The bulk of the soundtrack from the independent
feature film "Our Song" comes from the unlikeliest
of sources: a marching band from Crown Heights.
But this is not your garden-variety marching band. For the 60
youngsters who make up the Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching
Band, being part of this club isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way
of life.
The Steppers are just one of the many groups to have come out
of an after-school program called the Jackie Robinson Center
for Physical Culture (JRC). This organization caters to young
people ages 8 to 18 from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Crown
Heights, Fort Greene and Oceanhill-Brownsville. In total, the
program reaches more than 5,000 students, who are able to take
advantage of JRC’s academic instruction, sports and cultural
activities, as well as counseling and workshops.
JRC has even been cited by the International Youth Foundation
as one of the 30 best youth development programs in the world.
But the Steppers might be called the jewel in JRC’s crown. Not
only does the band perform regularly at pre-game and halftime
shows at Giants Stadium and Madison Square Garden, but they have
also performed for mayors, governors and world leaders, including
former President Bill Clinton and former South African Prime
Minister Nelson Mandela. Not bad for some kids from Brooklyn.
So it’s not surprising then that this band caught the eye of
a writer and director named Jim McKay. The story of McKay’s "Our
Song" goes a little something like this: McKay had just
finished a draft of a script about the friendship between three
girls. As luck or fate (or both) would have it, he took a walk
one day and a parade went marching by. McKay was so inspired
by the Steppers’ energy and talent that he decided to incorporate
the idea of a band into his screenplay.
Sometime later, as he was searching for the perfect band to star
in his film, he found out just who he had seen that day. One
thing led to another, and before long, he had cast the Steppers
to play themselves.
To add to the reality of the film, McKay had his three lead actresses
– Melissa Martinez, Kerry Washington and Anna Simpson – join
the real Steppers under their characters’ names. As part of filming,
they were required to attend Steppers rehearsals. And the band’s
real-life leader, Tyrone Brown, also played the band’s leader
(Mr. Miller) in the movie.
What really gives "Our Song" its sense of authenticity
are McKay’s script and the performances of his cast. The fact
that many of the actors are non-professionals – something that
might normally be considered a liability – contributes to the
film’s overall believability.
And of course there’s McKay’s surprisingly natural dialogue.
His mastery of the subject matter is even more impressive considering
that he’s a middle-class, white male, creating a film about black
and Hispanic girls. However, McKay has had some experience in
this area; his first feature film "Girls Town" (1996),
starring Lili Taylor, also dealt with a group of ethnically diverse,
economically disadvantaged young women.
What is refreshing about McKay is his respect and admiration
for these characters – apparent in every frame, as is his desire
to let them tell their own stories, rather than attempt to co-opt
them.
It’s obvious that McKay’s affection for his characters also extends
to the actors responsible for bringing them to life. During filming
he started a mentorship program, pairing kids in the band off
with crew members in an effort to teach them a little bit about
filmmaking. McKay has also helped, and continues to help, raise
money for the marching band.
Recently, cast, crew, their friends and family, as well as members
of the press were invited to a screening of "Our Song"
at BAM Rose Cinemas, where the film will open on June 8. The
after-party featured remarks from McKay, a wine-and-cheese spread
and a DJ, but all of that was overshadowed by a special performance
from the Steppers, who received thunderous applause.
"Our Song" will be screened
at the BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave.) beginning June 8.
Call (718) 636-4157 or visit www.bam.org for show times. Tickets
are $9, $6 for students, seniors and children under 12. To find
out the latest information about "Our Song," visit
the film’s Web site at www.oursong.net.
Donations to the Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture
are tax-deductible and can be mailed to: The Jackie Robinson
Center, 1424 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11216. Make checks payable
to: The Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture, memo: "Our
Song donation for instruments/uniforms."
