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Filmmaker Jordan Coleman

By Vanessa Werts

Nickelodeon voiceover actor Jordan Coleman is no ordinary 12-year-old.  While most boys his age spent the summer playing sports, relaxing, or hanging out at the mall, Jordan was on a seven city tour screening his debut film, Say It Loud! 

The pre-teen dynamo, wrote, directed and produced the Say it Loud! film, which explores the importance of education for African-American boys.  Even more impressive, the young filmmaker started the project when he was only 10-years old. 

Inspired by a challenge from his mother to give back to the community, the idea for Say It Loud! was born.  Based on Jordan’s perception of boys, and their lack of interest in school, particularly African-American boys, Jordan decided to make a movie to encourage his peers. 

Jordan used his earnings from his job as the voice of Tyrone the Moose on Nick Jr.’s the Backyardigans, to fund the film.  

A year and a half in the making, Say it Loud! features interviews with professional athletes, entertainers, politicians, educators, police officers, friends of Jordan and men who wish they had studied harder when they were his age.  A list of those interviewed includes:  Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan, Vince Carter, Ludacris, Yung Joc, Master P, Al Sharpton, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and many others. 

           

Photos from left to right:  Photo #1:  Jordan with Rev. Al Sharpton, Photo #2:  Michael Strahan, Photo#3:  Yung Joc  Photo #4:  Master P

Click On Photos To Enlarge

Say it Loud! Promotes having a “Plan B.”  When dreams of becoming a professional athlete, rapper or superstar fall short of the goal, having an education is more than just something to fall back on.  The film also addresses what is called the “Fourth Grade Syndrome.”  A point educationally, where many African-American boys lack the basic skills to perform on or above grade level, so many give up and become behavioral problems. 

Jordan Coleman is a spectacular young man with an infectious personality, and enough wisdom for a lifetime.  This ambitious young filmmaker is well on his way to greatness. 

Move over Spike Lee!  Make room for Jordan Coleman!

 

The Jordan Coleman Interview 

BMIA: I understand you’ve been traveling to cities across the country screening the film.  What has that been like? 

Jordan: Yes.  And I actually just came back from a seven city tour around the United States.  I had some of my friends come on the tour with me, we explored different things, I signed autographs, met new people and just hung out.  It was fantastic! 

BMIA: Where did you get the idea to do a film on African-American boys and education? 

Jordan: Um from school.  I felt a little bit that in school boys don’t really care for school, they just want to be the next basketball or football star.  They want to be a rapper or the next superstar.  They don’t know that school plays an important role in being a superstar. 

BMIA: I see that you interviewed quite a few celebrities.  What was that like? 

Jordan: It was great!  I mean my eyes and my mouth opened actually when I saw the celebrities in real life. I actually interviewed Kobe [Bryant] in Los Angeles during the seven city tour.  He sent me and my brother a pair of sneakers.  That was pretty cool. 

   
Kobe Bryant and Ludacris with Jordan
Click On Photos To Enlarge

BMIA: How have your peers received the film? 

Jordan: They loved the film.  And they want to be in my next film if I make another one.  But they just love it.  They ask me questions all the time about it.  

BMIA: Why do you personally think boys blow off their education and think that it’s not important? 

Jordan: I personally think they blow off their education because they’re kind of lazy in a way.  They don’t want to work as hard as other boys do.  They just want to play sports, hang around, play video games, go to the mall and do stuff like that. 

BMIA: What motivates you for education? 

Jordan: My mom.  She’s a hard knock.  She loves school, and she pushes me hard to do well in school. 

BMIA: What is your favorite subject? 

Jordan: My favorite subjects are Math and Science. 

BMIA: What do you like to do when you’re not working or in school? 

Jordan: Ahh man...when I’m not in school and not working, I’m usually at football practice.  I love football.  It’s my favorite sport.  I eat, drink, sleep, go to school, work, and play football.  Me and my dad talk about football all the time.  And I like to go to the movies, hang out, go to the beach and play video games. 

BMIA: What are your plans for the future? 

Jordan: I want to be a sports broadcaster.  That’s my biggest dream and to play college football. 

BMIA: Do you realize how special you are? 

Jordan: Yes, I do.  (Modestly said)

BMIA: Do you have plans for any more movies? 

Jordan: Yes.  Actually I made a reality show treatment for television.  Hopefully I’m making another movie coming out about sports. 

Interviewer’s Notes: 

Say It Loud! was featured as part of AMC Theatres 2008 Summer Movie Camp.  Jordan is the first independent filmmaker to partner with the national movie chain.  The film was screened in New York City, Washington DC, Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. 

When I asked Jordan who his favorite interviews were with, he said, “Kobe Bryant, definitely.  He was the best.”  Kobe played basketball with Jordan and even sent him and his brother, Justin, a pair of snickers.  Jordan also enjoyed his interview with Michael Strahan.  “He was a lot of fun.  He was hilarious,” says Jordan.  After the taping the two talked football. 

With the Say It Loud! Film, Jordan may have stumbled upon the key ingredient in reaching our youth as he encourages and relates from a child’s perspective. 

If you missed the screening, the Say It Loud! Book is available free online at www.sayitloudfilm.com with a $15 donation. You can also make donations on the Web site and book private screenings for your church or school.  Jordan’s goal is to show his film to 100,000 people by the end of the year.


This interview was conducted on August 27, 2008 by Vanessa Werts.  Thank you Mary L. Moore from
So Much Moore Communications for making this interview possible.


USA TODAY

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