Dinner with Andre
[PRODUCER COMING HOME FOR NEW FILM]
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
When Andre Champagne left Baton Rouge for a career in Hollywood four years ago, he never thought he would be back so soon. But with the state’s movie industry thriving, the 29-year-old leapt at the chance to bring a project to Louisiana. This year, he hopes to bring two. First up is a $2.2 million film called Covington that Champagnes aims to roll cameras on this summer. It’s a coming-of-age story about the trials and tribulations of growing up in the Catholic school system.
“In the end you see that the school system triumphs,” Champagne says from across the table at Tsunami, while on a break from location scouting in the area. “Even though when you’re in high school you’re not a big fan of your parents, your teachers or anyone else with any kind of authority, ultimately those are the things that make you the person you are.”
His Favorites
1. The Outsiders (1983)—“A great book and even better cast! Who knew the level of talent it held?”
2. The Last Waltz (1978)—“Scorsese’s documentary of The Band. What else is there to say?”
3. The Big Lebowski (1998)—“One of the funniest films I have ever seen.”
4. Capote (2005)—“A gripping film about Truman Capote. Philip Seymour Hoffman is perfect.”
5. The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)—“This documentary reassured me that no matter what, you must make it happen. And [legendary producer] Robert Evans did!”
Also in Champagne’s barrel is the thriller Jimmy Hi-Five about two construction workers who discover the infamous missing body of former union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Oscar-nominated director Greg Newberry is attached to the project. As the movie’s loan-out producer, Champagne is fighting hard to persuade Cincinnati-based Rivercoast Films to shoot Jimmy Hi-Five in Louisiana.
Champagne develops projects through Emerge Motion Pictures, the production company he founded two years ago to discover new talent. After earning a biochemistry degree and working as a master trainer at famed Sports Club Los Angeles, Champagne decided to pursue his dreams as a movie producer. Emerge now is equipped to make two to four features films annually with budgets between $500,000 and $5 million.
“It’s always your dream to make a movie in your hometown,” Champagne says. “It’s a process. But I will make Covington and Jimmy Hi-Five in 2006. That’s a conviction.”
Comments
Posted by ldbonner on May 1, 2006 at 4:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck to you Mr. Champagne. I do hope we have the chance to collaborate in the future.
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