TV PREVIEW
“Drumline: A New Beat,” 9 p.m. Oct. 27, VH1
In 2002, the film “Drumline,” shot in Atlanta and starring newcomer Nick Cannon, became a surprise hit, generating $56 million in theater revenue.
Over the years, the film became a beloved classic, pulling in viewers whenever it was reaired on networks such as VH1. VH1 executives last year met with the original producers of the film and Cannon to come up with an updated version for 2014, which airs at 9 p.m. Oct. 27 dubbed “Drumline: A New Beat.”
Devon Miles, Cannon’s charismatic character from the first film who became drumline leader at the fictional Atlanta historically black college A&T, has gone on to become a famous music producer, similar to acclaimed Atlanta producer Dallas Austin, whom the character was loosely based on. Devon plays a modest — but pivotal — role in the new film.
“I feel it’s synonymous with my own life,” Cannon said on set in April. “It was my first starring feature film. I’m now a producer on the film. I got to wear my own clothes and jewelry and stuff. Devon’s done really well for himself.”
In the film, Devon tells the band, “Work ethic. Drive. Teamwork. I learned all of that right here. Until you all learn that, you ain’t going to get anywhere near a trophy!”
Jill Holmes, a senior vice president for production and development at VH1, said Cannon knew bringing back Devon was a way to draw fans of the original movie and bridge generations. “We all love Devon,” she said. “I think it adds great credibility and richness to the movie to have him come back.”
Devon’s rival and now buddy Sean Taylor, played again by Leonard Roberts, is now the new head of A&T’s marching band, hoping to bring it back to its glory days. The lead character this time is Dani, a female drummer from New York (played by Alexandra Shipp, in her first starring role). She skips Spelman College in favor of A&T because of the band. Like Devon, Dani is confident and headstrong though Shipp doesn’t see her as quite as cocky. Still, she gets herself in trouble battling sexism on the male-dominated drumline.
Cannon — a multifaceted performer who acts, sings, does stand-up comedy and hosts “America’s Got Talent” — doesn’t characterize “A New Beat” as a sequel but “a new chapter.”
“I wanted to tell a brand-new story and one for this generation,” Cannon said. “It’s all about breaking down barriers and blazing new trails with its own original spin.”
Executive producer Wendy Finerman, who was involved in both “Drumline” films, said the first movie introduced the world of drumlines at historically black colleges. “Now they’ve seen it and are familiar with it,” she said. “It’s been brought to the mainstream. It’s now more about the story of the kids than explaining the world they live in.”
This is a TV movie with a considerably smaller budget than the original. Finerman said “above-the-line” costs (directors, screenwriters, actors) were far lower. Shooting schedules were tighter as well, but the learning curve was less steep since so many people were involved in the first film. The Georgia tax credits certainly help as well.
“We have the advantage of having Nick in place,” she said. “Use the Nick machine and attention. We already know what people like and don’t like. We know what music selections to make. We know how to physically attack the beast. You edit more efficiently. You shoot more efficiently.”
