Twelve Year Old Nickelodeon Star Produces And Premieres Inspiring Youth Film
Submitted by: The R Agency
2008-07-14 23:02:34
New York (OPENPRESS) July 15, 2008 -- Twelve-year-old Jordan Coleman, the voice of Tyrone (the moose) on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. show The Backyardigans, is raising his voice to encourage African-American boys to stay in school. Using earnings from his voiceover career, Jordan's youth film "SAY IT LOUD!" will be shown in seven cities this summer as part of AMC Entertainment's AMC Summer MovieCamp® program.
Challenged by his parents to give back to his community, Jordan, an honors student at the Hackensack Middle School in New Jersey, conceived "SAY IT LOUD!" Jordan believes his film will inspire black boys to study hard and stay in school. According to statistics, less than 50% black boys graduate from high school in the United States.
"When I heard the statistics about African-American boys and education I was shocked and sad," said Jordan, an aspiring sports reporter. "I knew the numbers were low, based on what I see at my own school…but I had no idea the situation was this bad."
"Those of us at AMC who saw Jordan's movie were impressed with his desire to make a positive contribution to society," said Melanie Bell, vice president, Corporate Communications, AMC Entertainment."
In hopes of reaching his peers, Jordan enlisted the help of musical artists, businessmen, politicians and athletes whose larger-than-life status makes them an inspiration to young people. Jordan's film includes appearances by Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Master P, Winky Wright, Michael Strahan, Rev. Al Sharpton, Yung Joc, Hurricane Chris, Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, Biz Markie, the Mayor of Newark and others.
"Hopefully, when black boys see my movie they will be inspired to get a good education and to do something positive in their own community," said Jordan. "I had so much fun making the movie and meeting celebrities. Kids get tired of hearing about the importance of education from their parents so I think they will be happy to hear that Kobe's parents took him off the basketball team if he got bad grades and Vince Carter's parents required him to have a 3.0 average."
Popular with grandparents, parents and kids, AMC Summer MovieCamp provides entertainment suitable for all ages. This year's program will feature a selection of the top-performing G- and PG-rated films of 2007 on Wednesdays June 25 through August 6, 2008.
A nominal fee of $1 per guest will be charged, with all admission proceeds, excluding taxes, going to AMC's charitable partners -Variety-The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. AMC will screen "SAY IT LOUD!" in New York, Washington D.C., Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Miami as a double feature following the Wednesday morning film (see list of designated dates below).
Jordan, who has also penned a book "Say It Loud: The Reel Deal & Behind-The Scenes Stories," will travel to each of the seven cities where his movie will be shown to host meet and greets with moviegoers.
"I am excited about being part of the AMC Summer MovieCamp," said Jordan. "I dreamed of seeing my movie on the big screen, but AMC has made it possible for me and thousands of people to see "Say It Loud!" in theatres."
Here is a list of dates and locations for Jordan Coleman's "SAY IT LOUD!"
6/25 - New York; AMC Loews Magic Johnson Harlem 9
7/2 - Washington DC; AMC Loews Magic Johnson Capital Center 12
7/09 - Kansas City; AMC Barrywoods 24
7/16 - Chicago; AMC Crestwood 18
7/23 - Atlanta; AMC Southlake Pavilion 24
7/30 - Los Angeles; AMC Loews Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15
8/06 - Miami; AMC Aventura 24
For More Information about "SAY IT LOUD!" screenings at selected AMC Movie Theatres visit www.sayitloudfilm.com or www.amctheatres.com/smc.
