s_knight8

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-movie14aug14,1,3363305.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers

By now, the story is well-known. A respected NBA superstar has his
seemingly perfect life turned upside down after a woman accuses him of
****.

Kobe Bryant is living it.

Dale Davis could profit from it.

In a remarkable instance of life imitating art, NBA veteran Davis came
up with the idea and used his own money to produce the movie "Playas
Ball," a fictitious story that mirrors Bryant's ***ual assault case.

The independent film wrapped up shooting in Los Angeles in February
— five months before the Laker guard was charged with felony
***ual assault of a 19-year-old woman in Colorado.

It wasn't long after Bryant's arrest became national news that the
makers of "Playas Ball" realized its uncanny connection to their
project.

"I was just amazed," said Jennifer Harper, the film's writer and
director. "We were calling each other like, 'Can you believe the
timing of this?' "

Even more extraordinary, Harper said Bryant was the model for the lead
character, played by actor Allen Payne.

"In rehearsals, Allen Payne asked, 'What athlete is this based on?' "
Harper said. "I said, 'Just think of Kobe Bryant. He's loved by
everybody. He has all the endor*****ts. That's who this character is.'
"

The similarities between "Playas Ball" and Bryant's case could prove
advantageous for the movie, which recently completed post-production
work but has yet to find a buyer for distribution.

Davis is said to be entertaining offers and intends to have the film
sold before he returns to the Portland Trail Blazers to start his 13th
season.

As executive producer, Davis financed the movie for less than $1
million through World Ain't Right (W.A.R.) Entertainment, his
Atlanta-based company that has film and music divisions.

Davis said "Playas Ball" is based on a side of NBA life that goes
largely unnoticed by the public — how high-profile athletes can
be exploited because of their wealth and fame.

"It happens to athletes in general, entertainers in general," he said.
"Sometimes these are the things you have to go through if you have
money, and the extent some people will go through to try and get it.

"Being in the NBA, you see a little bit of everything. You hear the
stories, and you're in that lifestyle. From an entertainment aspect,
it made sense to me to try to put that in movie form and see if we
could get an audience."

Davis said he doesn't want to exploit Bryant's situation to gain
publicity for his movie, but he predicted the film would make "a huge
statement" in light of the ***ual assault charge filed against one of
the NBA's most popular players.

"No one is perfect, [but] I don't think he did it," Davis said of
Bryant. "Knowing him and knowing what he stands for, it just doesn't
make sense.

"Everybody has their opinion, but if I'm a betting man, I say [the
charges] are not true."

"Playas Ball" refers to the party held during NBA All-Star week that
attracts many of the stars of professional sports and hip-hop music.

In a scene that is likely to induce laughter from viewers, a woman at
the party wonders aloud if Bryant will show up. Her friend replies,
"Well, who's that?" and is admonished for not knowing the Laker
All-Star.

The movie's main character, Cedric Tinsley, is a 27-year-old NBA
superstar who is described in a press kit as "handsome, adored by
millions, talented, rich and preparing to propose to his beautiful
live-in girlfriend, a professional model." His team and the city he
plays in are never mentioned.

Days after Tinsley signs a multimillion-dollar shoe deal, a woman he
claims he doesn't know serves him with a paternity suit.
(Coincidentally, Bryant was arrested only days after he signed a shoe
deal with Nike worth about $45 million.)

Tinsley begins losing support from his friends after DNA testing shows
he is the father. The mother of the child threatens to go to the media
with claims that he ****d her unless Tinsley agrees to a substantial
out-of-court settlement.

Tinsley's life spirals out of control, leading to a family tragedy,
before a surprise ending reveals the truth behind his dilemma.

"The movie has a very happy ending," said Harper, a first-time
director. "There are messages throughout the movie in terms of
responsibility."

dave mcnulla

i wonder if jamaal tinsley signed off on it. i don't know whether it's a
common name, but not a common nba name.

dave

z_5555

If you want to call reality TV "art". I guess you can say "reality TV
imitating reality". Or just turn off the TV and get drunk to escape
all this reality.

gaseous Çlay

On 14 Aug 2003 07:58:24 -0700, s_knight8@hotmail.com (s_knight8) blurted:

<snip>

Can one of ewe HollyWeirds please explain this?

ahhh, n'mind


--
"If I end up suffering in a firey pit because of my actions on Earth, then I will regret taking part in those actions when I get there." -spott, the atheistic snott dog

mail

More dirt uncovered on that surreal movie:

"Despite the fact that the biggest film about basketball in the past
decade was the pint sized "Like Mike," Jennifer Harper is going to
take her shot, pun somewhat intended, with her upcoming untitled
feature, formerly known as..."

The full article can be read here:

http://www.8didit.com