Fast Forward (1985 film)
Encyclopedia
Fast Forward is a 1985 dance film directed by Sidney Poitier
. In the film, a dance troup from Ohio
comes to New York
to compete in a national talent competition.
(known by Midwest teens for its large amusement park) who crave stardom so badly that they spend their spare time rehearsing their home made songs and dance routines in a locked up old building after knocking off from school each day. But in the smallest towns lie the biggest of dreams, and these eight kids have all the determination and drive they need to take them all the way to the top. But getting there is the hard part.
A reluctant promise of an audition from a bigshot dance exec leads the kids to the Big - and mean - Apple, but on arrival at the company headquarters they are greeted by some unexpected and unfortunate news. The very guy who had promised them an audition had not only left the dance business, but died! Having travelled all the way to New York City, the Adventurous Eight refuse to be rejected, and the two (and only) male members of the group - Matt (John Scott Clough) and Michael (Don Franklin
) - take the situation into their own hands and try a bit of pleading. Begging the new company owner to give them a shot, he eventually gives in, telling them to audition in two weeks time. Bad news! None of the teens had banked on staying for that long, neither did they have enough cash in their pockets to. But giving in so easily isn't an option..
The kids come to the decision that the only way of making it is to stay and show the world what they're made of. So they rent a rather squalid apartment, spruce it up, and assemble a plan to raise enough money to live on until the day of the big audition. Step one: crashing a swank restaurant to showcase their moves. Miraculously, their routine leads to a standing ovation from the wealthy diners, who proceed to throw their money at the talented gang.
Over the next couple of weeks, the Adventurous Eight continue to raise money by any means possible: passing out business cards; dancing in front of crowds on the streets; you name it. But all work and no play isn't a phrase in the teenagers' dictionary and with the chance to hit the clubs and check out a famous dance hotspot, they can't resist. What they don't realize is that word has gotten out of their talents and a local badass dance crew ain't too happy about their presence. Time for a dance battle, baby! Only, this is one battle the small town country kids are destined to lose.
On a downer after being upstaged by the fresh dancers at 'The Zoo', and well aware that their audition day will soon be arriving, the Adventurous Eight vow to step up their act. And what that calls for is practice, practice, practice. Will they be able to get their own back and not die from embarrassment this time around?
Impressing the club-goers isn't their number one priority, and next in line is their shot at the big time with Sabel Industries. Turning up for their anxiously awaited audition, the kids face another huge knock-back when they are rejected once again, and in spite of the verbal contract between them and the company owner, it turns out to be yet another false promise. Furious that they have been deceived, a persistent Matt and Michael conspire one final plot which is to be their last lifeline on the road to fame. Will they make it to the huge Sabel talent contest? And will all their blood, sweat and tears pay off in the end?
was produced. The song reached #3 on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play and #63 on the US R&B Charts. Quincy Jones
and Tom Bahler
acted as executive producers of the album.
Tracklisting:
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
. In the film, a dance troup from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
comes to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to compete in a national talent competition.
Plot synopsis
The Adventurous Eight - a group of teenagers from Sandusky, OhioSandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
(known by Midwest teens for its large amusement park) who crave stardom so badly that they spend their spare time rehearsing their home made songs and dance routines in a locked up old building after knocking off from school each day. But in the smallest towns lie the biggest of dreams, and these eight kids have all the determination and drive they need to take them all the way to the top. But getting there is the hard part.
A reluctant promise of an audition from a bigshot dance exec leads the kids to the Big - and mean - Apple, but on arrival at the company headquarters they are greeted by some unexpected and unfortunate news. The very guy who had promised them an audition had not only left the dance business, but died! Having travelled all the way to New York City, the Adventurous Eight refuse to be rejected, and the two (and only) male members of the group - Matt (John Scott Clough) and Michael (Don Franklin
Don Franklin
Don Franklin is an American actor, best known for his roles in seaQuest DSV as Commander Jonathan Ford, Seven Days as Captain Craig Donovan, and as one of The Young Riders .-Partial filmography:...
) - take the situation into their own hands and try a bit of pleading. Begging the new company owner to give them a shot, he eventually gives in, telling them to audition in two weeks time. Bad news! None of the teens had banked on staying for that long, neither did they have enough cash in their pockets to. But giving in so easily isn't an option..
The kids come to the decision that the only way of making it is to stay and show the world what they're made of. So they rent a rather squalid apartment, spruce it up, and assemble a plan to raise enough money to live on until the day of the big audition. Step one: crashing a swank restaurant to showcase their moves. Miraculously, their routine leads to a standing ovation from the wealthy diners, who proceed to throw their money at the talented gang.
Over the next couple of weeks, the Adventurous Eight continue to raise money by any means possible: passing out business cards; dancing in front of crowds on the streets; you name it. But all work and no play isn't a phrase in the teenagers' dictionary and with the chance to hit the clubs and check out a famous dance hotspot, they can't resist. What they don't realize is that word has gotten out of their talents and a local badass dance crew ain't too happy about their presence. Time for a dance battle, baby! Only, this is one battle the small town country kids are destined to lose.
On a downer after being upstaged by the fresh dancers at 'The Zoo', and well aware that their audition day will soon be arriving, the Adventurous Eight vow to step up their act. And what that calls for is practice, practice, practice. Will they be able to get their own back and not die from embarrassment this time around?
Impressing the club-goers isn't their number one priority, and next in line is their shot at the big time with Sabel Industries. Turning up for their anxiously awaited audition, the kids face another huge knock-back when they are rejected once again, and in spite of the verbal contract between them and the company owner, it turns out to be yet another false promise. Furious that they have been deceived, a persistent Matt and Michael conspire one final plot which is to be their last lifeline on the road to fame. Will they make it to the huge Sabel talent contest? And will all their blood, sweat and tears pay off in the end?
Cast
- John Scott Clough - Matt Sherman
- Don FranklinDon FranklinDon Franklin is an American actor, best known for his roles in seaQuest DSV as Commander Jonathan Ford, Seven Days as Captain Craig Donovan, and as one of The Young Riders .-Partial filmography:...
- Michael Stafford - Tamara MarkTamara MarkTamara Mark is an actress whose credits include parts in Wes Craven's New Nightmare and Fast Forward. She has had numerous appearances in TV series such as McBride, Nash Bridges, L.A...
- June Wolsky - Tracy Silver - Meryl Stanton
- Cindy McGee - Francine Hackett
- Gretchen PalmerGretchen PalmerGretchen Palmer is an American television and film actress. She has had recurring roles in television series such as The Joe Schmo Show and The Parkers, and has appeared in films including Trois and I Got the Hook Up . She also appeared on The Young and the Restless as Serena.-References:...
- Valerie Thompson - Monique Cintron - Rita Diaz
- Debra Varnado - Debbie Hughes
- Noel Conlon - Mr. Stanton
- Karen KopinsKaren KopinsKaren Kopins Shaw is an American actress and former model. Her acting career is mostly under her maiden name.-Early life:Kopins was Miss Connecticut 1977, having entered the pageant as Miss Ridgefield...
- Susan Granger - Irene WorthIrene WorthIrene Worth, CBE was an American stage and screen actress who became one of the leading stars of the English and American theatre. -Early life:...
- Ida Sabol - Sam McMurraySam McMurraySam McMurray is an American television, film and voice actor.-Early life:McMurray was born in New York City, the son of Jane and Richard McMurray, both actors...
- Clem Franklin - Michael DeLorenzoMichael DeLorenzoMichael DeLorenzo is an American actor, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of NYPD Detective Eddie Torres on the Fox Thursday night television series New York Undercover which was aired from 1994-1998....
- Caesar Lopez - Doris Belack - Mrs. Gilroy
- David WhiteDavid WhiteDavid White or Dave White may refer to:*Dave White , Derringer Award–winning mystery writer*Dave White , U.S. journalist*Dave White , U.S. Navy submarine skipper*David A.R...
- Mr. Sabol - Robin Bach - Mark Dalton
- Constance TowersConstance Towers-Early life:Towers was born in Whitefish, Montana, the daughter of Ardath L. and Harry J. Towers. According to her official Web site, a contract from Paramount Pictures was offered to her at age 11 but was declined...
- Jessie Granger - Phyllis Ehrlich - Landlady
- Bobbie Jordan - Mrs. Stanton
- Robert DoQuiRobert DoQuiRobert DoQui was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He is best known for his role as King George in the 1973 film Coffy, starring Pam Grier, as Sgt. Warren Reed in the 1987 science fiction film RoboCop, the 1990 sequel RoboCop 2, and the 1993 sequel RoboCop 3...
- Mr. Hughes - Paul Ryan - Staffer
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was released on Qwest Records following the release of the film. A music video for the modest hit "Do You Want it Right Now" by Siedah GarrettSiedah Garrett
Siedah Garrett is an American songwriter and singer.-Biography:She appeared as a contestant on Password Plus in 1980.She performed "One Man Woman" on Quincy Jones' Grammy-Award winning "Back on the Block."...
was produced. The song reached #3 on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play and #63 on the US R&B Charts. Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
and Tom Bahler
Tom Bahler
Thomas Lee Bähler , is an American singer, composer, songwriter, arranger and producer.He is the brother of John Bähler.-Early career:...
acted as executive producers of the album.
Tracklisting:
- "Breakin' Out" - Kip Lennon – 3:06 (M. Vieha/J. Ingram/O.E. Brown/B. Walsh). Produced by Mark ViehaMark ViehaMark Vieha is an American singer. He contributed to the soundtrack for Teen Wolf, and also appeared in Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw and Wag the Dog.-External links:...
and Brock Walsh. - "Do You Want it Right Now" - Siedah Garrett – 5:36 (C. Burton/N. Straker). Produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez.
- "Long as We Believe" - Siedah Garrett and David Swanson – 4:06 (P. Glass/N.M. Walden/W. Afanasieff/T. Bahler/S. Garrett). Produced by Narada Michael WaldenNarada Michael WaldenNarada Michael Walden is an American producer, drummer, singer, and songwriter. He was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s and his musical career spans three decades, in which he was awarded several gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards...
. - "Curves" - Siedah Garrett – 5:00 (P. Glass/N.M. Walden). Produced by Narada Michael Walden.
- "Taste" - Siedah Garrett and David Swanson – 5:28 (D. Swanson/S. Garrett). Produced by Narada Michael Walden.
- "Showdown" - Pulse featuring Adele Bertei – 5:43 (Jellybean/S. Bray/Toni C.). Produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez.
- "Survive" - Kip Lennon – 3:40 (T. Bahler/B. Walsh). Produced by Brock Walsh.
- "Fast Forward" - Kip Lennon – 4:01 (B. Walsh/T. Bahler/J. Van Tongeren/B. Hull). Produced by Brock Walsh.