Director Spike Lee, arguably the greatest and most prolific black film director of all time, completely went off on Trish Regan yesterday on Bloomberg Television’s “Street Smart.” The subject: His controversial Kickstarter fundraising campaign for his new independent film. He was brought on to discuss the controversy and wasted no time to get offended by how Trish Regan began the segment (video below). Poor Regan never had a chance really…this is SPIKE LEE we’re talking about! In my opinion, he makes some valid points but comes off a little too defensive and like an “angry black man” (which isn’t a first for him).
Spike has been the talk of the town lately when it comes to this campaign because people argue that not only is he already an established filmmaker (his new remake of the Korean classic “Oldboy” will be released this Thanksgiving), he’s also being very secretive about the details of the project that he’s trying to raise money to produce. At the time of this writing he’s just under halfway to his goal of $1.25 million dollars to be met by August 21, 2013.
Many readers already know how passionate I am about the subject of financial support in the black gay community, that same passion applies to the black community in general. I’ve had a successful project run on Kickstarter before where I raised well over $10,000 (higher than my goal), so I know how tough it can be to generate enthusiasm needed from people to open their wallets. In my case, however, it was clear that I didn’t have any other way to secure the funds and I was very descriptive about the project so people knew what they were backing with their hard earned dollars. All Spike has revealed is that the film will be a thriller about blood addiction, but not about Vampires. Uhhhh, okay.
The Kickstarter waters have been clouded up recently with the successful campaigns of Veronica Mars’ film resurrection and actor Zack Braff’s new indie film. These projects, started by people already inside the industry, raised millions with both campaigns reaching well over their initial goal. I’ll open Pandora’s Box to add that the aforementioned fundraisers were Caucasians for projects with a primarily Caucasian audience. Spike Lee is a black man. A black man in America. The same America that recently was divided after the acquittal of George Zimmerman. Will Spike Lee, the director of over 30 films and documentaries over 30 years, be able to duplicate the same level of support that an actor from Scrubs and the producer of a cancelled CW television show saw?
So there’s the argument: If you’re already rich, why do a fundraiser? I’ve wrestled with this question a bit as well. Eventually I came to the conclusion that the fans are voluntarily giving their money to support something they want to see. What is the problem with that? Technically, we do this all the time.
When people pay $50 – $400 in advance for tickets to a Jay-Z or Beyonce concert, they’re essentially donating to make the concert happen. If the concert promoters don’t reach their “goal” (in this case enough ticket sales to cover the costs), they cancel the concert. So I’m now okay with “celebrities” being on sites like Kickstarter. Especially someone like Spike Lee, who has always had a difficult time securing financing for his films from Hollywood. Like Spike’s films or not, he’s inspired a lot of young black filmmakers and broken a lot of barriers for black filmmakers in general. It shouldn’t be difficult for him to raise this money.
As I’ve discussed before, there is a clear divide when it comes to Caucasian filmmakers attempt to raise money for films and African American filmmakers try to raise financing. Even when it comes to gay filmmakers. This is not to say that ALL white filmmakers have an easy time getting money for films, but more of them do than black filmmakers. Why is this?
Black audiences constantly say they desire more content by and featuring black people, but why aren’t they more enthusiastic to support the projects and opportunities presented, especially when the level of support can be so small, yet still make a difference? True, I’ve had some success on Kickstarter before but it took a lot of begging to make it happen. Even then, most of the support came from family and friends and non-black supporters, not the general African American public.
What about Cypher Avenue? As hard as we are on black gay media, have we supported any black gay projects at all? The answer is yes. We financially supported Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear’s new D.L. Chronicles project “Episode Thomas.” And we were very pleased with the results.
Having said that, I have faith that Spike Lee will at least meet his Kickstarter goal, if not surpassing it. I’ll even throw in a few duckets to help make that happen.
Check out Spike going off on Trish Regan below:
Nick Delmacy
Related posts
12 Comments
Leave a Reply to WesCancel reply
Log In
Latest Cyphers
Subscribe Now
* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!
I’m ecstatic about it. From my experience with Kickstarter(1 failed 1 barely made goal) black people see kickstarter as begging. It is, but it’s necessary. Now that someone as big as Spike Lee is resorting to Kickstarter it adds legitimacy to unknown filmmakers like myself using it. I hope anyway.
I could only watch the first 0:58 seconds before becoming absolutely ill from watching Spike Lee in his typical bitchy, angry routine. I did however read the article presented here and I see no problem with well known figures using the fun raising route to start a project. And I agree with @Nick that details are needed to get people excited about your project. If Spike Lees is providing nothing but the “angry black man” routine, his endeavors will continue to fail along side his career as a film maker.
btw: Even though I don’t care for Spike Lee as a person, he does at least “walks the talk”. He only hires people of color for his film crew. And he advocates “positive” stories about Black people. He’s also extremely difficult to work with, but most perfectionists are..
Love Spike, but he’s gotta STOP shooting himself in the foot whenever he’s about to drop a film! I totally agree with his point, but I think he could’ve handled that interview way better than he did! Having a bad reputation for being critical and a hot-head isn’t too cool! Its just saying that he can’t discuss a matter without using tactfulness and diplomacy! Spike’s always attacking and being very critical of everyone’s work including some of our very own black writers, film makers. He should just shut up and let the work speak for itself!
You had me up until the end. So just because Spike is a filmmaker, he can’t have or voice an opinion about other films or filmmakers? That privilege is only for people who don’t make movies?
Sorry, not attacking you, I’m just sensitive to that notion because we used to hear that all the time on the website: Stop being critical of gays. Stop being critical of other blacks. Stop being critical of Obama. Stop being critical of web series creators. Stop being critical altogether. Shiiiiiiit! The only place a black man can freely voice his opinion seems to be in a Barbershop…but even then, Obama is off limits.
I too had a problem getting into Spike Lee’s initial reaction to what she “opened” with. He didn’t handle himself very well and it made me cringe, because at the level he’s on he should be adept at managing conflict in a more civil manner. He came across aggressive. I felt bad for him in a way because I hate for the world to see a Black man of immense talent and success be thought of as an “angry black male.” This relates to my earlier comment on another thread on cypheravenue – “Black men can do drama” whether they are gay or straight.
Reflecting and pondering about an encounter I had today I’m wandering whether I too looked this bad? I was provoked by the disclosure of something personal information about me in an open setting and I tried to contain myself but I got in a few choice words before it was all said and done. 2 hours later I wanted to curl up and die. I was angry with myself for letting this anger arise in me although the other party was dead wrong. I was hot for sure – too hot. It all happened so quick and I was caught totally off guard. Man, all I could think about was, “if I could do that over again I would do it totally different.” I had been on my best behavior until this happened. I think “some” people really study you and find out how to set you off. The disclosure of some personal information of mine really set me off – I had just come in the door and “BAM” I get…
@COSHAMO
We’ve all been in those situations. And I can certainly attest to “going off” on a person who intentionally decides to step in my lane while testing me.. But as for Mr. Lee, I agree totally with you. He’s been in the game for what? over 20yr now? Knowing how to handle yourself with some level of decorum speaks volumes about your intelligence and self esteem.
@Coshamo and @BlackPegasus While you both are entitled to your opinion, I think its best to look at this in context. We’re talking about Spike Lee, a man who has achieved so much not only for himself but also for black film in general, yet he’s still disrespected. Maybe not in an overt way, but he’s definitely not treated the same as his white counterparts that have achieved far less than him. So I can understand his desire to not want to eat their shit. The way she started the interview was kinda wrong when you have the man sitting right there next to you. He makes a lot of valid points throughout the interview.
@Nick Spike Lee overreacted and he was rude too. He knows the interview game well and if doesn’t … why did he make over 20 movies yet don’t know. He had no reason to be “acting” angry – in public – about that petty bs. It was not a good look – whatever the situation. He looked like KANYE’ WEST on steroids doing Taylor Swift at the awards. His face shot and demeanor on camera is critical and he should know this more than anybody. He should also know how to conduct himself in a classy manner regardless to whether the party/interviewer says anything he may disagree with. He just ought to know better and there’s absolutely no excuse whatsoever for his behavior. He has got to do better than this. He lost points for that one.
Yes, black men must always make white people comfortable and not come off as “angry” or “suspicious”…its our duty…
I truly understand why you say that @Nick, but at the end of the day that type of behavior is a big turn off – and, get this – especially in front of the camera! I have supported Spike Lee on numerous issues, but this is one where he lost me. He must carry himself with the utmost professionalism and respectability at all times – and, get this – especially in front of the camera! I still do not get what she did exactly that was cause for him to go off.
I’m kinda upset that with so many issues to discuss on this topic, the black men here focused on spike’s presentation to the white woman/audience than the fact he was disrespected from the jump or the fact that if he was making the same type of shucking and jiving films that other black directors make, he wouldn’t have to be on Kickstarter. The conversation about this topic on other sites def outshine this one. Oh well, can’t win em all, lol
I am sorry but I think Spike should have handled himself a little better. He has been dealing with elements such as Regan for a long time and should know how to handle the likes of her tactfully at this point in his career. Fighting fire with fire rarely works. Anyway, Im still gonna support him because I think he is a brilliant director and writer and I love the movies he makes