Attika J. Torrence: How Spike Lee Inspired a Generation of Brooklyn Filmmakers 🎬
From watching Spike Lee shut down Broadway for Brooklyn and Malcolm X, to learning under the legendary Larry Banks at LIU, Attika J. Torrence explains why he had to master every craft—writing, directing, and acting—to get his voice heard
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What does it take to go from a Bed-Stuy actor to an independent filmmaker? In this clip from My Friends Are Better Than Yours, we dive into the origin story of a storyteller who grew up in the heart of Brooklyn’s film renaissance.
From watching Spike Lee shut down Broadway for Brooklyn and Malcolm X, to learning under the legendary Larry Banks at LIU, Attika explains why he had to master every craft—writing, directing, and acting—to get his voice heard. Plus, he shares the story of his first film featuring a “Who’s Who” of NY comedy legends before they hit the big time.
Timestamps
0:00 – What motivated you to start making movies?
0:16 – The pivot from acting to filmmaking
0:27 – Growing up in the Spike Lee era of Bed-Stuy
0:58 – Witnessing the filming of Malcolm X and Brooklyn
1:21 – Studying at LIU and the influence of Larry Banks
1:41 – The “DIY” realization: Learning to write and direct
2:06 – Casting NY comedy legends (Tony Roberts, Darnell Rollins, & more)
2:34 – First film success and the IMAC Film Festival
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Attika J. Torrence: How Spike Lee Inspired a Generation of Brooklyn Filmmakers 🎬