Date:
June 29, 2008
Time: 5:00PM
Location: Norris Cinema Theatre/Frank Sinatra Hall
Time: 5:00PM
Location: Norris Cinema Theatre/Frank Sinatra Hall
SCA Alumni Screening Series Presents: SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE
5:00PM on Sunday, June 29th
Norris Cinema Theatre/Frank Sinatra Hall
Followed by a Q&A with writer/director Leon Lozano and producer Jessica L. Funches
MAKE A RESERVATION
ABOUT SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE
Days before his birthday and weeks before his wedding, Tate Bradley, a twenty-five year old, African-American man attempts to commit suicide. He survives the ordeal, but from his actions, it is obvious that "Something is Killing Tate." The question is: "What?"
Tate attempts to isolate himself to his apartment - hiding from the world. To his dismay, one by one the significant players in his troubled life come to check on him. With each visit, more is revealed about how each family member, friend, and enemy played a role in Tate's attempted suicide - forcing Tate to face his demons.
Selected Awards for Something is Killing Tate:
2008 SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – MELVIN VAN PEEBLES AWARD, BEST OVERALL FILM
WINNER – MELVIN VAN PEEBLES AWARD, BEST FEATURE FILM
2008 LOS ANGELES PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – OSCAR MICHEAUX AWARD (BEST U.S. FEATURE)
WINNER – AUDIENCE FAVORITE FEATURE AWARD
2008 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
WINNER – MELVIN VAN PEEBLES AWARD, BEST OVERALL FILM
WINNER – MELVIN VAN PEEBLES AWARD, BEST FEATURE FILM
2008 LOS ANGELES PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – OSCAR MICHEAUX AWARD (BEST U.S. FEATURE)
WINNER – AUDIENCE FAVORITE FEATURE AWARD
2008 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
ABOUT THE GUESTS
LEON LOZANO: WRITER / DIRECTOR / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
An Oakland, California native, Leon Lozano began writing spec screenplays and teleplays at the age of thirteen. His work was first recognized by New York’s Marvel Comics, who Lozano collaborated with to create an anti-violence comic book titled, Spiderman Stop the Violence. The book was part of a nationwide campaign to promote an anti-violence message in public schools located in neighborhoods where violence was prevalent. Born and raised in such a neighborhood himself, Lozano discovered that he could use his art to give voice to the powerful stories of the human experience.
Lozano earned his MFA at the University of Southern California - School of Cinematic Arts. At USC Lozano wrote and directed his multi-award winning thesis film, The Slowdown, which was broadcast nationally on the Showtime Cable Network in 2004. Lozano made the film under the tutelage of his mentors George Tilman Jr. and Robert Teitel, creators of the Barber Shop series, Men of Honor, Roll Bounce and Soul Food.
In 2005 the success of The Slowdown landed Lozano his next job, co-directing Walking on Sunshine. The film was produced as part of an AIDS awareness campaign put on by the Black Entertainment Television cable network. Walking on Sunshine was broadcast nationally by BET on world AIDS day and went on to receive a nomination for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special.
In 2007 Lozano wrote, directed, and executive-produced his first feature length film, Something is Killing Tate. The film hit the festival circuit in February of 2008 and has already won multiple awards and nominations for BEST FILM, BEST DRAMA, BEST ACTOR, BEST DIRECTOR, and AUDIENCE CHOICE, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, and Dallas. The film is set to play at future festivals in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, North Carolina, Martha’s Vineyard, and Minnesota.
Lozano recently wrote the feature length screenplay, Obituary Column, based on the novel written by Dan Farris and Sandra Farris. Lozano is currently preparing to travel to Africa to participate in the South African Film Marketplace, an honor awarded by the San Francisco Black Film Festival.
JESSICA L. FUNCHES: PRODUCER
An Indianapolis, Indiana native, Jessica Funches began her career in the entertainment industry at the age of seven in 1979. Her first paid acting job was with the Indiana Repertory Theatre in the seasonal production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. She continued performing in various community and school productions until high school. She directed her first one-act play in 1988 at Warren Central High School. At Indiana University, Jessica began producing and directing small, campus-wide variety shows as well as a major theatrical production. While at Indiana University, Jessica received her Bachelors degree in 1993 in Marketing and Advertising and returned to receive her MBA in 1997 in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. While pursuing her MBA, Jessica was elected president of Indiana University’s Black MBA Association.
In 2001, Jessica decided to trade in her career as an Account Executive with Procter and Gamble for a camera in Hollywood. She performed in several commercials and worked extensively with Orlando, Florida’s People’s Theater. Her directorial debut of James Baldwin’s Amen Corner made the Orlando Sentinel’s Entertainment section front cover. This theatrical success fueled her courage to leave a successful career in Marketing and apply to the University of Southern California’s (USC) prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program.
While attending USC, Jessica wrote and directed a 16MM, science fiction short entitled Frantic in addition to several digital projects. Her biggest honor, however, was being awarded one of three coveted Peter Stark Special Project grants to produce Hope’s Choice. Hope’s Choice has since won several awards including a College TV Award from the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Director’s Guild of America Award, and a Melvin Van Peebles Award. Additionally, it played at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival. The short received television distribution through HBO/Cinemax Latin America, the Showtime Network and video distribution through Big Film Shorts. Hope’s Choice continues to be shown in film festivals worldwide.
Jessica is committed to producing and directing quality projects that provide encouragement and enlightenment.
ABOUT CHECK-IN & RESERVATIONS
ABOUT PARKING
To view the full schedule of films during the Alumni Screening Series, click here.
An Oakland, California native, Leon Lozano began writing spec screenplays and teleplays at the age of thirteen. His work was first recognized by New York’s Marvel Comics, who Lozano collaborated with to create an anti-violence comic book titled, Spiderman Stop the Violence. The book was part of a nationwide campaign to promote an anti-violence message in public schools located in neighborhoods where violence was prevalent. Born and raised in such a neighborhood himself, Lozano discovered that he could use his art to give voice to the powerful stories of the human experience.
Lozano earned his MFA at the University of Southern California - School of Cinematic Arts. At USC Lozano wrote and directed his multi-award winning thesis film, The Slowdown, which was broadcast nationally on the Showtime Cable Network in 2004. Lozano made the film under the tutelage of his mentors George Tilman Jr. and Robert Teitel, creators of the Barber Shop series, Men of Honor, Roll Bounce and Soul Food.In 2005 the success of The Slowdown landed Lozano his next job, co-directing Walking on Sunshine. The film was produced as part of an AIDS awareness campaign put on by the Black Entertainment Television cable network. Walking on Sunshine was broadcast nationally by BET on world AIDS day and went on to receive a nomination for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special.
In 2007 Lozano wrote, directed, and executive-produced his first feature length film, Something is Killing Tate. The film hit the festival circuit in February of 2008 and has already won multiple awards and nominations for BEST FILM, BEST DRAMA, BEST ACTOR, BEST DIRECTOR, and AUDIENCE CHOICE, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, and Dallas. The film is set to play at future festivals in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, North Carolina, Martha’s Vineyard, and Minnesota.
Lozano recently wrote the feature length screenplay, Obituary Column, based on the novel written by Dan Farris and Sandra Farris. Lozano is currently preparing to travel to Africa to participate in the South African Film Marketplace, an honor awarded by the San Francisco Black Film Festival.
JESSICA L. FUNCHES: PRODUCER
An Indianapolis, Indiana native, Jessica Funches began her career in the entertainment industry at the age of seven in 1979. Her first paid acting job was with the Indiana Repertory Theatre in the seasonal production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. She continued performing in various community and school productions until high school. She directed her first one-act play in 1988 at Warren Central High School. At Indiana University, Jessica began producing and directing small, campus-wide variety shows as well as a major theatrical production. While at Indiana University, Jessica received her Bachelors degree in 1993 in Marketing and Advertising and returned to receive her MBA in 1997 in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. While pursuing her MBA, Jessica was elected president of Indiana University’s Black MBA Association. In 2001, Jessica decided to trade in her career as an Account Executive with Procter and Gamble for a camera in Hollywood. She performed in several commercials and worked extensively with Orlando, Florida’s People’s Theater. Her directorial debut of James Baldwin’s Amen Corner made the Orlando Sentinel’s Entertainment section front cover. This theatrical success fueled her courage to leave a successful career in Marketing and apply to the University of Southern California’s (USC) prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program.
While attending USC, Jessica wrote and directed a 16MM, science fiction short entitled Frantic in addition to several digital projects. Her biggest honor, however, was being awarded one of three coveted Peter Stark Special Project grants to produce Hope’s Choice. Hope’s Choice has since won several awards including a College TV Award from the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Director’s Guild of America Award, and a Melvin Van Peebles Award. Additionally, it played at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival. The short received television distribution through HBO/Cinemax Latin America, the Showtime Network and video distribution through Big Film Shorts. Hope’s Choice continues to be shown in film festivals worldwide.
Jessica is committed to producing and directing quality projects that provide encouragement and enlightenment.
ABOUT CHECK-IN & RESERVATIONS
This screening is presented free of charge and is open to all USC students, faculty, staff and alumni. The theater will be OVERBOOKED to ensure capacity and the RSVP list will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no reserved seating. Please bring a photo ID or print out of your reservation confirmation, which will be automatically sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Check-in will begin at approximately 4:30PM.
ABOUT PARKING
The USC School of Cinematic Arts is located at 850 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Parking passes are available for Parking Structure D and Lots M & V (across the street from the George Lucas Building) for $8.00. You must pull into Gate 5, located at the intersection of McClintock Ave. and W Jefferson Boulevard and purchase your parking pass with the booth attendant. Street parking is also available along W Jefferson Blvd.
To view the full schedule of films during the Alumni Screening Series, click here.
Contact Information:
Alessandro Ago
213.740.2804
aago@cinema.usc.edu
| Associated Person: | Alessandro Ago |
