Special Bay Area Film Screening: A Tough Act To Follow

NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM EXPLORES THE TOUGH JOURNEY &CHALLENGES FACED BY, PEOPLE OF COLOR, LGBT ENTERTAINERS
September 12, 2016- In an age where you can turn on primetime television or your favorite Netflix or Hulu series and see shows with more diversity than ever, that include more characters of color and LGBT people, the reality of performing artists who work in, or are climbing the ladder of the showbiz industry is a lot different, with various challenges that make the experience confined, difficult and more challenging. This statement is evidenced by the growing tension around the continuing lack of opportunities that exist in Hollywood, the growing tension over black and minority films not being acknowledged at awards shows, like the Oscars. The conversation about diversity in media and entertainment is reaching a boiling point.
"A Tough Act To Follow" is a documentary film that follows some of the experiences of Sampson McCormick, (Sampson), a touring, black, LGBT stand-up comic and writer, who navigates the already difficult business, as well as many of the added hurdles and setbacks with lots of humor, a few tears, heartfelt honesty and admirable determination. Through humor as well as serious inquiry, it focuses on the homophobia, sexism and sometimes racism and other challenges that affect the level of visibility of diversity in comedy houses, television, on stages and opportunities for minority artists in the entertainment business. The film will be playing at film festivals around the country through the Fall of 2016, and eventually make its way to Netflix. The film, is produced by Sampson and Todd Clark (Emmy Award Winning Producer, The DC Place) and features a notable television, film and stage stars that include Sinbad (A Different World, Houseguest), Luenell (Borat, American Hustle), Darryl Stephens (Noah’s Arc, Boy Culture), Adele Givens (Def Comedy Jam, Queens of Comedy), and a soundtrack provided by LGBT hip hop artists Bry’Nt, Kaoz, Tim’m West, Marck Angel, Nhojj and folk singer Toshi Reagon.



The special Oakland premiere takes place on Monday October 10, 2016 at 6PM at Club BNB 2120 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612. Tickets are $10 will be available at the door or online at: https://oaklandscreensatoughact.eventbrite.com