Rock Obama: The Barack Obama Musical
A Rock-n-Roll Comedy
- Press Info -
The Film
UPDATES
- Accepted to the Show Off Your Shorts Festival, Beverly Hills, CA.
- Accepted to Iron Mule Comedy Film Festival, NYC
- Accepted to LA Comedy Shorts Festival, LA
- Accepted to LA Comedy Festival, LA
- Accepted to FICH, Portugal.
- Excerpted in upcoming documentary, Barack Obama: The People's President.
Directors Note
What would you do if you found the opportunity to combine filmmaking, rock music, and topical comedy? The fates aligned and gave me this fantastic chance to make funny, political, musical picture, and I jumped at it.
ROCK OBAMA: THE BARACK OBAMA MUSICAL was conceived just four weeks before Election Day, 2008. My writing partner and co-producer, Derek Taylor Kent, had an incredible vision of a musical satirizing this man who increasingly dominated CNN, The Daily Show, and every newspaper we could find. With only a month before the election, we decided the idea was too late. But, a few days later, Derek produced a 9-minute short version. I said "Yes!" and we both committed to producing it before election day. We had a lot of preparation to do.
In that short amount of time, we recruited a small producing team from our LA friends and contacts, parts were cast, songs choreographed, lines learned, locations booked, and equipment rented. Each day brought a new obstacle, with very little time to create backup plans, but we reached shoot weekend with a cast, crew, and producing team ready for action.
The shoot itself lasted 3 days. It was the most incredible experience of my life so far.
Once finished, we showed it to friends and family, met with praise and constructive criticism. We knew we had to get an audience before Election Day (after all, nobodoy wants to watch John Kerry the Musical), so after a little more tweaking, we released the film online on Halloween, 2008. The film is neither pro- nor anti-Obama, and appeals as much to his proponents as his detractors. The online response was warm and encouraging, with viewers tuning in from around the world. I'm extremely thankful to Derek, Jon, Mike, Joe, Jen, Jeff, Matt, and everyone else who made it happen.
My sincere wish is that this film gets to be seen by more eyes than just our extended family/friends network, and that the soul of the film -- its comedy and music -- put a smile on the face and a bounce in the step of Barack's fans (and what the heck, his enemies too) around the world.
- Geoffrey Plitt, Director, Rock Obama
Written by Derek Taylor Kent
Produced by Geoffrey Plitt and Derek Taylor Kent
Associate Producers: Jennifer Fenten, Joe Harkenrider, Jonathan Martofel, Jeff Stepp, Michael Elko Weaver.
iPhone Game Sneak Peak
Play as Barack as he tries to gain popularity at a rally. Podiums start to rise from the floor, and you tilt the iPhone to guide Obama to the right spot to gain “popularity points.”
Encouraged by music and quotes from the movie, help Barack try to keep up as the podiums rise faster and faster. You can also watch the film and view photos from the shoot, right from the App.
Excerpts From the Film
Watch the fan-favorite moments from the film:
- Barack encounters a drug dealer.
- THE moment Barack decided to run for president.
- Barack and Michelle sing to each other in the office where they fell in love.
- A Lion-King-esque vision of Barack's dad at the beach.
Production Photos
Photos by Sami Drasin, John Martofel, Kurimi Uchino.
Meet the people behind the film:
Derek Kent (Writer / Producer) is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theatre where he studied acting, directing, and was honored with the rare privilege of auditing the Masters playwriting program.While at UCLA, Derek wrote and directed several shows, and went on to study Commedia Del'Arte in Florence, Italy. Derek is perhaps best known for his one-man show trilogy, "Michael Jordan's Magic Shoes", which toured across the nation. Derek has been pursuing his musical aspirations, writing songs and recording an album with his band, Son of Scotland. He wrote/directed the original musical, King Kalimari, which garnered rave reviews and had a sold out run in 2007 and he is currently shopping a series of children's novels called "Scary School." Derek wrote and directed several short films this year including CIA WATERBOARDING TAPES FOUND! and ONE HOUR ORGASM, which you can view on this website. Derek is thrilled to combine his love of movies and musicals with his first musical-film venture, ROCK OBAMA.
Geoffrey Plitt (Director / Producer) has has his films featured in the St Lous Filmmakers Showcase (“Best Editing” - SUGAR), Second City’s One More Beer Festival (Chicago), Chicago International Film Festival, Feel Good Festival (Los Angeles), California Next Gen Film Fest (Sacramento), Oregon's BendFilm Festival ("Best Short" - SUGAR), Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival (Alabama), and the Austin Film Festival. Geoffrey attended Viewpoint School in Calabasas, and then Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he founded the Off The Top improv troupe, which still performs there today. In Chicago, he performed with ImprovOlympic, The Annoyance, Second City, Light Opera Works, and Bailiwick; he directed plays, improv shows, sketch comedy, musicals, and variety shows; and he taught improvisational comedy with After School Matters, the University of Chicago, and the Landmark Forum. While in Chicago, he produced his first film, SUGAR, and was also a freelance technology entrepreneur by day. Geoffrey now works for Google in Santa Monica and performs stand-up comedy around LA.
Joe Harkenrider (Associate Producer, Assistant Director, Editing) graduated from Columbia College in Chicago, where he studied film and photography. While attending Columbia, Joe found his unique brand of on-screen comedy through working with local writers, directors, and performers in the Chicago improv scene-- you can watch Corey and Korey, which he directed and produced, featuring talented performers from ImprovOlympic, The Annoyance, and The Playground. Since moving to Los Angeles, Joe has made his mark on the comedy scene here through his work with Upright Citizens Brigade and Comedy Central. Joe's main goal in life is to make your favorite movie.
Jonathan Martofel (Associate Producer) is a filmmaking graduate from Carnegie Mellon University. He has produced and/or directed several shorts and documentaries including a feature-length film entitled "Sofia For Now," which had its west coast premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Most recently, he completed a documentary to help raise funds for Challenge Aspen, a program which helps provide opportunities to disabled veterans. Currently, Jonathan works for Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, serves as the Alumni Relations Chairman for the CMU Drama Alumni Clan, and is as a facilitator for the non-profit organization, Live Arts Group. He speaks fluent Spanish, resides in North Hollywood, CA and lives with his alcoholic cat named Riesling.
Michael Elko Weaver (Editor / Associate Producer / Drug Dealer) is a graduate of The School of Cinematic Arts at USC. After attending university, Mike directed a number of guerilla shorts and is also an avid photographer. He has been working on various physical production crews for studio features since 2005 and has currently been toiling away on James Cameron’s Avatar due Winter 2009. In the meantime he is writing, photographing and editing. And apparently, he likes acting.
Jennifer Fenten (Associate Producer) is a self-proclaimed musical theater geek who has trained at NYU's CAP 21, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Steppenwolf West and the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. As a performer, her most recent credits include the premieres of EARTH SUCKS, BEAVERQUEST! The Musical at Sacred Fools, KING KALIMARI and the independent film JOHNNY APPLEWEED, an official selection in the From Here to Awesome Showcase. Jennifer produced her first short film BREAKDOWN, an official selection of the Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2006 and made her directorial debut this year under the moniker The Valley Girls with SEX & LOS ANGELES, a loving spoof of Sex & the City that was featured on the front page of Funny or Die. She is currently shooting a documentary about women turning 30.
Jeff Stepp (Associate Producer), an Arlington, VA native, moved to Los Angeles in 2006. Since then, he's worked on a variety of film and television projects including Without a Trace, Invasion, and Cavemen. In June of 2008 he signed on with GENERATE, a production company founded by Jordan Levin, to produce the company's digital entertainment. He's currently producing the MSN.com series, Republicrats. You can find out more about Jeff at www.jeffstepp.com.
Gabriel Patay (Director of Photography) was born of a painter and an editor, and is a passionate cinematographer with an obsessive eye for the intricacies of light. He strides ahead in the film community with eagerness and stamina, fervently searching for new ways of telling stories. Since childhood, his quest has been fueled by a desire to travel the world to capture new ideas through images. An efficient communicator and problem-solver, he often finds himself the voice of reason in times of chaos. When Gabriel isn't exploring the world through a lens, he often finds himself quietly reading the newest scientific journal while a hot spicy stew cooks on the stove. Check out his website.
Matthew Harris (Barack Obama) is an actor and comedian who lives and works in Los Angeles. Matt's been featured in a national commercial and made appearances on Comedy Central's Spring Break, and Adult Swim's Kitten vs. Newborn. You may remember him from such bold theatre pieces as You Ain't Got No Teef, But You Sho' Got a Pretty Smile (premiered and closed the same day at the Wiltern Theatre) or... the black kid from the Goonies, edited out later due to politics :) Truthfully, Matthew Harris has been doing sketch and stand-up comedy for 7 years and dedicates all of his performances to women who think it's hot to have performances dedicated to them.
Demetrius Gross (Barack Sr.) is excited to play Barack's estranged father. He claims he's "intrigued by the reverent mystery of it all..." Receiving classical training from Carnegie Mellon University and Howard University, Demetrius has racked-up several guest-starring appearances and recurring roles on some of prime time-network television's most popular shows. Honored to be a member of this heralded production, his thanks extend to friends, family, and supporters. Please visit www.demetriusgrosse.com. "To God Be the Glory!"...and "Obama '08!"
Elisa Eliot (Sarah Palin / Obama Girl) began her professional acting career in grade school singing with the renowned Houston Grand Opera. She went on to attend Yale University for Drama. Some of Elisa's favorite stage roles include Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, and Alice in Closer. Since moving to Los Angeles, Elisa has continued her stage career, originating the roles of Michelle/Rain in Runway 69, Aquafina in King Kalimari and Noelle in Publicityville. Some of Elisa's notable on camera appearances include Tales From the Grave II, Snatched!, Necrosis and Caregiver, and TV shows such as Zoey 101, Dirt, and Nip Tuck. Upcoming projects include the newest James Gunn comedy series, and a country/rockabilly romp with Phil Beauman. Elisa Eliot is also founder and owner of Elisa Eliot's Acting Studio where she coaches actors of all ages and skill levels privately and on-set.
Jenn Wong (Obama Girl) has worked and studied in San Diego with the Playwrights Project at the Old Globe, the San Diego Black Ensemble and the La Jolla Playhouse. She is one of the founding members of the Asian American Repertory Theater in San Diego (sdAART) where she has directed and performed in several shows since their first season in 1995. Now she resides in Los Angeles and continues to enjoy their growth and their critical acclaim.
In Los Angeles, Jenn is currently a veejay on TommorowPictures.TV, hosting some of their segments of "Kill MTV." She is an original member of The Bare Naked Bards, an LA based sketch comedy group, which began at the school of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA. Recently The Bare Naked Bards worked on Tactical Procedures with Sirius Blue Productions. She is currently studying at Playhouse West. Jenn also started the company PurseLlama, bringing adorable alpaca fluff to your handbags.
Jennifer Meyer (Obama Girl, voice of Chris Rock) attended U.C.L.A. where she was a singer in the UCLA Chorale. After graduating college she performed in the Musical Theatre show Steel Pier, as well as in Shakespeare’s The Comedy Of Errors. Realizing her passion for comedy she began her training with former Comedienne Dani Klein. Jennifer has since been seen performing stand-up at a myriad of clubs in Los Angeles, such as The Laugh Factory in Hollywood, The Ice House in Pasadena, and The Comedy Union in West Hollywood. Recently she has decided to combine her dual interests in music, and comedy as one of the original cast members in “Improperetta” a Bi-Weekly completely improvised musical performed at The Second City in Hollywood. Check out Jenn's MySpace and one of her sketch videos.
Kerriann Kada (Obama Girl) is a recent graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, with BFA in Vocal Performance and post graduate studies in the School of Drama, Musical Theatre. At Carnegie Mellon some of her credits include: Paquette: Candide and Holly: TRUST. After moving from Pittsburgh, she entered the International Presentation of Performers Competition in NYC, where Kerriann Actor of the Year. Two months later she entered another competition hosted by the Hollywood Film Festival and won admist nation wide competition. Since the move to CA, she can be seen in the pilot of Not Another High School Show (Comedy Central), and is featured in the AXE chocolate man commercial. Most recently Kerriann can be seen hosting on QVC and will be featured in this season of Entourage (HBO).
Aydrea ten Bosch (Michelle Obama) can be seen with the average human eye. Her name can be seen in the writing credits of Nickelodeon, Disney and Animotion cartoons, the bylines of some Washington State newspapers, many a sketch comedy show program, the cast list for Ragtime (playing now at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood) and on this website. As a writer, Aydrea was a finalist in a(n) AAA CreativeScreenwriting Contest. As an actor, she is thrilled that Michelle Obama is opening up non-sassy roles for black female performers. And as a reporter, she was once ripped a new one by Fox News. Find out more at Aydrea's MySpace page.
Lauren Nasman (Ann Dunham) is a proud native of Portland, Oregon, and has grown up surrounded and nourished by the performing arts. After graduating from Pepperdine University, she began to find her artistic voice living in Los Angeles. She is currently a member of the Sacred Fools Theater Company and was recently seen as Betty Lynn in Beaverquest: The Musical. Lauren can also be found in various venues throughout LA performing with her singing group/stage show, The Chantilly Sisters, that finished its second run earlier this year. She won the 2007 West Valley Theater League award for Best Supporting Actress in her role as Leah in The Immigrant at the West Valley Playhouse. Most recently, Lauren has done vocal work for the official Disney Princess website as well as Joseph Campbell's upcoming feature film, The Art of Kissing. Also check out The Chantilly Sisters.
Lani Shipman (Soldier) Off-Broadway: Sarah, Plain and Tall and The Times of our lives. National Tours: Sarah, Plain and Tall. Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival (2 seasons), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Watch Your Step, & Redspill among others. Cast recordings: MTI’s School House Rock, Honk, & Dear Edwina; Irving Berlin’s Watch Your Step, Sing For a Cure, Wonka, and the soundtrack for the film The Associate. Lani holds a BFA in acting from the University of Southern California. Lani can be seen at the Second City Training Center, every other Sunday, in Improperetta, the improvised musical
Anton Troy (Joey Biden) comes from a family of professional entertainers spanning back to 1930s Hollywood. His Mother a professional Mime & Actress is mostly to blame for Anton’s infatuation with acting. Although new to the L.A. acting scene Anton has been busy appearing in various independent film and theatre productions.
Charles Chen (Basketball Player) is a California native raised in San Lorenzo. At a very young age, he had a passion for entertaining others. He participated in school plays, sang in choir, and also enjoyed putting on shows for his family and friends. During his time in college he began working on several shows as, "The blur in the background you see for one second", until one day he was called to be featured on camera interacting with one of the lead actors on the hit television show, NCIS on CBS. The joy and excitement that he gained from this experience reignited his inner passion to be a performer. Since then he has appeared on the hit webseries, Lonleygirl15, a CBS Monday night comedy promo, The Price is Right, and was in a film which premiered at the prestigious Samuel Goldwyn Theater.