The Story Behind 'Stomp the Yard'

The Story Behind 'Stomp the Yard'

'I was inspired by Cameron Crowe' - Writer Gregory Anderson

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- "When I first heard Greg was back, hanging on campus, I thought he was going through a mid-life crisis twenty years too soon," says Tenele Dennard, cousin of the writer of upcoming Sony / Screen Gems release "Stomp the Yard," opening nationwide January 12.

As audiences across the country prepare to dance down the aisles for the pop culture breakthrough of the season, the creation of the film's story has proven to be just as exhilarating. Originally conceived by writer Gregory Anderson in the mid 90's, the film is an ode to fraternities and sororities at Historically Black Universities. This has special resonance because while writing the original draft, Gregory was a student at FAMU, a historically black institution, where he and his classmates Rob Hardy and Will Packer (Producers of "Stomp the Yard") dreamed of making it in Hollywood. After college, Gregory worked on the script, as he produced independent films with Rob and Will, but eventually other projects took center stage. Gregory hoped one day they could bring that story to life.

In 2004, when the opportunity arose for a possible movie to be made, Gregory quickly dusted off the script from his parent's garage. But, taking a script written about frat life in the 90's and giving it a new millennium spin proved to be another journey altogether. "I was inspired by Cameron Crowe; a powerful storyteller. I remembered he spent a year posing as a high school student in preparation for writing the movie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High." Taking a cue from Crowe, Greg returned to FAMU to gain a deeper sense of authenticity as he rewrote the script.

Integrating himself back into college life wasn't easy. The first few weeks, Greg remained mostly inconspicuous, but as Homecoming approached, he decided to become more public. Homecoming coincided near the Anniversary of Gregory's fraternity Omega Psi Phi (members include Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jesse Jackson) and Greg's chapter Upsilon Psi was preparing for it.

"It was really great to be back at the frat house, reconnecting with the younger brothers as we prepared for Homecoming," says Gregory. David Randolph, a member of the Chi Theta Chapter (FSU), who choreographed his chapter's step show performance in "Stomp the Yard," remembers, "It was cool to have Greg around during that time. Seeing the movie and thinking back, it was like being a part of history."

The last task in Greg's research was to see if he could still "step," after years out of school. "Stepping" is a rhythmic dance tradition created by Black Fraternities / Sororities, showcased in "Stomp the Yard." Gregory recalls, "Once Homecoming kicked in, someone was going to make a challenge and say 'bruh, set out a hop.' I had to be on my game. Doing my frat's step 'The Funky Four Corners' and the cornerstone of my chapter's hops: 'Harpo Harry,' reaffirmed for me that these steps are more than just a dance, they're a spiritual baton passed on from one generation to the next."

Next up for Gregory is the Warner Brothers / Asylum Records film "American Dream" which he produced as the President of Tri Destined Films. It was announced on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that his company acquired the rights to the life story of Sports legend Coach Bev Kearney.

Source: Tri Destined Films

CONTACT: Jocelyn R. Coleman of Favor PR, +1-310-968-5624,
jcoleman@favorpr.com; or R. Zinman, fusionomnimedia@gmail.com, both for Tri
Destined Films

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