Director Mario Van Peebles Brings His ‘A Game’ to AlphaDogs

BURBANK, CA, June 8, 2009 – AlphaDogs recently provided post services on the documentary "Bring Your A Game," directed and produced by Mario Van Peebles via his MVP Films and the Twenty-First Century Foundation. Addressing the educational crisis in America and its relationship to the penal system, the film explores the experience of young black men and seeks the insight of prominent Black male icons (‘A’ Gamers) from diverse fields. Van Peebles uses a hip, computer-generated video game-style world as the backdrop for the narrative. 

AlphaDogs did the online and color correction for "A Game" – and for "Fair Game," a 72-minute documentary companion piece geared toward a broad adult audience, working in Final Cut and COLOR. Brian Hutchings did the Color Correction and editor Rosanne Tan handled all aspects of online and Final Conforming. "We faced some challenges with the green screen and effects that are rare for a documentary," Tan recalled. "It was an imaginative and meaningful project, and we’re very proud to be associated with it."

"Without exaggeration, AlphaDogs has far exceeded all of my expectations," said Karen Williams, Producer
of "Bring Your A-Game," noting that the company had come highly recommended by director of photography and co-producer Scott Billups. "Not only is the on-line team highly skilled, each person I encountered at AlphaDogs was incredibly generous, affable, accommodating and hugely supportive of both our creative vision and social mission."

That mission is to connect with an audience comprised of young people aged 14 and up – particularly Black males most at-risk for dropping of high school. Interviewees – or ‘A’ Gamers – relate their personal stories of success and setbacks and the role education has played in their journeys. Actors (Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock), Directors (Spike Lee), Educators (Cornell West), Rappers (Ice Cube, Lupe Fiasco), Political Figures (Cory A. Booker), Activists, Community Leaders ("the 3 Doctors"), Poets, and many more lent their time and talents to the film, which drives home the message that graduating from high school – and educational achievement in general – are key components in a young person’s quest for success and fulfillment.