{"id":62896,"date":"2012-03-09T23:38:00","date_gmt":"2012-03-09T23:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2012\/03\/09\/vanessa-williams-rockmond-dunbar-to-star-in-raising-izzie\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T13:43:21","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T13:43:21","slug":"vanessa-williams-rockmond-dunbar-to-star-in-raising-izzie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/vanessa-williams-rockmond-dunbar-to-star-in-raising-izzie\/","title":{"rendered":"Vanessa Williams, Rockmond Dunbar to Star in Roger M. Bobb directorial debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vanessa Williams, Rockmond Dunbar to Star in Roger M. Bobb directorial debut<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

March 9, 2012<\/p>\n

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Production has begun in Atlanta on GMC TV\u2019s original feature film Raising Izzie<\/strong>, starring Vanessa Williams,<\/strong> Rockmond Dunbar, Kyla Kenedy<\/strong> and Victoria Staley<\/strong>. Directed by Roger M. Bobb<\/strong> marking his feature film directorial debut, the film will make its world television premiere on GMC TV in July.<\/p>\n

The grand-prize winner of the first annual GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition in 2011, Raising Izzie is the story of two young orphaned sisters and the caring teacher who changes their lives forever. The film marks the network\u2019s first collaboration with prolific producer, director and former Tyler Perry Studios executive Roger M. Bobb (For Colored Girls, \u201cHouse of Payne\u201d).<\/p>\n

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When their mother passes away leaving them without an adult guardian, sisters Izzie (Kyla Kenedy) and Gertie Nash (Victoria Staley) are forced to grow up fast. Afraid her daughters will be separated if they are placed in the foster care system, their mother makes the necessary arrangements for Gertie and Izzie to live on their own, with a bank account, apartment and small on-line business to support themselves. Older sister Gertie takes care of her little sister in addition to working and attending school. For a year, the girls are able to hide their predicament from their neighbors, their landlord and even their teachers. But when Tonya Freeman (Vanessa Williams), Gertie’s new teacher, becomes suspicious, the girls have to come up with a new plan to protect their secret. After Tonya confronts the girls and they confess to their situation, Tonya has to decide how to protect them and keep them together against the will of her husband Greg (Rockmond Dunbar).<\/p>\n

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\u201c\u2019Raising Izzie<\/strong>\u2019 is a wonderful story that will touch the hearts of people the world over\u201d says Bobb. \u201cIt is a wonderful reflection of the goodness that exists in this world and how individual kindness can offset sorrow and adversity in the lives of others, and bring unexpected joy to oneself. I\u2019m thrilled to be working with such a talented group of artists who will help me to bring these cherished characters and this heartwarming story to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising Izzie stars Daytime Emmy nominee and NAACP Image Award winner Vanessa Williams (\u201cLincoln Heights,\u201d Soul Food), Rockmond Dunbar (The Family That Preys, \u201cSons of Anarchy,\u201d Soul Food), Kyla Kenedy (Three Stooges, \u201cCSI: Crime Scene Investigation\u201d), and Victoria Staley (\u201cMy Parents, My Sister and Me\u201d, \u201cSurface\u201d). The film is written by David Martyn Conley, directed by Roger M. Bobb and Executive Produced by Brad Siegel.<\/p>\n

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Bobb formerly served as executive vice president of Tyler Perry Studios<\/strong> where he produced the acclaimed feature drama For Colored Girls<\/strong> as well as the hit comedy Madea\u2019s Big Happy Famil<\/strong>y. His numerous feature co-producing credits include Why Did I Get Married Too?, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Why Did I Get Married?<\/strong> and Madea\u2019s Family Reunion<\/strong>. On the small screen, he executive produced and directed numerous episodes of the hit television series \u201cMeet the Browns<\/strong>\u201d and served as supervising producer and director of select episodes of the long-running sitcom \u201cTyler Perry\u2019s House of Payne<\/strong>.\u201d Bobb has won six NAACP Image Awards and he is the only two time winner of the Best Film Award at Film Life\u2019s American Black Film Festival.<\/p>\n

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