Author Brenda Jackson's Movie "Truly Everlasting" Makes History
-- New York Times Bestselling Author To Premier Feature-Length Film for Thanksgiving --
Brenda Jackson
Jacksonville, FL (July 27, 2011) -- Five Alive Films is proud to announce its first feature film premiere, Truly Everlasting, based on a short story written by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Brenda Jackson. The movie premiere will be held at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Doors will open at 5pm. The event will include red carpet entry, an opening reception, premiere of the movie and an after-party and catering by Chef Andre. Tickets for the event went on sale June 15, 2011 and are available at the Florida Theatre and Ticketmaster. A portion of proceeds to benefit the Josiephine Threatt Scholarship Foundation at Florida Memorial University.
In 2002, one of Jackson's books was selected for a made-for-television movie by a major television network. However, the project left her readers disheartened, because it strayed away from the original storyline. She then decided the next time a book about her beloved Madaris Family was made into a movie she would do it herself. "I wanted the movie adaptation to be as close to the actual book as possible. My loyal Madaris readers deserved that," said Jackson. In order to accomplish her goal, she became the sole investor and used her and her husband's retirement funds to produce her first feature film, Truly Everlasting, directed by her son, Gerald Jackson, Jr.
Director Gerald Jackson, Jr., owner of Five Alive Films, has produced several successful book trailers for Brenda Jackson in the past. The first trailer for her book, Solid Soul, was so successful resulted in the title's second printing. This achievement was extremely rare at the time. Afterwards, Mrs. Jackson returned to Five Alive Films to promote her fiftieth romance novel - Slow Burn and has since worked with the company for the trailers for Tall, Dark Westmoreland and Intimate Seduction. When she commissioned Five Alive Films to direct Truly Everlasting, she knew that the company would be a great fit for both her readers and her vision.
Jackson's movie project has also created job opportunities in the local market for some of the most talented professionals in the Jacksonville area as well as internships for students from several colleges in North Carolina and New York, Jacksonville University, University of North Florida, Jacksonville Art Institute and FullSail in Orlando.
Film making is not new to Jacksonville, Florida. A century ago, Jacksonville was known as "Hollywood East", and reigned as the Winter Film Capital of the World. The city produced scores of silent films and hosted all the major studios and famous names of the day. Jackson is the first African American romance author to fully finance and produce a feature-film based on one of her novels; and use a close family member "her son" - to not only write the script, but to also bring her story, Truly Everlasting, to light as the director.
About Truly Everlasting:
As the holidays settle in around Houston, Texas, young Austin has but one wish - a Christmas Daddy. When his mother, Felicia Madaris, learns of his wish, she turns to childhood rival turned family friend, Trask Maxwell for help. Soon, Felicia realizes that it's not just Austin's Christmas wish that is coming true. For more details, visit www.trulyeverlasting.com
About Executive Producer (Brenda Jackson):
USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING ROMANCE NOVELIST Brenda Jackson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She is a proud graduate of William M. Raines High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. She has been married to her high school sweet heart, Gerald Jackson, for thirty-nine years. She is a member of the national chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Brenda began her writing career in the eighth grade at Northwestern Junior High School, when she would hand- write stories for fellow classmates to read. Some of those same classmates remain her biggest fans and supporters. Her professional writing career began in 1994 when she signed on with Kensington Arabesque.
With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, Brenda Jackson has been a trailblazer in African-American romance. She is the first African-American romance writer to make USA Today's and the New York Times' bestseller lists for the series romance genre. The author of more than eighty novels, she is the recipient of countless awards, including numerous Romance in Color Reviewers' Choice Awards, Emma Awards, and e-Harlequin Reader's Choice Awards. She has written for the following publishers: St. Martins Press, BET, Kensington, NAL, Harlequin/Silhouette and Harlequin Kimani Romance.
In 2009, Brenda decided to take her career to the next level. She created Madaris Publishing, an independent publishing company, from which she has released a handful of her stories directly to her fans. After teaming up with Gerald Jackson Jr.'s film production company to produce the groundbreaking book trailers for Slow Burn, Intimate Seduction, Tall Dark Westmoreland, and Solid Soul, she created Madaris Entertainment.
Brenda has been featured in numerous publications that include; Essence Magazine, Cosmopolitan, McCalls, Romantic Times, Jet, Sister2Sister, Today's Black Woman and countless others. She was featured in March 2011 in Hello Beautiful as one of 25 women to know.
With no sign of slowing down, Brenda has taken on the world of romance by storm with her grace, intelligence, and most of all- with her passion. For more details, visit www.brendajackson.net
About Director Gerald Jackson, Jr.:
When Gerald Jackson, Jr. was a child, his mother took him to the movies just about every weekend. And when the movie was over, she remembers, he wouldn't leave his seat when everyone else did: He wanted to stay and watch the ending credits. What are all those names? What did they all do? That was a clear indication that Gerald was headed for a career as a filmmaker.
Five Alive Films, officially established in 2007 by Gerald Jackson, Jr., was created with the hopes to become heavily involved in the Jacksonville and national film scene. Jackson, who holds a Master's Degree in Film Production from Florida State University, also has a Bachelor in Film Studies from New York's Columbia University as well as another Bachelors of Communications from the University of North Florida.
In 2005, Five Alive Films splashed onto the scene with the local band Tracy Shedd. He directed the music video for their single, "Jumping Waves." This was quickly followed by a music video for the Washington, D.C., based jazz musician, Rob Mercer, and his song, "A Brother's Worship." It was shortly after this that Troy Sneed, the Grammy nominated Producer, Musician, and owner of Emtro records approached Gerald to collaborate on a video for the song, "Work It Out". Currently, this project is constantly rotated on the Black Entertainment Network (BET).
One of Five Alive Film's most notable projects was the promotional video for the local rock band, "Harloe." This production featured a live performance at a local Hot Topic. In 2009, Five Alive Films worked with Bonafide Praisers to produce the music video for their single, "Heal the Land." This single has been a smash hit on several radio stations.
Five Alive Films (www.fivealivefilms.com) has been very supportive of the Jacksonville film community by hosting various meet and greets, promoting local musicians through coffee house shows, and attending several film events in town, from Works in Progress to the Jacksonville Film Festival.
For complimentary tickets, movie information or interviews, contact Kattie Harvey at moviepremier@aol.com or (904) 525-9582.
PRESS CONTACT:
Kattie Harvey
moviepremier@aol.com
904-525-9582
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