A Tribute to Director John Singleton

April 30, 2013

An African American Steering Committee Event

On April 29, the African American Steering Committee (AASC) presented a special evening in honor of Director John Singleton. The evening celebrated the groundbreaking filmmaker who became both the youngest person and the first African American ever to be nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Director with his 1991 debut feature Boyz n the Hood.

Following a VIP reception in the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters atrium, DGA members and guests filled Theater One nearly to capacity and the evening kicked off with a brief presentation about the history and role of the Committee delivered by AASC Co-Chair Oz Scott, and a welcome from DGA 1st Vice President Paris Barclay. Then AASC Co-Chair Abdul Malik Abbott introduced a screening of retrospective clips from John Singleton’s films curated by himself and Director Reginald D. Brown and narrated by Director Carl Weathers.

The screening was followed by a veritable parade of special guest speakers, each with their own amusing and/or moving anecdote about working with Singleton on a wide variety of productions, or being befriended by him. The speakers included: Directors Mario Van Peebles (Baadasssss!), Peter Ramsey (Poetic Justice), Craig Brewer and Producer Stephanie Allain (Hustle & Flow); Producer Steve Nicolaides and actors Ice Cube and Regina King (Boyz n the Hood); Producer/UPM Dwight Williams and Actress Elise Neal (Rosewood); Actors Taraji P. Henson, Tyrese Gibson, A.J. Johnson (Baby Boy), and Cole Hauser (Higher Learning); Producer Paul Hall (Shaft); Editor Bruce Cannon (Abduction); and Singleton’s childhood friend Michael Winters who was the inspiration for a character in Boyz n the Hood.

After the tributes, AASC Co-Chair Bill Duke introduced the evening’s honoree and the moderator, Director Reginald Hudlin, who engaged in a conversation about Singleton’s work illustrated with clips from his films Boyz n the Hood, Rosewood, Shaft, Baby Boy and Four Brothers.

A Los Angeles native and a graduate of Pasadena City College as well as the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Singleton made his feature film debut in 1991 with Boyz n the Hood. The film garnered him Academy Award® nominations for Best Screenplay and Best Director. Boyz n the Hood also earned him the 1992 MTV Movie Award for Best New Filmmaker. In 2002, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Singleton’s other directorial credits include the feature films Poetic Justice (1993), Higher Learning (1995), Rosewood (1997), Shaft (2000), Baby Boy (2001), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Four Brothers (2005), and Abduction (2011); as well as the “Marion Jones: Press Pause” episode of the ESPN television series 30 for 30 (2010); and the Michael Jackson music video Remember the Time (1993). He has also produced highly successful feature films including Franc. Reyes' Illegal Tender (2007) and Craig Brewer's Black Snake Moan (2006), and Hustle & Flow (2005), which won the Oscar® for Best Original Song. Singleton also made a rare appearance in front of the camera for Mario Van Peebles’ BAADASSSSS! (2003) in the role of "Detroit J."

Singleton, who joined the DGA in 1990, is currently serving in his second term as a member of the Western Directors Council. He previously served three years as an alternate on the Western Directors Council and one year as an alternate on the DGA National Board.

Pictures

photos by Trixie Textor

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Director John Singleton

Director Dianah Wynter, actress Angela Bassett, and AASC Co-Chair Bill Duke enjoy the reception.

DGA Members and guest enjoy the reception in the DGA Atrium.

Director John Singleton arrives with his family.

DGA Members and guest enjoy the reception in the DGA Atrium.

USC alumni, Directors Randal Kleiser and John Singleton.

Director John Singleton with his Boyz n the Hood actress Angela Bassett

Director F. Gary Gray signs the commemorative poster for Director John Singleton

AASC members and event guest speakers pose with Director John Singleton.

Director John Singleton captures his own memories of the evening before the start of the show.

John Singleton’s father, Danny Singleton, is there to celebrate his son’s career.

DGA 1st Vice President Paris Barclay welcomes the audience.

AASC Co-Chair Oz Scott speaks about the role of the Committee.

AASC Co-Chair Abdul Malik Abbott introduces the screening of some retrospective clips from John Singleton’s films.

Director John Singleton embraces the first speaker of the evening, his childhood friend Michael Winters who was the inspiration for a character in Boyz n the Hood.

Director Craig Brewer and Producer Stephanie Allain speak about working with Singleton as a producer for the films Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan.

Producer Steve Nicolaides recalls working with Singleton on his seminal feature Boyz n the Hood.

Rapper Ice Cube speaks about crossing the transom into acting in Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood.

Actress Regina King tells a story from the set of Boyz n the Hood.

Actors Tyrese Gibson and Taraji P. Henson speak about working together on Singleton’s Baby Boy.

Producer/UPM Dwight Williams speaks about working with Singleton on a number of projects including Rosewood and Baby Boy.

Peter Ramsey recalls working as the Second Unit Director on Singleton’s Poetic Justice and Higher Learning.

Actress A.J. Johnson talks about being directed by Singleton in Baby Boy.

Actress Elise Neal talks about working with Singleton on his historical drama Rosewood.

Actor Cole Hauser recalls Singleton’s third outing as a feature film director on Higher Learning.

Producer Paul Hall speaks about working with Director John Singleton on projects like Shaft, Higher Learning and the upcoming feature Tulia.

Editor Bruce Cannon speaks of his longtime collaboration with Singleton on features including 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers and Abduction.

Mario Van Peebles recalls directing Singleton in his feature film Baadasssss!

AASC Co-Chair Bill Duke introduces the evening’s honoree, John Singleton, and Director Reginald Hudlin who will moderate the Q&A.

Directors John Singleton and Reginald Hudlin (moderator) discuss Singleton’s work on the films Boyz n the Hood, Rosewood, Shaft, Baby Boy, and Four Brothers.

Director John Singleton speaks about his career.

Director Reginald Hudlin (moderator) asks John Singleton a question about his work.

The DGA Los Angeles Theater audience hears about the work of Director John Singleton.

Activities and Events Subcommittee Co-Chair Nicci Freeman presents a commemorative gift from the AASC to Director John Singleton.

Director John Singleton thanks the AASC for this tribute and is applauded by the audience.

Actor/Musician Ice Cube catches up with Director John Singleton and moderator Reginald Hudlin on stage following the Q&A.

Director John Singleton (center left) poses with guest speakers from the AASC’s tribute event.

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