nContrast and FAME in Birmingham

Host Chuck Faush and Music Director West Byrd recently completed a special broadcast with seven talented Georgia students in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Public Broadcasting students with a live studio audience of 250. Exclusive interviews with the stars of The Soloist Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr and student performances excited the crowd tat began with red carpet entrances and earlier screening of The Soloist.

As the remake of FAME releases worldwide this September, nContrast cameras will roll in Birmingham, AL with the students of Birmingham City Schools.

For highlights from Atlanta and a sneak peak of what's coming this September

Birmingham from The Director on Vimeo.

About FAME:

In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student's passion will be put to he test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school: a tumultuous time full of schoolwork, deep friendships, budding romance, and self-discovery.

As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they'll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. The cast includes Asher Book as Marco, Kristy Flores as Rosie, Paul Iacono as Neil, Paul
McGill as Kevin, Naughton (pictured) as Denise, Kay Panabaker as Jenny, Kherington
Payne as Alice, Collins Pennie as Malik, Walter Perez as Victor, and Anna Maria
Perez de Tagle as Joy. Their instructors include Debbie Allen as Principal Simms,
Charles S. Dutton as Alvin Dowd, Kelsey Grammer as Joel Cranston, Megan Mullally
as Fran Rowan, and Bebe Neuwirth as Lynn Kraft. Allen starred as Lydia Grant in the
original movie and its subsequent NBC series.
The new 'Fame' movie opens in theaters on September 25, 2009.


Birmingham City Schools, Partners in Education Community Partnerships

The Birmingham City Schools Partners In Education program builds sustainable partnerships among students, volunteers, schools, and organizations, all with one goal: to provide the children in Birmingham City Schools with the tools necessary to become better learners. Recognizing that the entire community – business, civic groups, government agencies, religious organizations, parents, and concerned citizens – must work together to provide a learning environment where young people grow, develop and find networks of support., Partners In Education's role as a link between schools and the community is crucial in working to improve the quality of education for the city's students.

Partners in Education:
•Provides the link between schools and the community to promote programs and experiences that work together for the mutual benefit of all
•Provides opportunities for the community to become actively involved in education
•Provides a communication structure to exchange an understanding of both the school district’s and the community’s needs, requirements, limitations and responsibilities
•Assist all students in developing the skills necessary for future academic, career and life success
•Provides an enriched learning environment for students
•Enhances the curriculum with external human, material and financial resources

nContrast

Here's what's coming up on nContrast:


The "Soloist" stars Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Academy Award Nominee Robert Downey, Jr.
Worldwide Release April 24, 2009



"Fast & Furious Premiere"
Universal City walk
Worldwide Release Thursday, March 12th

Chuck on the red carpet with "Fast & Furious" stars Vin Diesel,Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster & Justin Lin



"Obsessed"
New York, NY
Worldwide Release April 10, 2009
Star Interviews and theatrical screening



Magic City Black Expo
Birmingham, AL
April 4, 2009
http://urbanham.com/site/


"State of the HBCU"
Alabama A&M University
Key for Life: Music Industry and Lifestyle Empowerment Conference
April 15 - 17, 2009
Huntsville, AL
http://www.thekeysforlifeconference.com/

Notorious

It's been eleven years since his tragic death but music won't let him die. On January 16, 2009, Notorious relives the legendary life and career of Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. Notorious was more than an artist, he was a cultural icon. From the streets to the top of the charts, Notorious worked his way to the top and earned his name 'Notorious' from the life he led. This week on nContrast, host Chuck Faush is in New York City where he got the chance to talk one on one with the stars of the film. Celebrating the life and death of Notorious BIG are Jamal Woolard as Biggie, Angela Basset as Biggie's mom, Derek Luke as Sean Puffy Combs, Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur, Naturi Naughton as Lil' Kim and Antonique Smith as Faith Evans.


Also on nContrast is a look at Not Easily Broken, a film that shines a light on the frustrations of marriage. After years of disagreeing on what true happiness, success and love really mean, Dave and Clarice Johnson come to a breaking point in their marriage. But when Clarice is injured in a car accident, everything changes. When Dave meets Clarice's physical therapist, he begins to question his marriage.


And from the director of Batman Begins comes the thriller Unborn. When Casey Beldon tries to understand why her mother left, she is plagued by nightmares and a tortured ghost that haunts her and her family. When she turns to a spiritual advisor for help, Casey unlocks the mystery to a family curse that dates back to Nazi Germany. To break the curse, Casey has to shut a door to another world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.

Madagascar 2 Premiere

nContrast's Chuck Faush with TV Host Renae Punzalan at the Madagascar 2 interviews at the W Hotel in Los Angeles.

nContrast Exclusive: Madagascar 2

Soul Men and High School Musical 3

Boogie is the word in "Soul Men." nContrast host Chuck Faush talks with Samuel L. Jackson about the soul spectacular about the return of a doo wop soul group from the past. Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson star as the duo that gets back together after years of silence. A story about friendship and music that never goes out of style, "Soul Men" sets the soul on fire. According to Director Malcolm Lee, "It's a different kind of music. It's soul music. The chemistry's undeniable. They're going to go down as one of the great comedy duos--Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby--they're just great together."



"High School Musical 3" makes high school look oh so good. Singing, dancing, it's all a lot of fun. In "High School Musical 3", everyone's favorite high school gang is faced with serious decisions about life after graduation. According to star Corbin Bleu, it's a film about making your own choices and not being influenced by your peers or parents. It's about taking advice but in the end, making a decision that comes straight from the heart.

Coming up on nContrast

The best of Doo-wop, dancing and football--that's what you'll find on nContrast for the next couple of weeks. Host Chuck Faush travels to the premieres of The Express, High School Musical 3 and Soul Men.

The Express is football at its finest. The story of how Ernie Davis overcame poverty and discrimination to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. The first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, Davis continues to inspire college athletes today. Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid star is a film that relives the civil rights era and battles for justice on the football field.



High School Musical 3 follows a group of high school seniors who prepare for life post graduation. The film is action packed with singing and dancing from start to finish. Join high school seniors as they celebrate the end of the high school era.



And last but not least, keep grooving because it's time for some old school doo-wop Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac style. Soul Men is the story of how a popular singing duo reunites after twenty years of silence.

The Secret Life of Bees Premiere