Oakland native hits Hollywood big time

Oakland native hits Hollywood big time
By Kamika Dunlap, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND - EAST OAKLAND native Nnegest Likke knew her dream of becoming a filmmaker would be a long shot. But through determination and a miracle of sorts, she has joined Hollywood's short list of black female directors.
Her first feature-length film and screenwriting debut, "Phat Girlz," is scheduled to be released by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
"I never dreamed of making this picture," Likke said. "This is the biggest day of my entire life."
"Phat Girlz" is a romantic comedy starring Mo'Nique Imes-Jackson and hits theaters across the country April 7. It also features Jimmy Jean Louis, Kendra Johnson and Godfrey. The film is about a smart-mouthed, aspiring fashion designer and her friend who are frustrated and obsessed with their weight.
While struggling to find love and acceptance in the world, the two womenunexpectedly meet the men of their dreams.
Independent film producer the late Bobby Newmyer produced the film and put up nearly $3 million of his own money. Newmyer co-founded Outlaw Productions, which has produced a number of blockbuster films, including "Training Day," "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," "The Santa Clause" and "The Santa Clause 2."
Nancy Utley, chief operating officer at Fox Searchlight Pictures, said the company is proud of its latest release, and Likke's film has mass appeal.
"When we saw 'Phat Girlz' we were blown away by the combination of laugh-out-loud comedy and the positive, universal theme of self-acceptance," Utley said. "We knew we had to bring the film to moviegoers."
Hollywood's handful of African-American women film directors include Julie Dash ("Daughters of the Dust"), Neema Barnett ("Civil Brand") and Oscar-nominated director Diane Houston ("Tuesday Morning Ride").
Before Likke got her big break she spent more than 10 years in Los Angeles writing scripts, working for a television production company and substitute teaching.
"I realized I needed to write movies because the TV thing wasn't that fulfilling," Likke said.
So she quit her job and stepped out on faith. Likke was inspired to write a script for Imes-Jackson after she saw her performance in the "Queens of Comedy." Her hopes were dashed, however, after a major studio optioned her script, then decided to put it on the shelf.
Then she met her angel.
Newmyer heard about the script and negotiated a deal to buy it. He also was a fan of comedian Imes-Jackson.
"He wanted to do this little movie as his pet project," Likke said. "He also wanted to help me because he knew it was hard for a black woman to get her foot in the door of filmmaking."
For two years Likke and Newmyer worked on the project. He poured $2.5 million out of his own pocket into the production.
Hollywood spends an average $100 million to make and market its films, according to industry officials.
Halfway through shooting Newmyer ran out of money. The pair assembled a movie trailer hoping to attract a studio to invest money to complete the project, but they were unsuccessful. They were forced to take six months off.
But Newmyer was willing to risk it all. He wanted to see the project through, so he mortgaged his homes and borrowed from his children's educational fund so they could resume shooting.
"My faith kicked in," Likke said. "I was even more determined, and every night I prayed on my knees."
Likke said she returned to the set in overdrive and shot scenes that normally would take three days in 16 hours. Her adrenaline gave her the drive to stay motivated.
Shortly after production was finished, they received a call from Fox Searchlight Pictures, which was interested in screening the director's cut.
"I hit the floor and I almost fainted," Likke said. "I had confidence in my faith and I knew somebody would want to buy the movie."
Newmyer threw a party at his house to celebrate. Two weeks later he died of a heart attack, which was triggered by asthma.
"We were soul mates and I owe Bobby forever," Likke saod. "I hope my story will inspire others that dreams can come true."
During the time they worked together, Newmyer became a mentor to Likke, she said. He encouraged her to believe in herself.
"Growing up I never felt I could be somebody or that anybody cared what I had to say creatively," Likke said.
Likke was raised by her mother in a single-parent household. She was a rebellious teenager who often was at odds with her mother. But while attending Skyline High School she discovered her passion for writing and acting.
"I got really focused and raised my GPA from an 0.8 to a 3.8," she said. "My friends and I started talking about plans for college."
Likke graduated from Skyline and went on to Clark University in Atlanta. In college she majored in acting and learned how to write screenplays. After Likke graduated she moved to Los Angeles, where she hoped to launch a career in film. But to make ends meet, she worked as a high school substitute teacher.
"I felt for all 10 years she spent with doors closing in her face it was a miracle when Bobby came into her life," said Likke's mother, Rosalind Patton. "He became like a father figure to her."
Likke hopes her experience will inspire other young African-American women who are interested in filmmaking. Her mission also is to entertain as many people as she can through her film.
"I am now charged to give as much as Bobby gave to me back to my community and beyond," she said. "I don't know why it happened to me, but I know what I have to do with it."

Staff writer Kamika Dunlap can be reached at kdunlap@angnewspapers.com.