The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) will honor Antoine Fuqua with its annual Filmmaker Award. The director of such films as The Equalizer (1 & 2), The Magnificent Seven, Southpaw and Training Day, is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the art of cinema. He will receive the award at the 66th MPSE Golden Reel Awards ceremony on February 17 in Los Angeles.
Fuqua’s rare ability to blend action with character-driven storytelling has made him one of the most sought-after directors of his generation. “Antoine Fuqua has elevated the action film genre by introducing complex characters, nuanced storytelling and deep emotion, and audiences the world over have responded at the box office,” said MPSE president Tom McCarthy. “The MPSE is proud to recognize his achievements and add his name to the list of distinguished recipients of our Filmmaker Award.”
In 2018, the MPSE presented its Filmmaker Award to Kathryn Bigelow. Past recipients also include Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, Darren Aronofsky, George Lucas, Ang Lee, Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer and Gale Anne Hurd.
“I have always believed that sound is the element that elevates a film to its maximum potential,” said Fuqua. “I am fortunate to have worked with some the best sound editors in the business who continue to be instrumental to my filmmaking process. My vision would be incomplete without the careful attention to their craft. I am truly honored to be recognized by my friends and colleagues of the MPSE.”
Released earlier this year, The Equalizer 2, reunited Fuqua with Denzel Washington in his signature role as Robert McCall. Previously, Fuqua directed The Magnificent Seven, a remake of the 1960 classic, the boxing drama Southpaw and the smash hit The Equalizer. His 2001 film Training Day established his credentials as a master of action while earning an Academy Award® for Denzel Washington for Best Actor, and a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Ethan Hawke. Fuqua also directed the films Olympus Has Fallen, Brooklyn’s Finest and King Arthur, as well as the blues documentary, Lightning in a Bottle, executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
Fuqua is handled by production house Wondros for select commercials and branded content.
Fuqua is deeply passionate about supporting youth in the community and gives back through filmmaking. He was honored for his charitable work by The Opportunity Network in 2016.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More