, signature moves and splits.
The stage shimmered as musicians, backup singers and scantily clad go-go dancers took their places.
Earlier in the week, the casting company sent a clip of the original concert footage so we all had an idea of what they were looking for. Before the cameras began rolling, the dance choreographer spoke with us at length instructing our group on typical dance moves of the era. The choreographer then took to the left of the stage, out of the sight of the cameras, and gave visual instruction throughout the filming.
Once the powerful blasts of music filled the theater, I took to my feet – clapping, dancing and chanting along. After each cut, the production crew would view the clips, move us around and offer suggestions.
Gentle reprimands were given as certain folks couldn’t help but break into an “Arsenio Hall” enthusiastic arm pump and accompanying “woof, woof, woof." It was easy to get mesmerized by Boseman’s powerful performance but we were encouraged to stay faithful to depicting the time period.
After six hours, it was a rap and extras were free to leave. Chadwick Boseman and the rest of the crew worked until the wee hours of the morning as Boseman recalled, "There was one day that was like 15 hours of dancing, take after take after take after take. I counted up and I think I did 90 splits.”
Get On Up will focus on Mr. Brown’s career in his late 30s but also promises to touch on his battles with drug addiction, domestic violence and financial difficulties.
One can speculate that the infamous two-state car chase will make the cut, as one of the first big scenes filmed outside Jackson sought extras for “a really great car chase scene.”
If you’re curious about what parts of Brown’s life will make the cut you will have to get on up and get on out to a theater this summer. As Taylor, puts it: “You will have to buy a ticket and come see it.”
