For all you “Kids of the 80s”, you are going to enjoy this new comedy coming to theatres this week. In the common tradition of trends from two decades ago making a come back, the kids of the 1980’s will have a trip down memory lane when you challenged your friends to a dance-off. In the movie, “Kickin’ It Old School”, we follow the life of Justin Schumacher who back in 1985 wanted win the heart of his dream girl by showing off his dance moves. Justin and his posse, the Funky Fresh Boyz, entered in the school talent show. All was good until Justin did a back flip that send him flying off stage and into a coma. In a “Rip Van Winkle” sleep, Justin awakes as a mid-thirties man to find that everything he knew in the world had changed.
With his parents in debt, his posse grew up and lost their ways, and his dream girl is now engaged to his former nemesis, Justin is now on a quest to prove that ol’ school is still cool! His chance for redemption comes in the form of a $100,000 dance competition. Can Justin reform the Funky Fresh Boyz, win the contest and get his dream girl? Jesse “Casper” Brown sat down with us to talk about the art of break dancing and more.
Jesse Brown:
Your boy Casper representing from “Kickin It Old School” What’s up?
EM:
Doing fine yourself?
JB:
I’m doing alright. Can’t complain.
EM:
So tell me what is your role in the film?
JB:
I am playing like his nemesis dancing wise. I am like his dance nemesis basically.
EM:
Wow, that’s amazing. Tell me about your dancing background.
JB:
I mean I have been dancing all my life professionally probably three years, breaking probably six to seven years. So I have been doing it a while
EM:
SO did you have to do extensive training before the role?
JB:
No not really. I came into the place not really knowing what’s going on in the audition. I just went for it. Jamie kennedy came to do some acting and thought I was really good. So they gave me the role which was cool and we went from there.
EM:
When was the first time in your life that you realize that you wanted to be a dancer?
JB:
I have danced all my life because my dad was a musician, he was a drummer. He always influenced me on James Brown or whatnot. I got into dancing probably when I was with my sister and she teaches me the six step, which is a full-worth basic foundation breaking move. We were watching Beat Street which is an old film.
EM:
Ah yes, I remember that back in the day.
JB:
Beat Street, you know what I am saying. Yeah after I saw that my sister teaches me and I went from there.
EM:
Was it hard to incorporate the 80’s dance steps for a modern 2007 film?
JB:
Not really, not really. Our choreographer was Shabado from Breakin’ he is a very talented dude. Very down to earth nice guy. So he choreograph everything and obviously he is from the 80s, so he knows what’s up! I helped as his assistant and I break professionally. It wasn’t too hard for me.
EM:
Do you have any upcoming projects?
JB:
I do but I want to stick with the movie to help promote the film. I will be battling like always in competition.
EM:
So tell about the latest competition you were in?
JB:
A couple of weeks ago, I just won in Korea, the national championships. It was fun a bit of a culture shock but lots of fun. It was the first time USA ever won in Korea so it was a big deal for me and it was dope
EM:
What kind of dancing did you do at the competition?
JB:
In the competition, its just strictly breaking. Basically yes this is what I do what I am best at, you know what I saying. Just Breakin’
EM:
Well, thank you very much for your time. I really do appreciate it.
JB:
For Sure!
Kicking it Old Skool opens Nationwide, Friday April 27,2007.
EM Feature Interview
By Dean Rogers
Originally Posted, 04/26/07