The Session Pt. 1

This short film inspired the feature film "D.R.O.P. Squad" and was produced in 1988. Based on a short story called "The Deprogrammer" by David Taylor. "The Session" was another collaboration between myself and Butch Robinson with creative and production input from Dave as well as a fantastic cast featuring Eric Payne, Vondie Curtis Hall, Dwania Kyles and Leonard Thomas. I can't describe what an incredible experience this production was, and the reception the film got was equally impressive. At it's peak, "The Session" was screening on Friday nights at Theatre Four in Manhattan as well as touring the south at the request of the South Carolina Arts Commission. The film came to the attention of Spike Lee and eventually went on the become the first project he'd executive produce under his deal with Gramercy Pictures. Fitting in a way since, in many ways, the phenomenon created by "She's Gotta Have It" is what inspired the production of "The Session".

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• DROP
• Squad
• deprogram
• black
• militant
• vondie
• satire
• african
• american

[dcjohn62]

AS far as posting the directors cut of DROP Squad... there was a technical issue in that the hard drive containing the cut has crashed and is in the process of data recovery. I had a copy of the cut om 3/4 inch tape but I'm uncertain of the quality. The 20 year anniversary is in 2014 so that's my goal date for the directors cut. I'm working on it!

[chj2]

Drop Squad is one of my all-time favorite films. What's interesting is the different view between the Vondie Curtis-Hall Character and the X character concerning how to deal with Black folks who are buggin' out. On the real though, there's a lot of our people who REALLY need to be D.R.O.P.ped and reprogrammed. Thanks dcjohn for making what would later become the film we come to know and love. Peace!

[dcjohn62]

@chj2 Thanks so much for the love. The sad part is I can think of a few folks that could stand to be DROPed as well. We used to sell a T-Shirt with "You Need to Be DROPed" on it. It might be time to bring that bad boy back!

[dcjohn62]

What can I tell ya', we get's no love!

[dcjohn62]

Thanks for the kind response. "DROP Squad" turns up from time to time on TV One but the directors cut has only been seen by a limited few. Over the next few months I'll post my cut here so stay tuned and thanks for your support! Hooty-Hoo!

[ZagaZiga08]

GREAT FILM, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK BRAINWASHING WE'D DO WELL TO START WITH THE WOMEN DOING THE DROPPING. DO THEY NOT ALL HAVE STRAIGHT HAIR? IT'S INCREDIBLE TO ME THAT WE'VE SLIPPED SO FAR AS TO NOT EVEN NOTICE THE BLACK WOMEN ON TELEVISION IN THE YEAR 2011. BLACK WOMEN, PLEASE RECOVER YOUR NATURAL HAIR!

[chj2]

@BeYouBeTru It's not about pulling someone down when they achieve great things - it's when one achieves things AT THE EXPENSE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN PEOPLE. That's what Bruford was guilty of - the more "successful" he became, the more he compromised his integrity, his self-respect, and his sense of moral right and wrong - and the more isolated he became from his family and his knowledge of historical and cultural self. That also is an indictment on the racist environment of this country.

[SuperHalfie]

@dcjohn62  I cant find drop squad anywhere on youtube did you have the chance to put it up?

[gat333]

Black america need to be dropped and deprogram from this current

slave mentally.

This is the so-called rich people and the poor people.

[BeYouBeTru]

this also borderlines the crab in the barrel syndrome. I hate when others want to pull another down just because they r achieving great things. On the otherhand, there r those that look down on others they needs to be dropped. Each one teach one!

[dcjohn62]

I should be thanking you for keeping the Squad alive! Hooty Hoo my brotha! Hooty-Hoo!