Southeast Stylings
Northeast Flair
by Khadijah Ali-Coleman
Anthony Anderson is the producerof the Web series “Anacostia.”
‘Anacostia,’ the Web Series Explodes Onto CyberSpaceAnthony Anderson, the producer and one of the stars of the new Web series “Anacostia,” set in the Anacostia area of Southeast, would be considered a DC success story by most people’s standards. An independent filmmaker, actor and producer, Anderson has several irons in the fire with the chief intention of bringing shine to his hometown of Southeast.
“Anacostia is a training ground for adulthood.” Anderson states. “I don’t think I would be the person I am if I did not grow up in Anacostia. There is a certain toughness and certain realness that you face when growing up there. As a kid, you see the struggle to keep the lights on. You see the struggle to keep the kids safe. You see what your other friends are going through. It makes you want to strive for better.”
Born in DC General Hospital and raised on Chicago Street, Anderson moved to the Montgomery County suburbs during his last year at Douglass Junior High yet never forgot his hometown. Despite the tragedy he endured – “Out of 20 young males I grew up with, only two are living.” – Anderson still believes Anacostia reared him to be a survivor. He named his production company Southeast Boy Productions as homage.
Dancing to the Top“I started out wanting to be a hip-hop dancer,” laughs Anderson, 37. “The last music video I was in was for [rapper] DMX, and that was the last one because I fell off a table and hit my knee, and it got swollen. I was not leaving the set though, because I was a huge fan. If you look at the video ‘Get On the Floor,’ at the 1:25 minute mark you will see me in the video in the background as an extra talking to a girl, which was my reward for sticking around after falling off the table.” Anderson’s rich laughter fills the air as he recalls the memory. He credits his ability to laugh at himself as strong armor necessary to move forward in the show business industry.
Though a career in dancing was not in the cards for Anderson, he transitioned into acting, getting small roles, while ultimately directing his own independent film, “The Ties that Bind” (2006), which enjoyed much local success. He later went on to produce the Velocity Awards show which debuted last year and were created to award local entertainers in Washington, DC, in the areas of film, music and theater.
This year he is producing “Anacostia,” a Web series set in the Anacostia community, with the hopes of being a trailblazer.
“I want to start projects that aren’t already out there,” said Anderson. “Spike Lee said, ‘If you want to tell your story, you have to be the one telling it,’ and there are lots of stories being told. I want to tell them from an honest perspective.”
Anderson admits though that the perspective may be honest often enough, but the series is ultimately very entertaining and most likely controversial. The Web series will feature an openly gay character and will rival television primetime soap operas like “Gossip Girl” and “Melrose Place” with its level of sexy mischief and mayhem.
“The show is escapism,” he said. “It shows Anacostia in a completely different way that I don’t think people get a chance to see. People usually see ‘Local teen gets shot,’ but they don’t see everyday that there are people out there working, striving and having great lives.”
Reality TV Star FeaturedThe teaser for the series was released on the internet in mid-August, and reviews from the public were mostly positive, many eager for the series to begin. On the popular social network Facebook, one person commented by writing, “I can’t wait for the show to begin. That man is horrible.”
The “horrible” man the poster is referring to is the character Michael Stevenson, portrayed by Maryland-based actor Walter Maxfield Jones. In the teaser, Michael and his wife, Mia, have a heated exchange that leaves viewers curious about what is next for the married duo.
“The first thing that viewers will see when the show debuts online is Michael Stevenson getting what he deserves. So the first episode starts off with a bang. The viewers see the present state of things, and then the 10 following episodes are all flashbacks that lead up to the present,” explains Anderson.
Inspired by the “who-done-it” style made famous in primetime soap operas from the ‘80s, like “Dynasty,” “Knots Landing” and “Dallas,” Anderson believes he has brought back a formula that works, but he warns, “This is not your grandma’s soap opera.”
Anderson features in the series a familiar face that fans of reality television will immediately recognize – VH-1’s “I Love New York” cast member Wil “Onix” Lash. Anderson met both Lash and Jones while working on another project and immediately contacted them when he began fleshing out the “Anacostia” series.
Anderson also brought into the mix local talent, actress and singer Tia Dae, who, he says, brought life into her character even before the cameras started rolling.
“Tia’s character’s name is Deanna Talbort Grayson,” said Anderson. “When Tia Dae walked in for the audition, she looked completely different, dressed in character. I didn’t even recognize her. When she read for the part, I knew she was special, but seeing her on the set is unreal. People come on the set just to watch her scenes.”
Local folks are also routinely brought to the set to serve as extras as well as to get an opportunity to be a part of the series while local businesses are often highlighted.
“We have local advertisers that have allowed us to shoot in their spaces, and we appreciate it greatly. In return, we shoot a commercial for their establishment,” says Anderson.
Nearing the end of the grueling taping schedule for the show, Anderson is hopeful that the show will make a splash and attract viewers and advertisers.
“One thing we need is the proper funding. That is typical with independent projects. We would love to have some sponsors to donate things like craft services or pay for advertising on the website. Regardless, though, the show is different, and people will love it. We have characters women can relate to. Like, we have three plus-size actresses in different roles. On regular TV, if there was a full-figured woman featured, it will most likely be only one, and it is usually Mo’Nique. Our show is definitely TV for the new millennium.”
The first season of “Anacostia” debuted Sept. 3. Visit www.anacostia-thewebseries.com/ for details. Khadijah Ali-Coleman is a performer and writer based in the Washington DC metro area.
Posted by InTheMixWithTre
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