It’s been thirteen years since writer and director Gina Prince-Bythewood brought movie fans the love story of childhood friends Quincy and Monica in the romantic drama “Love & Basketball.” Bythewood’s directorial debut starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps grossed over $27 Million at the box office and still hovers in the top five of favorite Black movies of all time for many people.
Last night BET aired the 2000 movie and Prince-Bythewood answered trivia questions and engaged the fans with factoids about it via Twitter. TheUrbanDaily.com’s own Film & TV Editor ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@Filmfatale_NYC) even got in on the chat.
“First time I’ve been on Twitter when movie came on,” she wrote. “Inspiring and humbling.”
She also revealed that she begins filming a new movie “Blackbird” in two weeks and will consider live tweeting her 2008 film “The Secret Life Of Bees” if she gets the heads up.
There is nothing quite like a live exchange but here are 13 things we learned about “Love & Basketball” from its director, Gina Prince-Bythewood.
13. Tyra Banks character Kyra was more focused that we thought…
“There was a scene in the original cut where its clear she is in it for the nba life. but had to cut it for time.”
12. Need a good slow jam? Roger that.
“Example of how you can have great performances, but you also need the perfect song.”
11. Seek and you shall find…
“.@ErikaRingor@AVAETC i found you in an open call for female ballplayers! knew you were special when i saw you.”
10. Like father like son…
“Wish i was that smart, but i needed omar in a goatee to look older. that was the hot look back then.”
9. Maxwell almost didn’t make it…
“.@atGreerR maxwell song was 2 much for our budget. tried 40 diff songs but nothing worked. begged studio & they finally gave in. so grateful”
8. Tyra took one for the team…
“we were able to afford 2 fly 2 spain 2 shoot because Tyra agreed to wear a virgin airline uniform in scene”
7. She got game
“hired a basketball double for that scene but sanaa trained so hard i never had to use her! kind of actress a director loves.”
6. And she got game, too…
“i used to play ball with wendi. when i was casting i thought she might be good & told her to audition. she rocked it.”
5. This virgin flight was bumpy, however
“got call from studio after they watched love scene. didn’t think she was enjoying it. told them 1st time isn’t that great.”
4. A mother’s tears
“its marvin gaye, but i forgot the song title!”
3. Mama’s outrage came from the heart
“.@Haynesness@AlfreWoodard wish i could take credit for the line but the genius alfre woodard ad libbed that one. made me crack up too.”
2. “Our Destiny” was destined to be…
“.@teefin24 original song in that spot was TLC “unpretty.” was so dope but couldn’t afford it. then we “our destiny” came in & I loved it too”
1. Scarred…
“.@FilmFatale_NYC in original draft, quincy knocked out her front tooth, but when i cast sanaa, thought using her real scar would be cooler.”
Follow Gina Prince-Bythewood on Twitter @GPBMadeit !
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