Email Article

Printable Page

Tim Reid Says Energy Is Missing on HBCU Campuses

By Garrison L. Vereen II
Black College Wire

A self-described product of his community, Tim Reid, actor, producer and filmmaker, feels strongly about what's happened to the black college experience, judging from the campuses he has visited.

"The black college experience is being homogenized," said the Norfolk State University graduate. "When I was in college, there was an energy; that energy is missing now."

Reid, 58, star of the TV show "Sister, Sister," was at Florida A&M University with his wife, Daphne Maxwell Reid, to screen his latest film, "For Real," and to host a symposium, "Tim Reid and the Business of Show" as part of FAMU's inaugural Artists in Bloom festival.

Reid said he believes that his motivation to produce his own films comes from the neighborhoods of his youth.

"It was bred in me," he said, speaking of his childhood in segregated Norfolk, Va. "I grew up in a very independent community."

Reid said that because his community had its own self-sustaining economy, it wasn't hard for him to decide to make his own product.

That product, New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Va., is a full-service film venue that Reid founded with his wife.

While Reid is commonly remembered for his roles in such television as "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Frank's Place," he has been a writer, producer and director throughout his 30-year career.

"For Real" is an attempt to explore the dynamics of the old school/new school cultural clash.

"Each film has built into it my own propaganda," Reid said. He wants to make clear that his propaganda is a positive one. "I try to use the characters in my story to get my message across."

Since he feels that young people confuse the purpose of filmmaking and get into the movie-making business for the wrong reasons, Reid is wary of giving advice to an aspiring filmmaker.

"The drive is not to make as much money as you can. The purpose is to tell a story," Reid said. "If a young person comes to me and says, 'I want to make a movie,' I usually tell them, don't. But if they come to me and say 'I want to tell a story,' then I'll help them."

Reid explained that in his seminar he confronts the issues of old-school-vs.-new-school culture, new filmmakers who are in the business for the wrong reasons and the lack of passion on modern college campuses today.

"(In my symposium) there are no sacred cows," he asserts.

Concerned about what he feels is a tremendous change to the character of historically black college and universities, as well as other colleges and universities, Reid challenges the students he visits to be free thinkers.

"Today's college campuses are some of the most politically correct, conservative and passionless establishments in the community," he said.

Reid said he wants to use work such as "For Real" to bridge the gap between different generations. He was hoping that people of all backgrounds would come to the screening and the symposium. "Tell everyone to come out. We'll really mix things up," he said.

Posted March 31, 2003

Garrison L. Vereen II is a student at Florida A&M University who writes for The Famuan. He can be reached at [email protected]