AMIRI STARR HOPES TO MAKE BIG SCREEN DEBUT PORTRAYING THE LATE RAPPER TUPAC SHAKUR

If Amiri Starr (big picture) has his way, he'll realize his dream of starring as the late, legendary rap artist Tupac Shakur on the big screen in Antoine Fuqua's upcoming cinematic version of the rapper's life story.

Shakur's upcoming biopic was last reported to begin shooting in September, and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "Tears of the Sun," "Brooklyn's Finest" ). In a recent interview, Fuqua stated he is looking to find a new face to fill the role. "I want to discover someone new. I want to go to the streets and find him anywhere he might be in the world," said Fuqua.

Amiri Starr wants to take advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity, and has launched a grassroots, online campaign to attract Fuqua's attention. In a riveting and realistic YouTube video performance, posted on his Facebook page, he passionately portrays the famous rap star.

After reading the announcement that Fuqua was looking for unknown actors to portray Tupac, Starr immediately set about to create an uncanny portrayal of Shakur in a self-made audition video, posted at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=FhCT3oa2tYQ. In the reel, he demonstrates an astoundingly accurate depiction of the late rap legend who was tragically killed in September 1996.

Determined to be discovered, Starr created his audition tape in two nights, under extreme circumstances. In an effort to study Tupac thoroughly, he watched every second of video footage that he could locate on Tupac, and reread Vibe magazine interviews conducted with the icon. He then recreated scenarios filming with a sole flip camera and a tripod. Both of his re-enacted interviews took place in 1996 just before Tupac was killed. Starr worked to capture how it would feel to be shot, go to jail for a crime that you didn't commit, and to be betrayed by the very people who you'd lived your life advocating for. He essentially transitioned into Tupac.

Filmed in an empty parking lot, Starr rapped over Tupac's songs, and recorded the music on his IPhone. He also filmed everything without wearing his contact lens, hoping to better resemble Tupac, even though his vision is -10.50 without them.

A talented writer, poet, actor, comedian and stay at home father by day, the San Diego based thespian threw himself headlong into his audition video, adapting many of the rapper's physical trademarks, from his bald head, bodily mannerisms, and his mix of New York and Southern California accents.

Although he has read about other people vying to play the hip-hop artist, Starr believes he has what it takes to fully capture Tupac's genuine essence. "In contrast to the others that I've seen who want the role, I feel like I take this more serious than merely memorizing some lines, throwing on a bandanna, screaming "west side" and thinking that I've got him nailed," explained Amiri. "I've done the character study even after the audition tape, and I've really sought to discover the inner workings and mysteries of the man."

As a dedicated Tupac disciple, Starr has listened to over four hundred Tupac songs and read various books about his life, including Afeni Shakur's (Tupac's mother) biography. He has also studied the people, places and things that influenced Tupac the most.

Stating Tupac's influence on his life, Starr confessed, "Pac kept me alive! There was a time growing up when I didn't care if something happened to me, when I didn't want to be here due to various circumstances. Then, I'd turn on "Lord Knows" or "Hold Ya Head," and it kept me strong. Tupac's music kept me from taking a gun and blowing my brains out at 16."

Acting since a young child in local plays across the nation, and performing stand-up since college, the ambitious entertainer and writer has written two feature length films, two plays and three short films. Hoping to make his debut on the big screen, Starr looks forward to auditioning for the role and to meeting Antoine Fuqua in person. "I would truly be humbled and honored to portray the biggest, most polarizing African-American revolutionary of the past century. "

OTHER MOVIE NEWS:

HI POINT STUDIOS READY TO MAKE ITS MARK

Nestled between Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Hi Point Studios is a production house based in the capital of entertainment, Los Angeles. Run by the movie making team, brothers, producer Paul Goldsby and director Kennedy Goldsby, alongside co-producer Frank Pinnock, Hi Point Studios is quickly establishing itself as the newest state of the art facility for television, movie and music projects.

The 18,000 square foot facility houses all the accouterments for productions big and small, including a green screen, offices, make-up rooms, lighting and cameras. Current endeavors being filmed at Hi Point Studios include projects with Cedric The Entertainer, Bentley Evans, producer of "The Jamie Foxx Show" and "Martin") and Miguel A. Nuñez.

Under the banner of Goodness Films, the Goldsby Brothers are also completing production on two major motion films, written, directed and produced by them, to be released later this year. The first theatrical release, "The Trap Door" stars Obba Babatundé and Chico Bennymon and "If I Tell You I Have to Kill You" slated for release later this year. The latter film features Tom Sizemore, Keith David and Tommy "Tiny" Lister. Music producer John Barnes, recognized for his work with Michael Jackson, serves as music supervisor for both productions.

The brothers also recently completed the film, "Haitian Nights" starring Vivica Fox and are working on a new TV series starring Obba Babatundé, Morgan Freeman and James Pickens called "Horse Talk." In addition, they have a sitcom series "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles," in the works, executive produced by co-creator of "The Cosby Show," Ed Weinberger, based on the film by the same name.

The trio is no stranger to the magic of movie making and music production. Paul Goldsby, the president of Goodness Media, alongside his brother Kennedy, wrote, produced and directed the underground hit "Love Beat the Hell Outta Me," their first release in 2000 which starred Glenn Plummer ("Speed") and Terrence Howard ("Hustle and Flow"). The film was a hit at the box office before its lucrative release on cable (BET, Showtime), video and DVD. Their follow up effort, "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles," in 2004, quickly became, in just its first month of sales, Urban Works Entertaiment's largest grossing film and starred Clifton Powell, A.J. Johnson and Glenn Plummer.

Besides their production work, the Goldsbys have brokered distribution deals on behalf of other producers. At Urban Entertainment, Paul Goldsby secured the television rights for Blair Underwood's "The Second Coming." At Lightyear Entertainment, on behalf of its producer, Paul negotiated for the North American Rights for "The Gristle." Operating on behalf of Michael Jenkinson, formerly head of acquisitions for Twentieth Century Fox, the Goldsbys successfully brokered the deal to distribute "Sista's In the City" through Lightyear Entertainment. Paul Goldsby has also worked as a music writer alongside Lenny Kravitz and produced music acts at Virgin Records.

Frank Pinnock has been associated with Hi Point Studios and paved a long road to it. After helming the Rudy Ray Moore classic, "Return of Dolemite" in 2000, Pincock went on to direct the ground breaking, high definition feature film "Blues Journey," an unofficial homage to blues recording legend Robert Johnson. Never one to sit still, Francis also co-produced the highly anticipated comedy "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles." In 2003 he directed a short film entitled "Thursday Child" about an African American male suffering from clinical depression. The short received favorable response and was accepted at the 2003 Pan African Film Festival where it received great reviews. Frank's career has seen him direct music videos, television pilots and numerous films.

Mixing movie magic with music, Goodness Records, distributed by Universal Music, will introduce the label's debut artist, Philadelphia native Sizzol Pop. His new single, "Shortie, What's Up," featuring Sean Samara, will drop this summer. The single's video will be promotionally tied to the movie release of "The Trap Door."

"Helming the operation of Hi Point Studios and Goodness Media is an amazing opportunity," says director Kennedy Goldsby. "We are right here in Hollywood, right is the middle of it all. It's never been done like this. We have plans to produce and make an impact in Hollywood that raises the bar even higher." The president of Goodness Media, Paul Goldsby added, "Our vision is to build upon a brand that is synonymous with feeling good. We are dedicated to cultivating and inspiring a legacy that will extend beyond folk's current expectations."

Editor's Note: Some information used in this report obtained from publicity department press releases.