Urban Independent Film “The Seat Filler” Tallies Record-Breaking Box Office Through New Theatrical Distribution Company

By Sandra Varner

In its opening night on a single screen, The Momentum Experience shattered box office expectations yesterday with the debut of its romantic comedy “The Seat Filler” to an over-capacity crowd at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.
The new theatrical distribution company aimed at urban filmgoers enjoyed brisk ticket sales in the two days preceding the event, with more than 50% of the box office incurred in the last 48 hours, a Fox Theatre record.
With an average ticket price of $25, the film’s projected tally is expected to exceed initial $50,000 per screen projections. Managing Partner Duane Martin and wife Tisha Campbell- Martin, both major investors in the new exhibition model, hosted the star-studded evening for an audience of more than 4,000 predominately African-American ticket holders.
The night began on a high note as Blair Underwood, the company’s Advisory Board Chair, introduced The Momentum Experience’s concept and legacy to the cheering crowd.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin then prompted applause and laughter with personal anecdotes about their relationship before presenting the company’s co-founders, CEO Nia Hill and COO D’Angela Steed.
Next, “The Seat Filler” costar DeRay Davis performed a 30- minute comedy set, which was followed by the film’s debut screening. As the curtain closed, 4,000- plus moviegoers rose en masse for an 8-minute standing ovation.
The Momentum Experience unspooled “The Seat Filler,” starring Martin and Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, for a wide cross-section of urban consumers last night, including celebrity guests Boris Kodjoe, Jenifer Lewis, Lynn Whitfield and platinum hip hop artist T.I.
Spanning some 140-feet from wall to wall, the Fox Theatre stage remains one of the widest ever built, providing a magnificent backdrop for the 70-foot projection of Momentum’s first release. “Duane, Tisha, Blair, D’Angela and I are completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support by the urban community of Atlanta.
The genuine excitement for both the company’s concept and “The Seat Filler” overall was beyond anything I can describe,” explains Hill.
“In all my years of producing and promoting urban entertainment, I’ve never witnessed anything like the rapturous response I saw last night. The sheer number of attendees shows that African-Americans are hungry for a positive and empowering theatrical experience. We are all so humbled and honored, and extend our appreciation to the thousands who came out last night to prove our point.”
Upcoming dates for The Momentum Experience presentation of “The Seat Filler” include: Baltimore - August 5, Washington DC - August 13 and Detroit - August 19. An Oakland/ Bay Area date is being lobbied for and strongly encouraged.
Founded in 2005 by Nia Hill and D’Angela Steed, along with Managing Partner Duane Martin, The Momentum Experience is a theatrical distribution entity designed to reach urban consumers through the screening of quality films outside of the movie multiplex. Will Smith and Tisha Campbell-Martin are investors in the exhibition model and Blair Underwood is chair of the advisory board.
The Momentum Experience marries the live urban theater model with the traditions of African-American filmmakers who self-distributed in the early 1900s, such as Oscar Michaeux. Momentum offers an enhanced entertainment component to the price of each ticket. The company plans to release 4-5 films with pre-shows per year in top urban markets.

Upcoming Reviews:
“The Dukes of Hazard” from Warner Brothers - Cousins Bo (Seann William Scott) and Luke Johnny Knoxville) Duke, with a little help from their cousin Daisy (Jessica Simpson) and Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson), egg on the authorities of Hazzard County, Boss Hogg and Sheriff Coltrane.

“Four Brothers” – A John Singleton film from Paramount Pictures starring Tyrese, Andre 3000, Mark Wahlberg, Terrence Dashon Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Sophia Vergara and Garrett Hedlund. Plot: Four brothers look to avenge their mother’s death. “The Skeleton Key” from Universal Pictures starring Kate Hudson and Joy Bryant. Plot: Ayoung woman helping care for an invalid in New Orleans finds herself caught in the middle of morbid goings- on centered on a group of Voodoo practitioners.

“40-Year Old Virgin” also from Universal Pictures starring Steve Carell (Bruce Almighty) Plot: Goaded by his buddies, a nerdy guy who has never “done the deed” only finds the urge getting stronger when he meets a single mother.