August 2, 2004

BILL'S REPORT
August 1, 2004

BB - Michael is tutoring Bow Wow, they've actually got to work today (Sunday), they worked yesterday and today.

RST - Does it look like Bow Wow will be able to catch onto most of the moves?
BB - Yes.

RST - How is he taking it, does he get frustrated or does he feel like he's catching on?
BB - Little bit of both but he's a trooper, he's a hard worker for sure. [He] is really kicking butt and working his little heart out.

RST - What scenes were shot last week?
BB - They let the guys go on their own for three minutes - they went wild. This was the doubles, all the best skaters on the film they were let go and it was pandemonium, it was crazy. The camera guy got scared because Michael came too close to the camera, he was flying. This went down Friday night, [July 30th]. They were skating so fast that the camera man was frightened they were going to run into him.

RST - Was this at Lynwood?
BB - No, it was at Fleetwood. Lynwood is just being finished, they'll probably finish it today because we'll be all over that place come Tuesday, (Aug. 3) - that's when the big move takes place, we're moving, the cast and crew.

RST - Is the scene with the doubles going to be part of the montage?
BB - I think that part's going to be at the end. They took off their doubles clothes and put on other clothes and went berserk. They were like horses let out of the corral.

RST - Who was on the floor, Michael, Anthony, Diddy, Mahaujah?
BB - There are four doubles. Michael is X’s double, Mahaujah is Sweetness’’ double, Diddy is Junior's double, Anthony is Naps’ double.

RST - Who is playing Junior?
BB - A kid named Brandon [Jackson], he's a comedian.

RST - Were you proud of Michael?
BB - I was proud of him throughout this whole film, everybody thinks he's amazing like he is.

Michael got everybody crazy- it was heavy. Malcolm and the assistant director, everybody - they don't know what to think of him, Michael. They say I created a monster and that I sic him on people. They think he's excellent and he is. I just sit back and watch him hurt people, busting em up, they don't know what to think of him. He's just hurting everybody, the doubles they don't know what to do with him. Nobody knows what to do with him but me.

RST - They try to hang with him and can't?
BB - Can't even come close, he just goes off. I think if the assistant director wasn't married, she'd probably marry Michael, she really is impressed with him because he can give them whatever they want.

RST - Mike did most of the routines, how are they coming along?
BB - Good, they are tough and the guys are putting in a lot of work. I took Mahaujah to the rink last night because he wanted to practice and I tutored him for Sweetness’ role.

RST - How's Wesley coming with his routine?
BB - He's very excited about it, he wants to get it right. Sometimes he doesn't even take lunch because he's working on it so hard. One day he had a blister on his toe and he was still working, he wants to earn his pay.

RST - Did he tell you he'd watched the documentary 21 times?
BB - That was heavy. He wants to get his double fired, (laugh), he wants to send his double home. He's a real professional.

Also, the High Rollers, one of the groups in the film, are great guys. They are from different parts, they ride their motorcycles and SUVs to get to rehearsal.

RST - Is there starting to be a panic about meeting the filming deadline?
BB - The deadline's the 23rd. If we finish then, we're within the time frame. I had a fight with the executive producer yesterday because he yelled at me and I said ‘that's not a good thing to do.’ But I don't think he'll ever do that again, he ended up apologizing because he got upset and flew off the handle. I let him know he flew off with the wrong person.

RST - Has anyone else been giving you any mess?
BB - No, everyone else is cool. The lighting people, everybody, they give me super respect.

- Stay tuned for more reports -

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August 4, 2004

BILL'S REPORT
08/01/04
Part 2

BB - ...I’m gonna be starting a membership but it’s gonna be exclusive to serious skaters only and they're going to be auditioned by me so they better get on the case and start learning how to skate for real. The criteria's gonna be, as far as skating is concerned, people are gonna have to know how to do a hockey stop, preferably on both left & right side or at least on one side.

I’m going to be giving an audition right after the film, details are still being worked out. It will be when I get back to Atlanta.

RST - Is this part of what you and Tyrone are doing together or is it something separate?
BB - Yeah, but the membership is separate. It will be exclusive and limited to 1000 members only, so if you want to be a member you're getting a heads up in advance so you can get on the list.

Also, they'll have to have great character, not good, I want it stipulated GREAT character not good, you have to be able to get along with others and be willing to listen, just like that.

RST - But they have to know hockey stop? Most skaters don't know how to do that.
BB - That's gonna be criteria, so those that want to be members of Jammin Entertainment, you're gonna have to step it up because most of the people, the extras when they say ‘Cut!’ [during a film shoot], you hear them trying to stop, dragging their feet because they don't know how to stop.

RST - So how will they learn how to do the hockey stop?
BB - Like I did, they're gonna have to learn it. That's a prerequisite to be a Jamma because it’s not just the membership, I don't just want the money I want the talent, the money takes care of itself. ....I’m not looking for friendship, I’m looking for talent cause in the next 10 years this is going to be the best thing happening in sports. It’s only gonna be those who can cut it - that's the only way I’m gonna get the best.

I’m going to start recruiting people via the internet and when I meet them physically I’m going to do it the same way we did it for the movie - have people come and audition. I don't want them to come unprepared. Everybody's going to have to learn skate stop.....

RST - Is this just for the [television] pilot you and Tyrone are working on?
BB - It’s in conjunction, the pilot is going to consist of different groups. There will be people sitting in the audience, there will be performers, etc. [The pilot is set to be filmed in September during the Atlanta Skate-A-Thon weekend]

RST - Is Jammin Entertainment your and Tyrone’s creation because I recall that was the name on the documentary?
BB - Jammin Entertainment was introduced in the documentary. Tyrone and I are partners.

RST - So once the pilot is shot, that piece is finished until a series or something comes out of it. What happens after that in Atlanta?
BB - After the pilot, I hope there's a lot going on in Atlanta. Anybody that's close to me will be the creme of the crop because that's where I’m going to be for the moment. I’m going to be centrally located at some point and I’m gonna have people flying in, driving in, etc.

RST - I assume you'll have Michael with you wherever you go.
BB - Yes, Mikey goes with me......I’m gonna set it up where he has his own deal, I want him out of my shadow because he’s his own guy, he’ll have his own parade. I'm just his teacher and that's it but he has taken what he’s learned and he’s out there doing his thing so I want him to have his own stuff. There’ll be me and him [separately] and then there’ll be me and him together.

I'm gonna design and put together the baddest and the most serious roller skaters in the world.

I will initially know how people feel about becoming a member of Jammin Entertainment. Their participation in it long term will let me know everything about the person because seeing is believing in most cases, especially when it's something physical - either you've got it or you don't. There's a lot of talent out there, people that have been skating that want to change. I have guys who've changed their wheels already here in Chicago.

RST - Who has changed their wheels already?
BB - [The young guys playing the role of] The Cocky Boys.

I'm not gonna knock anybody or anything like that. I only want the people who are willing to learn. So we don't have to talk about anybody or anything, I only want people that are interested in what I want to do. I don't want to deal with anybody who wants to do otherwise because what I'm doing is for roller skating, not for the people who do it. I'm doing this for skating so if you're a part of that, you're just like me. If you're not doing it for roller skating don't do it for me, do it for skating. Leave me out of it. You think ‘how much do {I}love the sport?’, that's what I want. I don't want anybody that don't love it, that doesn't want it to go to this level because anybody who's not on this level ain’t gonna be on no level at this point.

I want to make as many people shine as I can for the love of roller skating and that's how I want it. This way people don't have to say nothing to me, they just have to come up under the guide rules I will put there in terms of protecting what I love. So I don't want no bums, I want people that are energetic, that are bringing something to the table, they can follow orders and/or instructions and won't be talking me to death, just listen. That's the way I work. So if you can't do that, don't even get involved. When I talk, everybody listens but there will be a time for them to talk.

RST - Are you looking for people 18 and up or is there an age limit?
BB - Definitely I want young people, it's going to be tough for older people because they're gonna have to be exceptional. There's not gonna be room for people who are not exceptional.

They can start putting their names in for the auditions ASAP but don't put your name in if you're not ready to work and change and have the right equipment. It's gonna cost them to get started because there's gonna be equipment involved, so don't be coming if you're not ready.

....There's not going to be one person in this organization that I don't know personally because I'm gonna screen each individual. I want girls, guys, young & old - whoever can cut it, that's who I want. If you can't follow instructions, if you have trouble with that don't apply. The only difference in what I'm doing and the military is that you don't have a uniform.
Unfortunately, If you weren't brought up right, it's not my fault so don't come to me with nonsense because you will be immediately dismissed. Nobody's gonna have to sign anything, it's gonna be on their word, their merit. If you don't have it, don't come because there will be people who don't want to come and that's good. I know I'm not going to get everybody, I'm not supposed to get everybody I'm supposed to get everybody who wants to come.

There will be special people with special talent and I'm gonna find out who's got that. I want the best skaters that I can get, that's what I want. There's gonna be people in positions of taking charge, I want them, leaders and those that are followers, I want them to be good followers. Those who are leading, I want them to be good leaders and I happen to know both. I have those qualities myself, I'm a leader and a follower, I know how to do both but in this I'm leading, for sure.

I can't do it without the people I'm talking about so if you ever wanted to be recognized for the sport you love, you're with the right person. There are leaders and there are people who claim to lead, but real leadership is only in the hands of a few.

RST - Thank you.

NOTE: For more info on the membership club or future auditions, send your questions and contact info to: jammininfo@rollerskatingtoday.com

- Stay tuned -

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August 5, 2004

BILL ANSWERS
08-05-04

[Reader question] - Regarding Bill's comments about this Jammin' Entertainment, is he planning on changing the sport to one particular style? Is he going to create a new style with a little of everything or what? Just curious.
BB - It's going to be the most versatile style ever. The whole object of Jammin is to incorporate any given style at any given time so it's a matter of fact that in order to really Jam you have to be able to skate more than one style in the first place. It's up to the individual how many styles he/she wishes to incorporate... so I'm not trying to make a style dominant in any way - this is not for anyone to say you have to skate any particular style. It's like a pancake house, it's up to the individual how many styles they wish to learn to skate at a certain level. It's individual choice.

[Reader question]  I agree. What is about the hockey stop that everyone should know. For a lot of people it's not the easiest to learn and that being the case why do it ! That is an East coast style to my knowledge, (Bill Butler) and not done here on the west coast not unless they have inline skates on. To make a comment like "my way or no way" is not a good way to get people to join anything. The beauty of skating is that people develop their own style (moves) that sets them apart from how other people do it. It's great to give people a foundation then let them run with. Mike skates exactly like Bill taught him, but now Mike has taken what he learned and developed his own moves that Bill cannot do (age) and that's the way it should be. No one should be penalized because they can't do a certain move because they may have other strengths that set them apart. There are a lot of old timers (me) that can put these young skaters to shame on knowledge and skill alone wishing one day to learn from us. A good skater maybe a lousy dancer and a good dancer may not skate very well at all, but whatever it is that he is good at so be it.

BB - In reference to the hockey stop, skate stop is skate stop so it's either a hockey stop or any other stop. It's up to individuals to learn how to stop - period. Hockey stop versus any other stop is fine with me, I don't have any qualms about how one person stops, as long as they can stop, so let them figure it out like I did. It's strictly up to the individual.

No individual at any time has to learn The Technique, it's there for anyone who wishes to learn it. I'm not advocating that anybody skate like me, first of all they're not gonna skate like me to begin with, they're gonna skate like they skate. All I'm saying is that skate stop is skate stop, I have my way of doing it because I’ve put ‘x’ together. No one has to skate this style. I say again, it's best, as far as skating is concerned, that you learn the Jammin Technique so that your stopping abilities will be better. This style is an enhancement of any skating style, that's what I'm saying. The Jammin Technique ... makes you a better skater - whatever level you wish to go to is up to the individual.

That's what I mean by skate stop - come up with a way in your particular style how to handle stopping, end of story. No one has to learn a hockey stop, you don't have to. That's up to the individual, I'm just saying that one must learn to skate and one must learn to stop however he/she can do it. I just have a particular way that I do it.

RST - So when you say it's a prerequisite to know the hockey stop, is that just for your membership club?
BB - Yes, that's for people who wish to skate at this particular level of roller skating. This is who I want to skate with me, that's what the prerequisite is. No one has to learn hockey stop but if you want to skate the Jammin technique/style you should learn the hockey stop. There are many different stops within skate stop, there are many that I do and a hockey stop is one of them.

I should say a prerequisite to wanting to skate the “Jammin style/technique” is that you are required to learn the stops within that style. Everybody wears shoes but they wear different kinds of shoes, it's like that. At the same time, when you get shoes you get the size that you wear so you don't get another size. It's the same thing with skate stop. In order to skate the Jammin Technique you have to learn how to stop, so let's not say hockey stop, let's say the individual has to learn how to stop.

In order for a skater to skate well and dance well, he/she has to learn how to stop. So they can figure it out and you know what, they can call it whatever they want. All I'm saying is that you must learn how to control space as you're using it. You have to learn how to plow which is essential in the Jammin Technique.

I'm not advocating that no one has to learn the hockey stop, but if you want to skate the Jammin style then you should learn it but no one is being subjected to anything they don't wish to do. If they wish to skate this style then they have to learn these things. I don't advocate anybody do anything, they can do whatever they want but I’ll say this...you should learn how to control space.

Skaters for years and years, which I’ve found since I’ve been out and about, cannot control space because they either run into somebody, duck and dodge and this sort of thing but they have no control to dance because they can't control their space. The point is to be able to control space so that has nothing to do with the hockey stop, it's about the individual controlling space.

There will come a time when a skater will have to control space immediately, because I’ve found that to be since I’ve been here in Chicago working on this film. The moment the director says ‘Stop!’, by the time the individuals (and it varies) stop, they are 5 or 10 feet away, so that speaks for itself.....I say, learn how to stop, so if it's a hockey stop - great! If it's any other stop, that's great.

RST - So what you're emphasizing is that skaters should know how to stop all of a sudden or instantaneously?
BB - In certain instances and for the most part, learn to plow for sure because you can control space with the plow using right or left foot. A plow can be used to change the speed for you to either (1) stop or (2) change direction in a different speed. Learning the application of the vertical down pressure slows one down, that's an art in itself.

If you're going to skate, not with me, but if you're going to skate period you should learn how to control space by learning how to plow or learning how to skate in the round, meaning slow yourself down in the round like roller blade skaters....It’s a different approach to stopping because of the design of the skates that you're wearing, indoor/outdoor, depending on what it is, you have to have that information to use that equipment you're wearing.

No, it doesn't have to be a hockey stop all the time. An individual has to learn to control his/her space and in doing so, you have to learn how to maneuver and work with the equipment you're using.

I'm not talking to anyone that doesn't wish to discuss this style or technique. I only want to talk to people who are digging on what I'm doing, I'm not talking to the general public, I'm looking for people that wish to discover the Jammin style so it will enhance their roller skating not any who think I want to rule the world of roller skating. I'm talking to people who can figure out in their mind that what I have to offer is the best in what I do, nothing else.

People can do what they want, I don't want to change anyone's anything for any reason. I have a style just like Versace or Polo, they make certain clothes so people that want Versace, that's what they buy. They don't tell the person in the sales department they want a Versace sleeve with a Polo collar, you understand? Or walk up to the man and say, ‘‘why should I have to buy a Versace shirt?’’ You buy what you buy, why go in a store and ask somebody something like that? Go to the store where you wish to buy what you want, don't get on my case and misinterpret me...

I'm telling people what I do. Skating has been around hundreds of years and I didn't look up the guy who invented roller skating and call him a putz and say ‘‘how come you didn't give us instructions on how to use these things?’’ You follow me?
I'm not trying to make anybody do anything, I'm simply telling people about what I do but I do say if you learn this style you'll skate better than you ever did before, so what does that make me? I should know, I’ve been doing it long enough and I haven't said once ‘‘you better learn to do it that way.’’ I have said in the past that if you want to skate better you should learn the Jammin Technique. Why do I say that? Because it's true and even if it's not true that doesn't make any individual subject to it, they don't have to do it.

For example, I'm sure there’ve been people that at one time or another they stopped to pick up the Bible but that's not the choice of all readers...If you're an atheist and you read the Bible, that doesn't change your religion or how you feel about it, you have to want to feel the way you read. You can read the 10 commandments and only do 3 of them or don't read them at all but that doesn't mean it's not there to be read.

So I'm just saying to get it straight so I won't have to answer this type of question anymore. I'm not advocating anybody do what I do, period. This is only for those who want to do it so it shouldn’t be viewed as ‘my way or no way’ at all. I have a style that I teach, end of story.

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August 8, 2004

BILL'S REPORT
8/8/04

BB - ...we just finished filming Sweetness’ intro and now we’re getting ready to shoot him in action so they can see his skating skills. Bow Wow and him now are gonna go to battle, that's the next scene. They’re working that out..

RST - You haven't shot Bow Wow's big skate scene yet?
BB - No.

.....They’re having the big skate party [this Friday] the 13th. I have people flying here just for that purpose. My guys from New York are coming and one guy from Georgia.

RST - That will be part of the montage?
BB - No, that's gonna be part of people hanging out in the rink. It's gonna be sweet.

RST - What was filmed last week, extras?
BB - Yes, we did extras and Nick Cannon's scene with him behind the skate rental where he has this big thing with Naps - we got that out of the way.

RST - He just had a small scene, right?
BB - I think he’s done, I think he’s in and out of there.

RST - Tyrone said he really didn't want to do the movie so did he have an attitude or did he seem O.K.?
BB - I heard he was a prima donna so I didn't even want to meet him....I didn't want to shake his hand or do anything with him....I don't get that celebrity [stuff], they're people just like anybody else and most of them don't want to be bothered anyway because I know how I can be.

I got this one guy he kind of digs me a lot but he gets on my nerves because he kind of like hangs out and when you look his way he’ll act like he’s not there. He’s funny as hell. I don't like that, I like people to be people like I am......

The only person who would make me want to shake their hand is Jesus Christ and I'm not worried about that too tough. I’d be in a hurry to shake his hand for putting up with all this stuff but other than that, I didn't dig Nick Cannon. I didn't even go his way.

RST - He didn't do any skating?
BB - No, he did another scene where I think he gets caught in the bathroom with a girl.

- More later -

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August 15, 2004

BILL'S REPORT
08/15/04

RST - How did the skate party scene go?
BB - It was wild, we went off. Mahaujah hogged the camera, he’s a leech and he was talking about ‘I didn't mean to do it on purpose.’ *laugh*  [He] took over, it was wild. I thought Jeremiah was going to have a baby, ‘Oh Bill, I'm so happy!’ It's so cool, Mahaujah is really kicking their a**.

It went well, we got a lot of stuff done - it got crazy at the end but it was good. My guys, Jeff [ATL] and Noricko [NY] came and we went ballistic, we went off. Jeff got a nice spot but we have to see what happens with that, nothing is written in stone until the edits go down. They’re gonna take a pair of scissors to this, so once that's all done we’ll know who's good to go.

RST - Was everyone in it, Bow Wow and all the doubles?
BB - Yeah man, he sectioned them off and Malcolm was saying, ‘Get Bill in there..straight up! Hurry up, move it!' You would have laughed.

RST - Were you a skate guard or just skating?
BB - I was just skating, they dressed me up. They put me in some sharp stuff, I had on a satin shirt with some pants, it was wild. I was just being me, Tyrone was the security skate guard but they had me skating around. You would have laughed.

RST - Are they shooting the competition scene this week?
BB - That's going down now. They’re getting into this face off which is gonna be Mike and Mahaujah, we’ve got two more solos. Their [competition] is coming up, that's the heavy stuff, that's when they face off. It's gonna be wicked, that's when the stuff's gonna hit the fan.

It's time for the trophy and all that. They made the trophy up after me, it's like me and that girl in [my book] doing shoot-the-duck...just like the picture. I was very surprised that he did that, it's very cool.

RST - Someone wrote in wanting to know how they could get your book. I told them it was no longer in print but their local library might have it available or they could check for it online.
BB - Yeah, go to the library or find some underground person selling it for $30. Malcolm bought the book and it cost him $50 and I didn't get .02 cents out of that sale. So I’ve been raped for a long time.

RST - So you never got royalties or anything?
BB - No, I just didn't know enough about business but that's all right because I’ve got thick skin, I can handle it. It's all good. The only reason I need a lot of money is because I have big dreams that cost a lot of money, other than that, I just need what I need and that's it.

...Mike, Mahaujah and I are on our way to a dinner that one of the skaters wanted to give for us and I'm glad we’re doing this today because next weekend I want to ease out of Chicago, I don't want to be hustling out.

RST - When are you leaving? Are you ready to head back to Atlanta?
BB - We finish filming in five more days, we should be done by Friday [Aug. 20 ]. I'm ready to move on. We should be heading out on Aug. 25.

- RST_Kim is returning to Chicago for the final week of filming so stay tuned for more photos and reports -

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August 21, 2004

i'm back in the saddle again, back from chi-town so look for upcoming reports from my trip and experience behind the scenes on the final (full) week of filming roll bounce.

filming was set to be completed by monday the 23rd, but the date has been extended to thursday, the 26th. although i had reservations about the film when i first heard about it, now that i've seen what kind of film has evolved from that time i can honestly say i think it's going to be a very, nice movie showcasing various styles of roller skating but primarily most of "ours" - thanks to much work of bill butler and the FANtastic skate choreography of michael johnson.

the film is going to be very enjoyable to watch and i have to give big props & kudos to bow wow, wesley jonathan and marcus paulk particularly. these actors couldn't even skate well 2 months ago but they have developed so much & so fast that they are spinning, dancing, doing the crazy legs & other moves.

i was really surprised & impressed and now i'm more motivated than ever to step up my game....especially after seeing wesley doing that "matrix" spin (that the bill butler crew is known for), when i've been trying to get that for awhile.  granted, he couldn't hold it very long but he definitely was better at it than me - so you know i'm determined that i'm going to get that move down and ASAP! i think this movie is going to get a lot of us to "step up our games" when it comes to what we're doing in the rink and on eight wheels.

stay tuned for reports and pictures to be posted throughout the week.

by the way...........there are rumors, speculations and talk of a SEQUEL to this movie, and chances are that there will be one - but it's not a for sure thing at this time. i think much depends on how well roll bounce does.

who the directors and producers will be is unknown. what the storyline will be is unknown but my report is that some execs who occupy high places at fox say a sequel is definitely in the plans.

one more thing for now -

this is a correction to a previous report about there being a real maple wood floor used for filming. it turns out that the floor is imitation wood and not the real thing so there was some confusion in what was relayed and previously posted.  the floor is nice but it is not real maple wood.

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August 24-25, 2004

MICHAEL JOHNSON's Report
Friday, 08/20/04
[Michael spent much of the day and night skating routines as Bow Wow's double]

RST - Are you ready for filming to be completed?
MJ  - Yes and no. The process is going and I need to see it completed. I can't wait for that to happen. In other respects, I'm getting a little lonely and homesick and I'm just waiting until this week is over. Once it's over, everything is downhill from here.

RST - Describe your overall experience working on this movie compared to shows and films you've done in the past.
MJ  - It's kind of the same in a way, it's just a larger magnitude in terms of having more people, lights, cameras, etc. The shows I’ve done, I have envisioned doing the same kinds of things in terms of position, location, costumes and lights - so it's nothing new to me. That's why I'm at home with all the surroundings. It's pretty cool.

RST - Do you ever get nervous?
MJ  - No, I get anxious because I want to do well whenever I'm out there, but nervous, no. It's like an excitement I like, a challenge of trying to do good every time I'm out there. It's a challenge to me so it's more an anxiety of doing well than nervousness.

RST - Did you ever get nervous back when you first started doing shows?
MJ - Oh yeah, I still get nervous now but like I said, it's more an excitement. Sometimes my knees are shaking and I'm like, ‘what's going on?,’ but I know it's from just being in the moment and experiencing the whole thing.

RST - Do you feel those splits more than you used to or find yourself getting up slower from them than you used to?
MJ  - No, it's not any worse or better or less - I'm just there in the moment and not doing anything special to keep from getting hurt. In the moment I just do what I do best and it just happens naturally. I'm fortunate to be in that way. My body, my bones, they're holding me up.

RST - There are rumors/speculations about a sequel. What do you think about that?
MJ  - I have no clue. I’ve heard the same rumors and I'm hoping that it's a good thing because if it gets really big, we do need a sequel. If that would propel skating to the forefront of developed sports, entertainment, art and maybe toward the Olympics, that would be a very good thing. I'm excited to hear those rumors - it's good.

RST - What is your feel, do you think there will be a sequel?
MJ  - Definitely. I think it's going to at least be in a position to have [one.] What I like about this is it's gonna be catered to a lot of different kinds of people - family, kids, adults and people that used to skate, they may want to come back after seeing this. I'm hoping it will get big internationally, that would help it get a chance to be in the Olympics.

RST - Would you want to compete?
- No. I hope to do what I do right now - train, do some choreography and just have fun.

- More reports to follow -

- this just in -

IT'S A WRAP!

CHICAGO - Filming of Roll Bounce was completed Tuesday, August 24 but not without some drama. There was panic on the set after Mike "Diddy" Giles left and flew back home before being released. He was the double for Brandon Jackson's character "Junior," who is part of the "Garden Boys" skate team.

When the directors were ready to film the final Garden Boys scene with the doubles, Diddy was no where to be found. They had just released Brandon who was on his way off the set when he was called back to fill in for Diddy.

"Brandon couldn't skate a lick before this movie, but he came in and saved the day," said Bill Butler. He is disturbed that Diddy left Malcolm (the director), him and the others "stranded" by leaving without permission and finds it ironic that Brandon had to be called to fill in or "double" for the skater who was his "double."

In spite of that, the show went on with the outstanding effort put forth by Brandon and now filming is complete.

The film release is scheduled for summer 2005.

- Kim Muhammad -

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August 26-27, 2004

KIM's REPORT
On the set
August 18-20
 

NEW RESPECT FOR ACTORS

I have to extend many thanks to Bill Butler for allowing me to be his guest on the movie set. If it weren't for him, I would have been no where near the place since I had absolutely no desire to be an extra. After seeing what is required of extras and the regular cast, I have a better respect for those who choose the acting profession.

Sometimes you're dealing with 12+ hour days on a hot set - and you can't leave without being “released.” Actors have to do take after take of some scenes until the director gets what he/she wants and exactly how they want it.

THIEF ON THE LOOSE......TOMMY’S TRIPPIN’

Unfortunately, there was more to deal with on the Roll Bounce set. A thief (or thieves) was on the loose and ripping folks off left and right. One day actor Khleo Thomas’ shoes were stolen, the next day, someone's wallet was taken out of the backpack they were wearing and while they were standing in the lunch line. The following day, one of the skaters in The Cocky Boys group had his CD player stolen out of the backpack he had left in an unlocked locker. These are the only incidents I was aware of but there may have been many more.

This caused security to be tightened to such an extent that I was almost put out of the set a number of times. After three days of it, I’d had enough and blew up at one of the security guards my final night on the set.

Actually, it all started the Wednesday I arrived. I immediately got busy and was taking pictures and Bill was lining up folks for me to interview. After awhile, Tommy, one of the crew members came up to me and said, “Who are you?” He was civil but I could tell he had an attitude underneath the surface.

I told him I was with Bill Butler and he got a look on his face like, ‘that's not what I asked you.’ So he snapped, “What are you doing here?” I snapped back, “I'm with Roller Skating Today.” He said, “let me talk to you a minute.”

He pulled me to the side and began explaining about taking pictures and that I needed to move somewhere else, etc., etc. Meanwhile, Bill came up to see what was going on and Tommy told him he needed to let Heidi (the publicist) know I was there, then he walked away.

I guess Bill didn't move fast enough for him because he soon was walking off in another direction and as I watched him I told Bill he was going to tell someone. Bill didn't think so but somehow I just knew he was going to “tattletale” to somebody.

Lo and behold, a few minutes later Heidi comes walking up and her and Bill have an exchange that I couldn't hear. When she left, he told me he’d explained I was with him and all she said was that I couldn't take any pictures of the actors. So that was that.

MORE DRAMA FROM TOMMY

The next day, me and some others were going to skate with Bill while the cast and crew were eating lunch. I followed Bill onto the set - he was a few feet ahead of me - and as soon as I walk in, there's Tommy standing there looking at me with exasperation. He started to say something about Bill not being in there so I pointed and said, “he’s right there.”

As Bill and I were putting our skates on, here comes Tommy scolding Bill for not telling him he’d invited people to skate during the lunch break. Bill told him he wasn't aware that he had to tell him anything and Tommy soon walked off. I'm glad he did because I think he was about to get told off.

Later, at the end of the night, I'm sitting on the side watching and they call for all the extras to move to another spot. I told the security guard that I wasn't an extra and he said,““well, what are you doing here?” He then said he’d have to ask me to step outside to which I proceeded to “snap” and I blew up at him. Unfortunately, the frustration of going through three days of that mess got to me and I just lost it.

It just so happened that Tommy was passing by so I flagged him down and pointed to the security guard with a gesture that said, “will you please tell him!” So he explained that I was with Bill Butler but said I still would have to move.

The security guard came up to me apologizing but by that time it was too late, I ended up blowing up at him again. *shrug* Oh well! That's how I get when I'm tired and frustrated and feeling picked on all at the same time.

I said I was going to come back to the board and call Tommy a “punk azz””and some other names but decided that would be very immature of me. So instead, I said I would come back and explain that it was my intention to come back and call Tommy a ““punk azz”” but that I didn't follow through on it since i thought it would be better if I acted like a grown up.

So, I won't call Tommy a “punk azz”, I’ll just say I intended to come back here and call him that but opted not to even though I badly wanted to convey how much of a “punk azz” he had acted like. But I decided to try to take the high road and not resort to calling Tommy that name,
.
.
......““punk azz,”” that is.

So, that's my story and even if I don't get invited back on the set if there's a sequel, it's o.k. The experience I just had was quite an interesting one but not one I’d want to repeat under the same circumstances.....especially if Tommy will be on the set.

- Kim -

August 27, 2004

i've just been informed that diddy is extremely upset about the "it's a wrap" story posted above and has been calling skate groove looking for my number.

mike, if you're reading this, you are more than welcome to contact me at skaterariel@hotmail.com with your number and i will call you. i have no problem posting your side of the story.

also, anyone is free to register and post on this board so that's an option too. you can do that and post your rebuttal in any way that you want to - i don't have a problem with that.

i understand you will be in atlanta and now i'm thinking that maybe i need to go ahead and try to make that trip i was told that you think what was posted was "slander" but it really wasn't, IMO.  i was simply reporting what i was told and bill was simply stating what happened. i think even you will have to admit that what happened was "major news" for the behind the scenes reports.

but like i said, you are more than welcome to post your side of the story here or contact me by email with your number and i will call you to get your story.

peace~

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August 28-30, 2004

here are some of the upcoming reports to come:

- Bill's Nuk-n-Kranni Girls (and the Billettes)
- The trials of trying to skate in skin tight jeans
- Bill, Mike, Anthony put on surprise lunchtime show
- The High Rollers - Riding High
- Movie keeping one teen out of trouble
- Michigan couple's serious goals as competitive skaters
- The art (and necessity) of Craft Services on a movie set
- plus more

also, there is one more photo report to be posted so stay tuned over the next few days (or couple of weeks).

August 30, 2004

SURPRISE LUNCHTIME SHOW

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, Bill planned a surprise show for the cast and crew which was held right after the lunch break.

He, Mike and Anthony skated an improvisational piece that was not rehearsed or choreographed.  Tyrone emceed on the mike telling everyone they were watching three generations of skaters...[Anthony (20 something), Mike (somewhere over 30), and Bill, 70.]

Many in the crowd were in awe particularly that Bill could skate as he did and keep pace with his younger partners and that they made it look like so much fun.

Pictures: