Unveiling The Success Of Acclaimed Director Malcolm D. Lee

Key Concepts

Malcolm D. Lee, The Best Man (franchise & book "Unfinished Business"), filmmaking, screenwriting vs. novel writing, black representation in film, independent filmmaking, directing, Sable Bourbon, career advice for young filmmakers, AI in the film industry.

Main Topics and Key Points

Introduction and Background

• Jabar Young, a writer at Forbes, interviews Malcolm D. Lee at the NASDAQ market site.
• Lee is recognized for directing and producing films like The Best Man series, Girl Trip, Roll Bounce, Undercover Brother, and Welcome Home Rosco Jenkins.
• Undercover Brother celebrated its 23rd anniversary. Lee reflects on it as his foray into comedy and a challenging film to make.
• Lee mentions Dave Chappelle told him that Obama liked Undercover Brother.

Stock Market and Investments

• Lee recommends investing in Apple (AAPL), which he bought in 2005, Google, and FedEx (FDX).
• He suggests sticking to what you know when investing.
• Young mentions Proctor & Gamble (PG) as a potential investment due to his frequent use of their products.

Motivation and Creativity

• Lee is not a big consumer of new music but listens to artists like Tyler ICU (South African artist), Melvin and the Blue Notes, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, and Matt King.
• He mentions Miles Davis' Kind of Blue as his dad's favorite jazz album.

Filmmaking and Storytelling

• Lee describes himself primarily as a filmmaker and storyteller, emphasizing the importance of writing.
• He credits his cousin, Spike Lee, for encouraging him to write black stories.
• When speaking to third graders, he explains his job by discussing the elements needed to make a movie.

Spike Lee

• Lee describes Spike Lee as "unique" due to his significant impact on filmmaking and numerous careers, including his own.
• He acknowledges Spike Lee's influence on film and television.

The Best Man: Unfinished Business

• Lee partnered with Storehouse Voices and Miss Chapman, along with co-writer Jane Allen, to write The Best Man: Unfinished Business, a continuation of the series.
• The book revisits the characters Harper, Jordan, and Robin at midlife, each facing personal crossroads.
  • Harper is divorced and living a bachelor life in Dumbo, New York.
  • Robin is living in Ghana with her daughter.
  • Jordan is in Malibu, focusing on self-care.
• The book explores their next steps and relationships.
• It is the first of a three-part series.
• Lee believes fans of the franchise will enjoy the book, even those unfamiliar with the series.

Screenwriting vs. Novel Writing

• Lee finds novel writing less restrictive than screenwriting, offering more freedom in world-building and explicitness.
• He emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking, involving budgetary constraints, actors, and executives, while novel writing is more personal.
• He traveled to Ghana for a week to immerse himself in the culture for the book's authenticity.
• The book was written quickly, driven by deadlines.

Storehouse Voices Partnership

• Lee chose to partner with Storehouse Voices because they shared his vision, appreciated his goals, and offered the most creative freedom.

The Best Man Legacy

• Lee acknowledges the difficulty of getting the cast together for The Best Man Holiday and the Peacock series, Final Chapters.
• He is open to the possibility of a Best Man next generation film if the story is right.
• He felt Final Chapters had some missing elements due to constraints, such as the episode count being reduced from 10 to 8.
• He wrote the book to further explore the characters and stories.

Black Representation in Film

• Lee recalls a 1999 quote where he emphasized the importance of portraying full black male characters to counter negative stereotypes in media.
• He believes representation has improved, citing Ryan Coogler's films as examples.
• Young argues that the "corporate brother" archetype is still missing in film.
• Lee agrees that there could be more representation of black professionals in movies.

State of Hollywood

• Lee notes that Hollywood is currently risk-averse due to the writer's strike and is making fewer projects.
• He sees this as an opportunity for independent filmmakers.
• He emphasizes the importance of timing and having the right material, referencing his experience with The Best Man.
• He advises young filmmakers to study successful projects and find their niche.
• He stresses the importance of real-world experience for authentic storytelling.

Directing Style

• Lee describes his directing style as calm and communicative, inspired by Phil Jackson's Zen approach.
• He values clear communication with actors, cinematographers, and costume designers to achieve his vision.
• He aims to be a leader by letting people do their jobs while maintaining high expectations.
• He considers himself demanding but not unreasonable.

Sable Bourbon

• Lee co-owns Sable Bourbon with Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, and Taye Diggs. Terrence Howard was initially involved but had a conflict.
• The venture stemmed from the cast's desire to continue working together.
• The brand aims to encapsulate the experience of watching them on screen in a bottle.
• The name "Sable" was chosen for its simplicity, elegance, and association with luxury.
• The bourbon is slightly sweet and smooth, suitable for drinking straight or in cocktails.

Early Life and Influences

• Lee grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
• His parents emphasized hard work and education, sending him to private school.
• He watched cartoons like Minnie Mouse, Courageous Cat, Super Friends, Looney Tunes, and X-Men on Saturday mornings.
• He had chores to do and was encouraged to play outside.

Education and Career

• Lee attended Georgetown University and the Disney screenwriters program.
• The Disney program taught him about relationships and the business side of the film industry.
• He wrote screenplays like Morning Side Prep and Gems before The Best Man.
• He learned the importance of a three-act structure, inciting incidents, and compelling stories.
• He wrote The Best Man intentionally, considering industry trends and his strengths.

Confidence and Inspiration

• Lee gained confidence on the set of Girl 6 when Spike Lee accepted his suggestion about using a different lens.
• Seeing John Singleton's Boyz n the Hood inspired him to tell his own stories.

Rapid Fire Questions

• John Singleton: Inspirational
• Ryan Coogler: Visionary
• Barry Jenkins: Innovative
• Will Packer: My brother
• Woody Allen: Complicated
• AI: Terminator

Future Projects

• Lee is working on a thriller with Blumhouse and Universal, starring Lynn Whitfield, Chloe Bailey, Anna Diop, and Lucien Laviscount.

Advice for Young Filmmakers

• Perfect your craft through consistent work and rewriting.
• Make movies, even with a smartphone.
• Identify your strengths and pursue them, whether it's producing, writing, directing, or editing.
• Be realistic and pursue what you're good at.
• Learn about relationships and the business side of the industry.
• Balance creativity with commerce.
• Pay attention to successful projects and industry trends.
• Find a way to make your movie, regardless of industry support.

First Million and Regrets

• Lee's first million came from real estate investments, not directly from The Best Man.
• He bought a house early in his career.
• His first car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
• He has no regrets, only learning experiences.

AI Concerns

• Lee is concerned about AI, referencing the Terminator movies.
• He believes AI cannot replicate the human experience in storytelling.

Black Spending Power

• Lee emphasizes the importance of supporting black businesses and consolidating black economic power.

Investment Advice

• Lee recommends investing in Ghana.

Inspirational Books

• Lee tends to obsess over one book at a time rather than having a consistent list.

Good vs. Great Director

• A great director knows what they want, has a clear vision, and communicates effectively.
• Knowing what you want is half the battle.

Logical Connections

The interview flows logically from Lee's early career and influences to his current projects and perspectives on the film industry. The discussion of The Best Man franchise naturally leads to his new book, Unfinished Business, and his partnership with Storehouse Voices. His experiences with Spike Lee and other filmmakers inform his advice to young filmmakers. The rapid-fire questions provide quick insights into his opinions on various figures in the industry. The conversation about AI and black spending power touches on broader societal and economic issues relevant to his work and audience.

Data, Research Findings, or Statistics

• Black America's spending power will reach $2.1 trillion by 2026 (according to Nielsen).

Synthesis/Conclusion

Malcolm D. Lee's interview provides a comprehensive overview of his career, creative process, and perspectives on the film industry. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, hard work, and authentic representation. He offers valuable advice to aspiring filmmakers, stressing the need to balance creativity with business acumen and to pursue their passions with determination. He remains open to new opportunities and challenges, as evidenced by his foray into the thriller genre and his continued exploration of The Best Man universe through his new book series.