Ivan S. Harris Photography working NYE12

Special Thanks to Philip Hamer for shooting this awesome footage while I was working Hardrock NYE12.

Check out the video.  Ivan S. Harris Photography has Big Things coming this year!

Red Tails: A Story Of Hollywood Magic

Red Tails produced by Lucas Films is the story of The Tuskegee Airmen, an all black pilot training program in World War II.  The plot thickens when the airmen are called to duty from the training program.

George Lucas, creator of Lucas Films, has always been my hero seeing as he is the genius behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones and 1 of 3 reasons I became a photographer.  

To me George Lucas is the true meaning of a creative genius because he had an idea and the drive, perseverance and passion to see his vision all the way through.

Did Mr. Lucas know Star Wars would become a cult classic?  How could he be sure that Indiana Jones would have 4 installments over the course of 20 something years?

The fact is George Lucas believed in his projects and that's usually the first step in becoming successful.  I believe being an artist means creating a vision and having the courage to put that vision out there for people to embrace, criticize and consume on all levels.

Now Lucas Films latest project Red Tails apparently has had some issues with the release of this movie going all the way back to the mid 1990's as to whether the plot with an all black cast can be successful in the box office.  

Also, an another issue has been raised as to whether or not an aspiring minority artist such as myself will ever see another opportunity to create a vision and be produced on a large Hollywood scale.

The interesting thing is Tyler Perry and Spike Lee have both been successful black directors/producers in Hollywood but not necessarily by ordinary standards.  

In my opinion, Tyler Perry serves as a laundry mat airing out and exploiting certain Black community issues to a mass audience that may not understand that all Black people are not as depicted in his movies.

On the other hand, Spike Lee's director/producer approach is that of directing more militant or black orientated films and plots rather than just providing a good story with a great cast and plot.

Both producers serve as black orientated directors where as I am looking to see more black producers and directors that tell a good non-racially based story line.  

Yes of course as an artists I believe we all want to incorporate and embrace our own particular culture within our art, but a lot of movies are made with all races in mind. i.e. everyone goes to the grocery store, drives to work and has relationships.

I have had plenty of conversations where the question is why must an all black cast have to automatically be labeled a "black" movie. Why can't a cast of characters regardless of race depict a good story line as opposed to be a racially orientated film.  

Truthfully, when you go to see a movie with an all white cast is it considered a white movie or just a good movie with a good story line?

I understand Hollywood is a business and numbers play a big part in what is produced, but the fact of the matter is no one truly knows what will be successful.  It's all the studio, producers and the creators faith, belief and gut instincts that determine what big budget movies get produced. 

Honestly, with the logic behind numbers, I can't believe in 2012 this is even a problem.  Hollywood makes BOX OFFICE FLOPS all the time using an all white cast and horrible story line.  

Why does Red Tails have a problem being funded and produced because its all black with a GREAT true life story line?  

People love all types of true stories regardless of race and Hollywood has proven time and time again that remakes of real life usually succeed.  So NOW all of the sudden true break through moments in American History have an issue or it can be considered a risk?

All movies in Hollywood are risks, who knows what will be successful but to say blatantly to black actors or ANY minority actors, producers and directors that the fate of this movie will determine whether we have a chance in Hollywood is really a load of hot garbage.  

Hollywood is magic, dreams, hope and luck.  But Hollywood is also numbers so Hollywood should know one sample can not and should not predict the entire outcome.

What's the difference with taking a chance producing a movie about a fictional masked, light-saber/laser sword yielding deep voiced villain, a whip slinging archaeologist searching for hidden treasure or a fighter pilot in training waiting for his chance to to serve his country in the plight of war?

The irony about these three stories produced by George Lucas is all three story plots you can insert ANY race in the role to tell the story. i.e. a good story line as opposed to racially background.  

Regardless of what color they are, every pilot has waited for their chance to get in the air and fight.  It just so happens that the fighter pilots in training waiting for their chance in the movie Red Tails just happen to be black.  

What's really interesting is when Hollywood magic turns into numbers and if Red Tails is successful watch how many production companies want to start producing more all black casted story lines. 

I guess that's the story of Hollywood, you're nobody until you're somebody, just an artist waiting for your big break.

To me the fate of this movie isn't a risk, its a chance at history and much like the plot, it seems like its 1944 all over again.  All anyone ever needs is a chance regardless of what color they are. 

Just like those pilots deserved a chance, this movie and more movies like it deserve a chance to be produced in Hollywood.  That is if you believe we were truly all created equal.  Hmmmm.

Story Credit: George Lucas on Red Tails Production Trials And Tribulations