One of the most talked about deals in Hollywood happening right now is Fox Searchlight acquiring “The Birth of a Nation”, the story of Nat Turner’s 1831 deadly slave revolt. The deal went for $17.5 million. I wrote an article and posted it to Blavity early in the week and became immediately fascinated by the framework of not only a powerful story but the manpower it took to get it to the big screen.
Well, Nate Parker’s searing BIRTH OF A NATION just became the must watch film of the year. Devastating and vital. #Sundance2016
— Jesse Wente (@jessewente) January 26, 2016
At the Sundance Film Festival premiere, “The Birth of a Nation” received a tearful standing ovation which soon turned into an all-night bidding war on who would acquire the rights.
“When the people were responding and you could hear them being affected. The energy in the room was so electric, it was so palpable. I just didn’t anticipate it. I didn’t know what to expect. This is not a popcorn film that you just watch and then go on to the next moment of your life when you leave. This is a film that is designed for healing. Every line, and the use of scripture, and dealing with the differences in the scripture, and how it’s used on one side for one thing and another side for another thing — all of those things were written in such a way so that we could have clear and honest context as to not only what this time period was about, but in a way that can illuminate the themes that are present in 2016.”
What did it take to get to this point?
Nate Parker believing in Nate Parker.
There’s four big lessons I learned about his work ethic that can be easily applied to any project in it’s early stages.
1. Sometimes you have to put up your own money.
Nate funded this film with his own dollars, $100,000 to be exact. The budget totaled around $10 million. Again, of his own money. How much are you willing to invest in yourself, even when you can’t see an exact return on your investment? Let’s do a little math. $10 million, plus $17.5 million, the payout from upcoming ticket sales, future DVD / Blu-ray / digital download sales, merchandise and more.
The total?
2. Do the work and people will show up.
You don’t arrive in Hollywood as a Black man and say, “I want to do a movie about a perceived menace who launched the bloodiest slave revolt in history. Oh yeah, he killed white people too.” Yeah, no. He didn’t quite use that vernacular, but Nate was met with opposition, receiving rejection after rejection. According to The Daily Beast NBA All-Star Michael Finley, San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker, and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks, all invested in Nate’s project to secure the budget. No one is going to stick their neck out for you, if they aren’t 100% accurate that you’ll do quality work. Nate did the research, wrote the story and starred in it. Now everyone is eating good.
It’s not about the money, or just getting the job done. Nate says the film is for “healing” and “change”.
3. Give yourself time
This was not an overnight success. Try seven years. It took Nate Parker several years before his brain child, based off the racist 1915 film of the same name ever saw the light of day. Do you have a few years to spare in order to get your breakthrough?
4. Never limit yourself.
After a few small TV roles, it was time for film. Nate’s first big screen role came in Pride followed by a larger mainstream performance in The Great Debaters alongside Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington in that same year. He could only go up from there; Secret Life of Bees, Red Tails and my personal favorite, Beyond the Lights. Throughout the years he wore many hats; actor, writer, producer and now director. With that came compromise. He took a few years off after 2013 to dedicate his energy to Birth of a Nation. What a way to rejuvenate and earn great respect in the process.
Nate began his career as a computer programmer. Tech whiz to Hollywood director. What a difference it makes when you walk into your destiny.
Such an inspiration to find your purpose and walk in it! #BLMGirl
Thank you for reading, Kenyatta!!
I’m so looking forward to seeing this movie! These great takeaways, especially not limiting ourselves and giving ourselves time for our dreams to manifest. So many times we want that instant success or payoff and that in turn causes us to limit ourselves a bit. However, greatness is worth waiting for and taking risks. I don’t Nate Parker personally, but I’m proud of him and excited to see such a powerful Black film coming to the big screen.
Clearly from the reviews at Sundance, this is the must-see movie of 2016. It looks like it’s going to be powerful and generate conversation well outside of Hollywood. Thanks for reading!!