Black Author/Screenwriter Deangelo Manuel disappointed in lack of support for screenplay about a crucial piece of untold American history
PHILIP'S COUNTY, Ark., April 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Last June, Deangelo Manuel pitched his epic screenplay, Elaine 1919, to TV ONE and ABFF contest. Manuel's revolutionary work unearths one of the most significant events in American history: the Elaine riots of 1919 that resulted in the bloodiest massacre of African Americans on United States soil. The screenplay also highlights a profound decision from the United States Supreme Court ( Moore vs Dempsey) that was instrumental in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Arkansas is currently making headlines because of the eight inmates on death row, but many do not know the history of Arkansas as written in Elaine 1919, which depicts how Scipio Africanus Jones, an African American attorney, risked his life and successfully saved twelve men on death row and paved a way for universal due process.
Considering the screenplay's importance in African American history, Manuel thought it would be fitting to have a Black-owned company embrace his work and give him the guidance and backing needed to reach a larger audience. Manuel's most devastating moment came when TV ONE and ABFF declined to accept the pitch. Manuel was even offered the opportunity to pitch Elaine 1919 to the Weinstein Company at the Napa Film Festival but the interest was surprisingly lackluster considering the magnitude and potential impact of the screenplay.
Manuel plans to journey to Europe and the Middle East to pitch not only Elaine 1919 but his other equally powerful and historically relevant scripts. These stories are not only part of American history; they are also part of Manuel's story and that of his family. Such an important piece of America's story needs to be told and Manuel will stop at nothing to tell it. Manuel released the book Elaine 1919 in eBook, audio and paperback of the untold story on April 13th. It is available on all online book retailers.
http://www.deangelomanuelliterary.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViLzYQg9uc
Deangelo Manuel
Author & Independent Screenwriter
Phone: 870-816-5393
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Deangelo Manuel
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