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THE BLACK SPOTLIGHT
Shining A Light on African American Entertainment & Culture
(June 19) When we look at films, we look at the chemistry taking place in front of the camera
but neglect to acknowledge the actual science that is taking place behind it. Troy Whitehurst
is one of those scientists who is stirring things up behind the scenes.
The Charlotte resident has made a name for himself in the film industry. A graduate of North
Carolina A&T, Whitehurst who is well known under the pseudonym Spike Spillberg is a radio
show host and CEO of his own film company, Skeebo Films (Self Knowledge Elevates
Everything Being Original). With countless short films on his resume, the 31-year old
filmmaker and father of two (one here and one on the way) has recently released his first
feature, Victim of Circumstance.
The Black Spotlight (BSL) speaks with Troy Whitehurst (TW) about his beginnings as a
filmmaker, Victim of Circumstance and his involvement in the community.
BSL When did your interest in film-making start?
TW It began while I was in college. I actually started out as an actor and through learning the
craft of acting and doing plays on campus. I was approached by a gentleman to do some
films. I ended up being on different film sets and watching the process and how it was done. It
started out as a class project and we did a short film called, The Fuzz and the Jive. I was a
producer on the project as well as an actor in it. I started sending it to film festivals, taking it
around showing it and really generating revenue from that one film.
BSL That’s awesome.
TW We had another bonus. Being that I was in the entrepreneurship program, I had to write a
business plan. At that particular time, I was involved in these films and plays so I wrote a
business plan for a film company. My plan ended up winning first place so I got a grant from
the school. I got some equipment and that’s how I really started doing my own projects and
commercials.
BSL How long have you been a filmmaker professionally?
TW Eight years.
BSL Since pursuing your career as a filmmaker, what has been some of the
challenges you have had to face?
TW Finding financing for various projects. I’ve done countless short films and other projects.
Having people understand the role of the filmmaker and how the business works. I’ve spent
the past eight years learning the craft as well as learning the business side of it. Before I got
into the feature film side of it, I wanted to make sure I knew as much about the business of
filmmaking as possible. If someone wants to invest in a project, I needed to know that I can
make it happen where I can generate the revenue to give them their money back plus a profit.
BSL I read that you have done some voice-over work also.
TW Being that I worked in radio for five years, I use to do commercials for a lot of my clients. I
did commercials for Krispy Kreme, Target, Cox Cable and some for different events. I can’t
even think of all them now. I did a lot of the local commercials here.
BSL In other words, you have been busy.
TW Pretty much. It was part of my job. I worked in Virginia and then in Charlotte at Power 98.
I always wanted to do my own show. Being that I was in sales, I had to settle for doing the
voiceovers but it got to where it wasn’t fulfilling. I got this voice. Even when I would meet my
clients on a sales call, they would ask, “which one are you on the air.” I was hearing for years
and years. I left radio back in June and decided I wanted to do my own show. So I started my
own online radio show, which is Spike Spillberg Live from the Director’s Chair.
but neglect to acknowledge the actual science that is taking place behind it. Troy Whitehurst
is one of those scientists who is stirring things up behind the scenes.
The Charlotte resident has made a name for himself in the film industry. A graduate of North
Carolina A&T, Whitehurst who is well known under the pseudonym Spike Spillberg is a radio
show host and CEO of his own film company, Skeebo Films (Self Knowledge Elevates
Everything Being Original). With countless short films on his resume, the 31-year old
filmmaker and father of two (one here and one on the way) has recently released his first
feature, Victim of Circumstance.
The Black Spotlight (BSL) speaks with Troy Whitehurst (TW) about his beginnings as a
filmmaker, Victim of Circumstance and his involvement in the community.
BSL When did your interest in film-making start?
TW It began while I was in college. I actually started out as an actor and through learning the
craft of acting and doing plays on campus. I was approached by a gentleman to do some
films. I ended up being on different film sets and watching the process and how it was done. It
started out as a class project and we did a short film called, The Fuzz and the Jive. I was a
producer on the project as well as an actor in it. I started sending it to film festivals, taking it
around showing it and really generating revenue from that one film.
BSL That’s awesome.
TW We had another bonus. Being that I was in the entrepreneurship program, I had to write a
business plan. At that particular time, I was involved in these films and plays so I wrote a
business plan for a film company. My plan ended up winning first place so I got a grant from
the school. I got some equipment and that’s how I really started doing my own projects and
commercials.
BSL How long have you been a filmmaker professionally?
TW Eight years.
BSL Since pursuing your career as a filmmaker, what has been some of the
challenges you have had to face?
TW Finding financing for various projects. I’ve done countless short films and other projects.
Having people understand the role of the filmmaker and how the business works. I’ve spent
the past eight years learning the craft as well as learning the business side of it. Before I got
into the feature film side of it, I wanted to make sure I knew as much about the business of
filmmaking as possible. If someone wants to invest in a project, I needed to know that I can
make it happen where I can generate the revenue to give them their money back plus a profit.
BSL I read that you have done some voice-over work also.
TW Being that I worked in radio for five years, I use to do commercials for a lot of my clients. I
did commercials for Krispy Kreme, Target, Cox Cable and some for different events. I can’t
even think of all them now. I did a lot of the local commercials here.
BSL In other words, you have been busy.
TW Pretty much. It was part of my job. I worked in Virginia and then in Charlotte at Power 98.
I always wanted to do my own show. Being that I was in sales, I had to settle for doing the
voiceovers but it got to where it wasn’t fulfilling. I got this voice. Even when I would meet my
clients on a sales call, they would ask, “which one are you on the air.” I was hearing for years
and years. I left radio back in June and decided I wanted to do my own show. So I started my
own online radio show, which is Spike Spillberg Live from the Director’s Chair.
Troy Whitehurst
IN THE BLACK
SPOTLIGHT:
TROY WHITEHURST
The Man Behind the Science of Film
SPOTLIGHT:
TROY WHITEHURST
The Man Behind the Science of Film