The current WGA strike brings an important separation in production to light: the difference between a scripted and unscripted show and the related yet distinguishable roles of a writer and a story editor. With many scripted shows put on hold, the best and worst of unscripted television are taking over airways- a reality TV revolution per se. While the quality and subject matter are debatable the reality genre has staked its claim on Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
Reality-based television and film do not have the best reputation in the production circuit. However, industry insiders recognize the reality genre as worthy of appreciation. In 2006 The Academy Awards honored "Crash" with the best picture award. "In a year when best picture nominees thrived on controversy, the Academy Awards’ top honor went to the film that attacked its issues most bluntly… "Crash" had strong support for its willingness to address prejudice with its tangled tale of crime and bigotry in the Academy’s hometown." (Best picture goes to gritty drama ‘Crash’. March 2006, CNN.)
The Academy and Americans alike value the cinematic telling of human drama. However it is the film that tells a story through a gritty, realistic, documentary-styled approach that hits closest to home with viewers.
Hollywood’s newest reality feature "Life is Hot in Cracktown" delves into the infiltration of crack cocaine in urban America and shows the gritty, hard realities of street life, as well as the struggling, proud people who try to survive them everyday. Highlighting four stories that come together in a climax of violence, depravity and salvation, Buddy Giovinazzo’s "Life is Hot in Cracktown" joins the ranks of Robert Altman’s "Short Cuts" and Paul Haggis’ "Crash".
What makes a film like "Life is Hot in Cracktown" engaging is that it depicts tangible social environments and inhabitants that resonate long after the film’s credits roll. The characters that spearhead their own self-discovery in the midst of controversial social issues follow you out of the theater and haunt your social conscious.
African American producer Ten Travis speaks openly about the trend of taking matters of the street and putting them directly onto the big screen. Travis is a co-producer for "Life is Hot in Cracktown" a realistic film based on Buddy Giovinazzo’s novel by the same name.
Travis explains, "The hunger for realistic film is astounding. Realism is a trend taking over television and we are beginning to see it trickle into film with the success of Supersize Me, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Crash. These films are incorporated into the social dialogue of obesity, the war in Iraq and racism- and are cornerstones to the visual documentation of the American experience. In an age where information is dispersed through media, the film industry has become a source of entertainment AND knowledge to a growingly anxious public."
Reality-based films are often subject to harsh scrutiny over accuracy and veiled biases of directors and producers. However, fact-based films are continually being produced because they are representative of American society. They also win awards and gain international recognition despite shortcomings in accuracy. Travis points out, "Realism in film isn’t about telling the truth… it is about illustrating an experience. When that experience is shared by many members of society the film succeeds by discovering a sense of the true self amidst the flawless and glamorous world of Hollywood Vixens and Vikings."
About Ten Travis
Ten Travis is an up and coming African American film producer. He began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor. He has landed roles in the play "Angels in America" and the independent films "Watercolors" and "Santa Croce." Ten began his own production company entitled Fitted Productions and co-produced the film "Life Is Hot In Cracktown" which is slated to premiere at the 2008 Sundance film festival in Park City, Utah. Ten is a member of SAG, Aftra, and has done work for the Federal commission for Arts and Humanities. Ten graduated from Georgetown University cum laude with a Bachelors degree in International Affairs and a minor in Economics. For more information please visit Ten’s website at www.tentravis.com.