HOUSTON INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER COURTNEY GLAUDÉ’S COLLABORATION WITH MONIQUE FOR BET’S THE READING IS CHANGING EDUCATION

By d-mars.com Exclusive Interview

Houston native, writer, filmmaker, director, and writer Courtney Glaudé was not expecting the success he received after his vision for the BET+ thriller, The Reading. The film, which stars actress and comedian, Mo’nique, has thrust the visionary into a well-deserved spotlight.

Executive produced by Fox’s Empire, Lee Daniels, the film was released on BET+ on February 2, 2023. It has since been ranked as one of the top 10 movies nationwide and on IMDb. Not bad for a guy who didn’t take the conventional route to study filmmaking. As a matter of fact, Glaudé exclusive with d-mars.com revealed why his road to cinematography wasn’t the same as others, and [the medium] was a kid and the kid didn’t know who Bobby Brown was, he said. “It was his reaction to it, I was like ‘I want to write a movie where a medium gets a reaction like that.”

When asked about how he felt regarding the metric of success post the film’s release, Glaude said, “It still hasn’t hit me, you know? Like I ‘see’ it happening, but it still has its surreal moments for me. And as a filmmaker, as a creative, this is one of the many highs.” Glaudé’s said he shot the film and received critical feedback from Daniels on how to perfect his craft. “He invited me over to his house and would be like ‘Now you see this here? What were you trying to tell the audience? If you’re going to this then take out that and if you’re going to do that, take out this.’” corporate office, where they spoke with executives and heard tips on how to excel in the workplace. After they spoke with executives, they received a surprise visit from Serial Entrepreneur and Clark Atlanta Grad, Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan. Cole discussed Maximizing Your Passions, How To Navigate In Your Lane When Others Are Selling The Same Product As You, Using Your Platform For A Greater Cause, and Balance Between Self, Personal, and Business Life.

However, the independent film’s main character, played by Mo’Nique, sold the movie. “She was so great to work with and she said, ‘Don’t give this part to anybody, it’s mine.’” The director’s instincts paid off and so did the film.

Before wrapping the conference, special guest, Discovery Channel’s Ghost Brothers Co-Star Dalen Spratt, held a concurrent session where he spoke to scholars about The Art of Negotiations and getting the salary you deserve. To learn more about the Panda Cares Scholars Program, go to UNCF.org/PandaCares.http://www.uncf.org/ PandaCares

Source: Lemon Lime Light Media

The idea behind The Reading came from a moment Glaudé had after watching New Edition alum, Bobby Brown, interact with a child medium, “Bobby Brown was getting interviewed by a medium

Shot in Houston, Glaudé detailed how he rediscovered beauty in areas of Houston such as the rural landscape of Humble to the historic parts of Third Ward saying, “My city houses some recognized Black people in their greatness and shooting the film reminded me to appreciate this backyard of mines.”

The director may have flexed his skills behind the camera but another project he was attached to was Retrospective Reflections Of A Life: An Evening Of Poetry & Prose With Antwone Fisher. Debuting as a one-night special benefitting the poetic event benefitted Highways & MoSamp Entertainment in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 2002 self-titled film starring Denzel Washington.

“I’ve said it a few times now but I’m not retelling that story. In a movie, you can only do so much with time. But with this project, I just wanted to dig more into what made him who he was outside of the movie.”

Glaudé was honored in February by Houston Council Member, Ja’leah Davis, who presented him with a proclamation from the city of Houston.

“If I could tell my younger self anything about what to look for now, I’d tell him, ‘Take your time in everything you do because your process isn’t [God’s].

The multifaceted creative is a testament to his own ethics and dedication to the craft. To stay updated, visit www.courtneyglaude.com and follow his social media @courtneyglaude.