I recently got a chance to link up with director/videographer Jameil X Player to discuss his upcoming short film, Ballin In The Fall Of America, which will be premiering at the Byrd Theatre on June 30 at 1:30pm. This is Jameil’s second short film, about a successful black man in corporate America who is living beyond his means and is brought back to reality by the decline of the American dollar.
I recently got a chance to link up with director/videographer Jameil X Player to discuss his upcoming short film, Ballin In The Fall Of America, which will be premiering at the Byrd Theatre on June 30 at 1:30pm. This is Jameil’s second short film, about a successful black man in corporate America who is living beyond his means and is brought back to reality by the decline of the American dollar. The film is based on a poem of the same name by author Ahmad X Morton, from his soon to be released book Winters of Love. The movie stars local poet/emcee Sho “Ice-James” Morton and actress Natalie Chevonne, with supporting roles from Jazelle Foster, Diahann Bush, Terrance Muhammad, Kamal Muhammad, Angel Jones, Eva Elise Corbett, Colby Heard, and Daniel Leehy.
The movie was shot in many Richmond-area locations including downtown, Hull Street, and many others. “It took four months of filming and several months of waiting for scenes to be shot,” said Jamiel. “Author Ahmad X and I spent countless nights pondering up more ideas to make this movie a success.” Where Ballin In The Fall Of America is concerned, Jameil credits the transition from his computer screen to the Byrd Theatre to “the blessing of God.” “After one of the scenes we were filming, we were talking marketing. One of my actresses shot out the thought of trying to get a screening at the Byrd Theatre. We took the steps to get it there, and then it happened.” With an advertising campaign including radio spots on Power92, many posters, and social media, Jameil hopes for a good turnout.
Winters Of Love, the book that inspired the film, collects Ahmad X Morton’s most profound poetic work. It will be available June 30th at wintersoflove.blogspot.com, as well as in digital form on Amazon by mid-July. Jameil, who also performs as rapper Islam the Emcee, had previously put together a short film entitled Hood Movie, which is available on the YouTube channel for his production company, Visions Filmworks. You can also find video biographies of the actors, actresses, and crew members for Ballin In The Fall Of America there. From posters up at some of my favorite establishments around town to comments on facebook and other social media, I’ve heard a lot of advance hype about this production. I will surely be in attendance for this film.
Ballin In The Fall Of America is playing at the Byrd Theatre, located at 2908 W. Cary St in Carytown, on Saturday, June 30. Doors open at 1:30 PM, show starts at 2. Tickets are $5 in advance, and can be purchased online HERE. For more information, keep up with Jameil on facebook or on twitter @IslamTheRapGod.