The Seat Filler
Encyclopedia
The Seat Filler is an American romantic
comedy
musical
film produced by the Company Production of Magnolia Home Entertainment, Seat Filler Productions, Shake Martin Films and Strange Fruit Films which released in 2004. It stars Kelly Rowland
, Duane Martin
, Melanie Brown
, Kyla Pratt
and Shemar Moore
. The movie received mainly average reviews.
The film is also recognized as Duane Martin's first (and to date, only) appearance in a musical film and Kelly Rowland's most successful film in a leading role performance.
at a big awards function where he meets a famous singer (Kelly Rowland). She believes he works in show business and he does nothing to disabuse her of this notion. That leads to him having to go to larger and larger measures to keep his lie going when their relationship continues.
. Melanie Brown
(LD 50 Lethal Dose, Spice World), aka Mel B, aka Scary Spice of the Spice Girls
, also has a sizable role as Jhnelle's best friend and assistant, Sandie. Actress/singer Tisha Campbell, wife of star Duane Martin
, receives a co-writing credit, while Will Smith
and Jada Pinkett-Smith serve as executive producers. R&B star Chante Moore
makes a brief stage appearance as well.
website which released on April 27, 2008 produced by Rob Lewis and Baskoash performed by Kelly Rowland which later released in digital downloads, the film used 28 songs featuring Chante Moore
, Michael Angelo Berry, Honey
, Brie
, Rick James
, Teena Marie
, Nastacia Kendall, Street Loyalty and many more. Rowland's contributed five songs including "Follow Your Destiny", "Train on a Track
" and Bad Habit.
which promoted so much as well as rowland's second album Ms. Kelly
.
.
Billboard
DVD Chart (top 40) at number 14 and sold over 160,000 copies. After seven weeks of release it has made an estimate of $6,847,722 in sales.
Special features
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
film produced by the Company Production of Magnolia Home Entertainment, Seat Filler Productions, Shake Martin Films and Strange Fruit Films which released in 2004. It stars Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
, Duane Martin
Duane Martin
Duane Martin is an American film and television actor.-Personal life:Martin was born in Dayton OH, and went to Dunbar High school and failed the 9th grade freshman year.Then met Tisha Campbell at the New York Liberty City Awards for the World records by doing backflips.-Career:Martin had a short...
, Melanie Brown
Melanie Brown
Melanie Janine "Scary Spice" Brown , often better known as Mel B, is an English pop singer-songwriter, actress, author and television presenter...
, Kyla Pratt
Kyla Pratt
Kyla Alissa Pratt is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Pratt was born in Los Angeles, the oldest of five children of Kecia Pratt-McCullar, a schoolteacher, and Johnny McCullar, a semi-professional basketball player....
and Shemar Moore
Shemar Moore
Shemar Franklin Moore is an American actor and former male fashion model. His most notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 to 2003.-Early life:Moore was...
. The movie received mainly average reviews.
The film is also recognized as Duane Martin's first (and to date, only) appearance in a musical film and Kelly Rowland's most successful film in a leading role performance.
Plot
The romantic comedy The Seat Filler stars Duane Martin as a law student working very hard to keep his head above water financially. He takes a job as a seat fillerSeat filler
A seat filler is a person who fills in an empty seat during an event. There are two types of Seat Fillers:1) a person who subscribes to a seat-filling theatre club. Members of these clubs help fill in unsold seats for theatre, music, film, sporting events, dance performances and other live events...
at a big awards function where he meets a famous singer (Kelly Rowland). She believes he works in show business and he does nothing to disabuse her of this notion. That leads to him having to go to larger and larger measures to keep his lie going when their relationship continues.
Lead roles
- Derrick (Duane MartinDuane MartinDuane Martin is an American film and television actor.-Personal life:Martin was born in Dayton OH, and went to Dunbar High school and failed the 9th grade freshman year.Then met Tisha Campbell at the New York Liberty City Awards for the World records by doing backflips.-Career:Martin had a short...
), is a down-but-not-quite-out law student struggling to pay the bills and get his homework in on time. In order to earn some much needed cash, Derrick takes a cushy evening job as a "seat filler", which requires him to attend awards shows around Hollywood sitting in vacant chairs so that when the cameras show the audience, it is always full of happy applauding people. It's not allowed for the seat fillers to converse with the actual celebrities in attendance, but one day, Derrick strikes up a conversation with a burgeoning pop star named jhnelle. - Jhnelle (Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
), an attractive and talented singer who is immediately drawn to Derrick. She mistakes him for an industry big-shot, and the two soon begin dating, but despite her maintenance that she isn't above a relationship with an average Joe, Derrick is in too deep to back out of his assumed persona. Now that they have feelings for each other, Derrick tries to find some way to tell her who he really is in a way that she might accept, but an easy solution doesn't appear possible. http://www.qwipster.net/seatfiller.htm
Casting
The Seat Filler should have additional appeal to R&B/pop fans that enjoy Rowland's work as a solo artist, as well her involvement as a member of the popular group, Destiny's ChildDestiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
. Melanie Brown
Melanie Brown
Melanie Janine "Scary Spice" Brown , often better known as Mel B, is an English pop singer-songwriter, actress, author and television presenter...
(LD 50 Lethal Dose, Spice World), aka Mel B, aka Scary Spice of the Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, also has a sizable role as Jhnelle's best friend and assistant, Sandie. Actress/singer Tisha Campbell, wife of star Duane Martin
Duane Martin
Duane Martin is an American film and television actor.-Personal life:Martin was born in Dayton OH, and went to Dunbar High school and failed the 9th grade freshman year.Then met Tisha Campbell at the New York Liberty City Awards for the World records by doing backflips.-Career:Martin had a short...
, receives a co-writing credit, while Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
and Jada Pinkett-Smith serve as executive producers. R&B star Chante Moore
Chanté Moore
Chanté Moore is an American R&B and jazz singer.-Biography:Born to a gospel minister, she grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing...
makes a brief stage appearance as well.
Cast
- Duane MartinDuane MartinDuane Martin is an American film and television actor.-Personal life:Martin was born in Dayton OH, and went to Dunbar High school and failed the 9th grade freshman year.Then met Tisha Campbell at the New York Liberty City Awards for the World records by doing backflips.-Career:Martin had a short...
- Derrick - Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
- Jhnelle - DeRay DavisDeRay DavisDeRay Davis is an American stand-up comedian and actor. DeRay began his career in the comedy clubs. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, He won the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and was a standout on the Cedric the Entertainer Tour...
- E.J. (Derrick's Best Friend) - Patrick FischlerPatrick FischlerPatrick Fischler is an American actor best known for his roles as Jimmy Barrett on the drama series Mad Men, Dharma Initiative worker Phil on the drama series Lost and Detective Kenny No-Gun on the police drama Southland...
- (Jhnelle's Assistant) - Melanie BrownMelanie BrownMelanie Janine "Scary Spice" Brown , often better known as Mel B, is an English pop singer-songwriter, actress, author and television presenter...
- Sandie (Jhnelle's Assistant/Best Friend) - Shemar MooreShemar MooreShemar Franklin Moore is an American actor and former male fashion model. His most notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 to 2003.-Early life:Moore was...
- Trent (Jhnelle's Boyfriend) - Kyla PrattKyla PrattKyla Alissa Pratt is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Pratt was born in Los Angeles, the oldest of five children of Kecia Pratt-McCullar, a schoolteacher, and Johnny McCullar, a semi-professional basketball player....
- Derrick's Sister - Glynn TurmanGlynn TurmanGlynn Russell Turman is an American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, director, and producer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High, math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford...
- Derrick's Dad - Sy SmithSy SmithSy Olivia Smith is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N...
- Fitz (VJ)
Songs from the movie
The film did not released any soundtrack, instead a promo single "I Need a Love" in YoutubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
website which released on April 27, 2008 produced by Rob Lewis and Baskoash performed by Kelly Rowland which later released in digital downloads, the film used 28 songs featuring Chante Moore
Chanté Moore
Chanté Moore is an American R&B and jazz singer.-Biography:Born to a gospel minister, she grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing...
, Michael Angelo Berry, Honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
, Brie
Brie
Brie is a historic region of France most famous for its dairy products, especially Brie cheese. It was once divided into two sections ruled by different feudal lords: the western Brie française, corresponding roughly to the modern department of Seine-et-Marne in the Île-de-France region; the...
, Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
, Nastacia Kendall, Street Loyalty and many more. Rowland's contributed five songs including "Follow Your Destiny", "Train on a Track
Train on a Track
"Train on a Track" is a pop/R&B song written by American producer Rob Fusari, Tiaa Wells, Balewa Muhammad and Sylvester Jordan for Kelly Rowland's solo debut album Simply Deep . It also was co-produced by Fusari and received a generally positive reception from music critics...
" and Bad Habit.
Track listing
- "I Need a Love" a pop song sang by Kelly Rowland written by Rob Lewis, Courtney Harrell and Cookie Lewis hits the YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
with successful views 52,640 and received positive reactions from the critics,specially rowland's singing ability compared with the voice of Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
. - "Follow Your Destiny" a R&B song sang by Kelly Rowland written by Rob Lewis, Courtney Harrell, Cookie Lewis and co-produced by Ethan Farmer with Kevin randolph hits the YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
with successful views 54,406 and received mixed positive and negative reactions from the critics. - "Flashback" a pop R&B song sang by Kelly Rowland hits the YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
with successful views 45,444 received positive reactions from the critics the song also in Rowland album Ms.Kelly, the song used in the ending part of the movie. - "Lost Without You" performed by Chante MooreChanté MooreChanté Moore is an American R&B and jazz singer.-Biography:Born to a gospel minister, she grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing...
. - "Ultimate Hollywood" written by Stephen James Edwards.
- "Alma Latina" written by Elizabeth Carbe.
- "Classic Romance" written by Linda Martinez.
- "Chicago Style" written by Larry Cohn.
- "Murder Battle" written by Johann Lestat.
- "Hollywood Stars" written by Linda Martinez.
- "Jungle Bee" written by Simon Holland.
- "Glances" written by I, Romeo.
- "Eazy Rider" written by Deklan Flynn.
- "Cajon Heat" written by Best Mekanic and Candence Blaze.
- "Think About It" performed by HoneyHoneyHoney is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
and written by Monique Francis. - "Boom" written by James Terry and Walter Scott produced by Great Scott performed by BrieBrieBrie is a historic region of France most famous for its dairy products, especially Brie cheese. It was once divided into two sections ruled by different feudal lords: the western Brie française, corresponding roughly to the modern department of Seine-et-Marne in the Île-de-France region; the...
. - "BlackOut" written by D.Vardelja performed by Baby Docks.
- "The Skate Thing" written and performed by Michael Angelo Berry.
- "Sometimes Love" written by Steve Harvey and Nia Long performed by Voyce.
- "In Case You Didnt Know" written by Rob Lewis and performed by Nastacia Kendall.
- "Do What It Do" written by Greg Charley and performed by Street Loyalty.
- "Fire and Desire" written by Rick JamesRick JamesJames Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
performed by Rick James and Teena MarieTeena MarieMary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
. - "Stop Boy" written and performed by Nastacia Kendall.
- "US2" written by Dan-lala and performed by Trendaettas.
- "About You" written by David Hunter and Carlton Martin performed by Diamond Malone.
- "Bad Habit" written by Kelly Rowland, Solange KnowlesSolange KnowlesSolange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
and Bryn Michael Cox performed by Kelly Rowland, hits the YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
with successful views 133,177 views (the seat filler's most successful song) and received positive reactions from the critics specially rowland's voice and the massage of the song, the song also in Destiny's Child album Destiny FulfilledDestiny FulfilledDestiny Fulfilled is the fourth and final studio album by American R&B trio Destiny's Child, first released in North America on November 16, 2004. It marked the return of Destiny's Child after it went into hiatus, which allowed each member to release solo albums...
. - "Train on a TrackTrain on a Track"Train on a Track" is a pop/R&B song written by American producer Rob Fusari, Tiaa Wells, Balewa Muhammad and Sylvester Jordan for Kelly Rowland's solo debut album Simply Deep . It also was co-produced by Fusari and received a generally positive reception from music critics...
" is a pop/R&B song performed by Kelly Rowland, written by American producer Rob FusariRob FusariRob Fusari is a record producer and songwriter, possibly best known for his work with American recording artist Lady Gaga.-Early life:Born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey, Fusari began studying classical piano at age eight, and became so skilled as a pianist, that he started performing in...
, Tiaa Wells, Balewa Muhammad and Sylvester Jordan and it was co-produced by Fusari and received a generally positive reception from music critics. it entered the top twenty in the UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. - "Lets Go Back" written by Timothy Bloom performed by KeysKEYSKEYS is a radio station serving the Corpus Christi, Texas area with a sports format. It broadcasts on AM frequency 1440 kHz and is licensed to Malkan AM Associates, L.P.-History:...
.
Box office performance
The film debuted 18 in the box office top twenty for the week, grossing $4,812,287 in 287 cinemas. It averaged $4,410 at 2,905 sites, and earned a total domestic gross ticket sales of $10,238,923. Worldwide, the film grossed $17,972,898.Promotion
The film have been promoted only at the United States hit talk-show The Tyra Banks ShowThe Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
which promoted so much as well as rowland's second album Ms. Kelly
Ms. Kelly
Ms. Kelly is the second solo studio album by American R&B singer Kelly Rowland. It was released by Columbia Records in collaboration with Music World Entertainment and Sony Music during the third quarter of 2007, beginning with most European territories on June 22...
.
Reviews
The film has received mainly average reviews. Garnering a rating of 3/5 stars, Vince Leo of Qwipster.net states that "While it isn't a must-see film by any means, never rising above a level of being merely pleasantly enjoyable, for those that enjoy romantic comedies, this one has enough moments of cleverness and natural charm to justify seeking out" Andy Dursin of The Aisle Seat gave the film 2.5/4 stars staying "This romantic comedy with an African-American cast was capably directed by Nick Castle (“The Last Starfighter”) and offers an appealing cast, with the two leads generating believable chemistry throughout" HomeTheaterInfo.com also gave the film 2.5/4 stars praising Rowland by stating the she "has what it takes to be a romantic comedy success, she is pretty, talented and be the girl next door or the sought after star. She also connects well with her fellow actors here providing a performance that the audience to become emotional invested with her character."Broadcasting
The film was probably unnoticed when it first came out in movie theaters, but did well in DVD sales. June 28, 2006, the movie get a network premiere on BETBet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
.
DVD release
The DVD was released 20 July 2005 in U.S.A, on its second week of release the DVD entered United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
DVD Chart (top 40) at number 14 and sold over 160,000 copies. After seven weeks of release it has made an estimate of $6,847,722 in sales.
Special features
- All-Access featurette
- Deleted scenes
- Extended Performance of "Follow Your Destiny" by Kelly Rowland
Recognitions
- 2004 Debuted at #18 on Box Office Top Twenty Weekly
- 2005 #14 on United States BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
DVD Chart (top 40)