Interview: Roger M. Bobb – Filmmaker and CEO of Bobbcat Films

Date of Interview: 07/18/2012

Roger M. Bobb is the President and CEO of Bobbcat Films. A six-time NAACP Image Award winner, he is also the former Executive Vice President of Tyler Perry Studios. To date, his various film projects have amassed over $500 million in box office receipts. His theatrical producing credits include: Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, Daddy’s Little Girls, Why Did I Get Married?, Meet The Browns, The Family that Preys, Madea Goes To Jail, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Why Did I Get Married Too?, For Colored Girls and Madea’s Big Happy Family.

Roger M. Bobb marks his directorial debut with Raising Izzie, a GMC Network feature film, which also serves as the first film produced under his new film and television production company. In the midst of promotional support for Raising Izzie, Roger M. Bobb managed to squeeze some time out his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting upon the influence of Spike Lee, the founding of Bobbcat Films, and lessons learned working under Woody Allen and Tyler Perry.

Interview: Gary Owen – Actor and Comedian

Date of Interview: 04/17/2012

Gary Owen has spent his professional career balancing – and bucking against – the racial demarcations of the comedy world. Over the past 15 years, he has earned a solid reputation as one of America’s up-and-coming kings of comedy. Although a white man with a large black fan base, Owen’s success is derived from his zany storytelling of intimate “fish out of water” experiences that prove life – and laughter – are bound universally.

Gary Owen: True Story – a Showtime comedy special – aired on May 10, 2012. In support of the DVD release, Gary Owen managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the influence of BET’s Comic View, overcoming naiveté, and his work beyond the comedy club stage.

Interview: Kim Fields – Actress and Television Director

Date of Interview: 02/08/2012

Kim Fields (Facts of Life and Living Single) is a veteran actress who has successfully transitioned into the director’s chair. Equally talented in both roles, she has spent her talents most recently as the lead director on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns. She has also lent her directorial talents to BET’s Let’s Stay Together. As the daughter of Chip Fields, an actress and television director, Kim has been developing her talents – implicitly and explicitly – for her entire lifetime.

Bitten by the “acting bug,” Kim Fields removed her “director’s hat” temporarily and revisited her first love. On February 18, 2012, the Gospel Music Channel (CMG) premiered A Cross to Bear – directed by Tandria Potts – in which she starred as Joan. The original screenplay was crafted by Cas Sigers Beedles and Terri J. Vaughn and features Angie Stone and Kenny Lattimore in the lead roles.

On November 1, 2010, Kim Fields was awarded the “Industry Trailblazer Award” by Atlanta’s Women in Film and Television organization. In support of A Cross to Bear, a trailblazing project in its own right, Kim Fields spoke with Clayton Perry about the professional “crosses” women must bear in Hollywood, her frustration with entertainment’s status quo, and learning the importance of “staying in her lane” as an actor-director.

Interview: Tamela Mann – Singer, Songwriter and Actress

Date of Interview: 02/05/2010

Interview: Tiffany Evans – Singer and Actress

Date of Interview: 04/09/2008

© 2008 Clayton Perry

Every now and again, America is blessed with a talent so bright that its glimmer is inescapable.  In 2003, this rare phenomenon occurred, when Tiffany Evans was introduced to the world on Star Search, the predecessor to media juggernaut American Idol.  Although Evans was only ten at the time, her performance has stood the test of time against her fellow contemporaries (Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and the late Aaliyah).  She is the only singer in Star Search history to receive a perfect, five-star score on every appearance.

Since being crowned as Star Search’s Junior Division Grand Champion, Tiffany Evans has spent much of her time out of the limelight—honing her skills, earning a diploma and making select appearances on the silver screen.  In early 2008, however, at the age of 15, Evans re-emerged on the R&B scene, with the support of Ciara, her mentor, and “big brother” Bow Wow—showcasing a mature version of her earlier self on hit singles “Promise Ring” and “I’m Grown.”

On April 22, 2008, Tiffany Evans released her major label debut on Columbia Records.  Upon review of her eponymous album, Tiffany Evans managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Whitney Houston, her Columbia Records experience, and growing up in the spotlight.