The production team's first meeting took place at my house. I had ideas and a color scheme in mind, how I wanted the movie to look, because that has to be a real collaboration. Debbie Allen collaborationcolorhouse Change image and share on social
Even when you have a big budget, you can't just shoot everything. Debbie Allen bigbudgetshoot Change image and share on social
It's kind of dangerous to cut in the camera, but that's the only way I know how to direct. Debbie Allen cameracutdangerous Change image and share on social
The riot isn't seen in the movie, but it is alluded to. He has this one speech that gives a great sense of texture and paints a picture of what was happening in Harlem then. Debbie Allen alludegreathappen Change image and share on social
The clothes back in those days were made so much better than clothes are today. They actually took time to make clothes to fit a woman's body. Today they make clothes that fit sizes, so it stretches to fit this and that. Debbie Allen backbodyclothe share on social
I use something that is a real staple in the directing world. It's called a dance floor. You lay it down so that it's so smooth you can roll around, and you can put furniture on top of it. It's seamless and you don't see it. Debbie Allen calldancedirect share on social
Michael Ralph brilliantly plays the street prophet, a West Indian who foreshadows the Harlem riot. Debbie Allen brilliantlyforeshadowharlem Change image and share on social
But it was not possible to do this movie, in this matter of time, without a solid rehearsal period. Debbie Allen mattermovieperiod Change image and share on social
You have to examine a scene on the page first. Then you get into the basics of acting: Who are you? Who are you talking to? How do you feel about that person? Debbie Allen actbasicexamine Change image and share on social
The biggest challenge was that we had to shoot so quickly and with such a limited budget. Debbie Allen bigbudgetchallenge Change image and share on social
