I’d normally wouldn’t post a comment as an entry because, well, you can find it on the comments section. But, I was so feeling a commentary from one Ernest Dancy that I decided to post it for all to see - so here it is, Ernest’s moment of fame on 3stonesback.com… This brother is the epitome of the 3 Stones Back movement… Are you 3 Stones back?

I’m from Redhook, Brooklyn. Thats where I was raised. Smith & 9th st. was my stop. My game was born in Redhook, and that Train stop was my portal to other parts of the city. That train took me one stop to Park slope, to 51’s, to the 9th st YMCA to get my rep up. The site of the buildings, of daylight after leaving that tunnel were and still are refreshing. It’s natural and real. I balled underneathe the train overpass and smith & 9th st. That train allowed me to still be able to play ball outside on rainy days without getting wet. Everytime I ride it I get flashbacks of childhood memories. I still get happy after leaving the carrol street stop because I know sunshine or moonlight await me in a matter of seconds. Looking out that window is like having a great view of the rest of the world. Smith & 9th st separated the projects from Park slope and the rest of the world. But for those like me who wouldn’t be compelled to repeat the cycle of what goes on , when one is enclosed by red bricks. It served as a railway to opportunity. Just One stop away. You know your father was a good father because of how much you feel you’ve lost because of his passing. You also Know that your dad did a hell of a job raising you because you keep talking on those phones, making this film happen, and completing what he would have wanted you to finish. Keep on keeping on Brother! Give that voice to the voiceless. Make them hear us!
- Ernest Dancy -

That inspiring ride…

Before you start killing us on this next one, cop a seat at the Oscar-qualifying screening of Bobby and then catch Weapons at an indie theater near you and tell us that Nick Cannon is not more than a popcorn matinee idol straight outta Nickelodeon. We are looking to flip that nice guy, average-acting image on its head with our latest attachment…

Nick Cannon will be our Mico on the big screen. We’re stupid with excitement on this choice. This ain’t your little brother’s or your daughter’s Nick, this is Nick the serious actor. Understand that you will see your favorite Wild’n Out host in a whole new way. Rocking to “Hector” by Village Caller, putting a beer can on his nuggets and thinking he’s fly in a green Dickies on Dickies ensemble, he will become the greasy Mico in no uncertain terms.

Nick will bring it, so grab your hat, cock it to the side and watch my man literally reinvent himself in Ball Don’t Lie…

When a favorite hero falls, you find yourself thinking a lot about the things that inspired that person, and, by default, you. My pops guided me in many ways, but most of all, he is responsible for the manner in which I study the world. The things that inspire me, inspire me because of my father. He taught me that it all matters: Every person, every look, every moment, every block, every word, every breath. He made me want to observe this world and then go put my foot in it.

My father was a poet. So I find myself processing the passing of a poet as a poet might - in reflection of the beauty in the details around me: The way those flowers sent wilt in the October sun, the cigarette laced breath of the EMT that pronounced that my father isn’t coming back from lung cancer, the sweet banter of manhood on a hoops court, the dolly shot to start THE DEPARTED, the strength of CL Smooth’s voice over a rising beat, or the roll of the ocean at the foot of the pier.

de la’s blog about Brooklyn nights got me thinking about how the BK inspired me.

The F at Smith & 9th.

We are fired up to add another important piece to our evolving cast puzzle. We are fortunate enough to have Jerry Ferrara join what we believe will be an incredible ensemble. You may know Jerry from Entourage, but we hope you will soon think of BDL when you see his grille.

He is a great, authentic addition in the role of Julius, the group home mentor who first puts a ball in Sticky’s hand. Jerry will be absolutely perfect in this spot. He’s real and he’s talented - the two organic ingredients that we are searching for in all our casting picks.

Some kids scared to die but are scared of living
All the dirt that I did God is very forgiving
With the sharks I’m swimming, for the cake and the trimming
Get possessed by life, money, drugs and women
Straight ahead dog with no stops kid
Don’t want to get shot in my back like my pops did
Too many questions and not enough answers
Life’s about chances, major labels and big advances
What I saw in my life will make the softest dude harden.

-Ed OG-

I’ve been absent from this blog for a stretch because one of my best friends in this world and one of my most important spiritual guides, my pop, passed on from our earth a week ago. His body simply gave out from the cancer and subsequent drugs that ravaged it for the last six months. It’s amazing how quick six months can feel when you look back on them, not knowing how important they will be in your life’s journey. Remember how long a school year felt when you where in the fifth grade? I was sure I had an infinite amount of walks to school with my pop back in the day. Then I got grown and time started flying.

In a month, I will eulogize my pop in a public forum, but for the moment, I simply attempt to make sense of something senseless and work to recall all the things that he was while on this earth and continues to be in the core of my soul. My pop was a philosopher, a comedian, a poet, a wizard of words, a navigator, an explorer, a humanitarian, a politician, and, most purely, a noble, decent person who was interested primarily in unearthing and celebrating the good that resides inside people. He attacked life with wit, an open heart and a smile, and I hope I can continue to do the same.

My pop, Tim Hill, was most certainly one of the good ones to walk this earth. I aim to live up to his name and to walk like a warrior in his shoes. Tim Hill changed my life with all that he had to give and he asked me, without ever asking, to do the same for others. Like Mos Def’s mother Umi, my pop wants me to shine light on this world – Ball Don’t Lie will be our light and we got a lot of it to give.

My pop with my daughter, Althea, on his birthday two years ago.

“At first I’ll take a little lead to lead the whole world
Jump and make the earth shake and expose the fake
This is no coincidence, this was bound to be
Tell the young history is bein made.”
-Sadat X -

This film will be something folks will take notice of… This is a truth I know because truth will be exposed.

Overall, this was a real good week. We had great meetings with potential financiers. The legendary Sir Ben Kingsley, he is a knight, yo, and his company read the script and are feeling our little movie. We met with almost all the agencies to discuss which of their actors we can add to our already amazing cast. The ish is moving and it feels good.

We are finally being given an audience with people who can help make this film a reality and that’s all we can ask for… Give us a shot to get the folks to make this thing special and I know we will land some. We are out to a handful of important actors who can shape our film and complete financing. At least, we are in the gym, now it’s time to see when it’s our turn to shine. That run is coming, a real opportunity to do this is something we can finally feel. That’s what’s racing through our veins… Excitement.

I’m being given an audience with decision makers - and some of them are even chasing us for their clients (we sat with Nelly yesterday) - and it takes me back to the days when I was stepping onto asphalt courts as a 150 lbs, scrawny kid looking for a shot to shine. Then I hit that first little jumper, maybe caught a put-back off the rim, vic’d a pass and finger-rolled it in the other way, and my heart starting pounding. Eyes narrowed, hands slapped together on d, anger ran along jawlines in a ripple through the other team, and I knew that I’d arrived… I feel that same wave riding my body right now… We are on the brink of something really, really special and I know folks are gonna be forced to finally pay us some mind.

My apologies for not getting after it on the old blogisphere, but things have ridiculously hectic on streets of the life we call Brin’s. I only have a moment as I stop and pop on a keyboard at a coffee shop in Santa Monica owned by the legendary adopted local Bob Dylan.

I’ve been wanting to update you on all the going-ons of the project, but it’s been crazy bouncing between countless meetings on the film and dealing with the sickness of my pops. So, in brief, I will say that we are full-court pressing on a couple major actors to come on board. If we get a yes from either or both, we will be shooting very, very soon. Keep your fingers crossed on those folks.  Now, I’m off to a meeting with a hip-hop star turned actor who wants to get down with our film. I’m not sold on him, but we’ll see if he sells himself or merely thinks we are going to hang on his jock ’cause of his name. His people called the meeting, not us… I’ll get up with you again soon. Look for a flurry of blogs over the next week. We are bringing the heat.