October 1, 2007 - On Tuesday, October 9th, The Center for Communications will hold a discussion between two successful film producers, Lee Daniels and Monty Ross. Daniels produced the critically acclaimed 2002 hit Monster’s Ball, starring Halle Berry. Berry made history by becoming the first black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. With an increased amount of respect in the industry, Daniels went on to produce the controversial film, The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon and Mos Def. Last year he made his directorial debut with Shadowboxer, starring Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Monty Ross, who was classmates with Spike Lee at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, went on to produce a number of Lee’s films and helped run Lee’s production company, 40 Acres and a Mule. Ross has producer credits on the films Do The Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, and Clockers.

The Center for Communication is an independent media forum, launched in 1980 by former CBS president Dr. Frank Stanton and Museum of Television & Radio president, the late Dr. Robert Batscha, to bridge the gap between the communications industry and the schools. The Center, supported by the industry, is nonprofit and nonpartisan.

For more information on the Center for Communication and the October 9th panel, click here.