a Brandi  Mitchell  film

 THE FILM

 

POINT AND DRIVE is a documentary that presents the passion, talents, history, struggles and triumphs of the most imitated marching band of all time, The Florida A&M University Marching 100 from the voices of it’s successful alumni spanning over four decades.  It also shows the beauty and anatomy of the Historically Black College and University [HBCU] halftime show which the Marching 100’s founder, Dr. William P. Foster innovated, while chronicling the bands influence on young adults from all societal backgrounds; forever changing our lives, culture and traditions.
 

Starring Grammy Winning Jazz legends like Scotty Barnhart, Wycliffe Gordon and Vincent Gardner, all of whom are alumni of the ground-breaking marching band and university, popular artists like Dwele, and a host of alumni from all "fields" of expertise, Point and Drive explores this tightly-knit underground culture that is the marching band. Shot over a three-year time period with unprecedented access, the film intimately explores what it takes to make the band, how it’s founder Dr. William P. Foster formed the band at the height of segregation, it’s historic rise, unexpected fall, and comeback after a 2011 hazing death which almost stopped the music from playing - indefinitely.

Through original interviews, music, live performances, dancing and rare archival footage and images, we learn that the process of mastering Point and Drive, which is actually the form of precision marching that makes the famed band so eye catching, is so much more – it transfers into an innate bar of excellence that is the measurement and standard for success in their lives.

 

Point and Drive tells the story of how the vision and passion of one soul can shape the lives of many, and the necessity of fighting to sustain what you believe in - no matter what happens. It is a story for people of all ages, one that will inspire, educate, and provoke a spirit of excellence.

 

 REVIEWS AND PRESS

NIKKI WEBBER ALLEN/

Emmy Award Winning Producer

Ask Brandi Mitchell what her secret to success has been and she will tell you very quickly her faith, and her experience in marching band have been the two driving forces which have allowed her to blaze paths that most would call “unconventional”. Brandi Mitchell is the owner of KORIS Publishing, a multi-faceted publishing and media company which helps to monetize the messages, intellectual property, and personas of great brands to it's audience through producing high caliber content in print, television, film, and digital media.

Brandi began her career in entertainment as a celebrity makeup and hair artist working on numerous projects for TLC, TBS, BET, MTV, and TV ONE with a diverse group of talent including Steve Harvey, Ruby Dee, Anthony Mackie, Eric Benet, to Eminem. But it was her exposure and intrigue to production that drove her to  explore directing and producing. Her collaborative learning experiences grant her the distinguishing edge to think out of the box, make a project marketable, and bring authentic truth to an audience to empower them to take action or see subjects in their true light.

 

Brandi took on the herculean task of independently creating, producing, directing, and financing Point and Drive®, which she credits as her greatest teacher in the film industry. Brandi got the inspiration to create Point and Drive while sitting in the homegoing service of her beloved band director of the Florida A&M University Marching 100, Dr. William P. Foster. It was in that service that she realized she felt the same way just 5 years previously at her high school band directors homegoing, Mr. Bobby L. Brown - that the power and brilliance of who they were needed to be celebrated and that a story on who you become because of music needed to have it’s voice. She knew it would only be a matter of time before she had to tell the story of what the band meant to her and thousands of band members across the globe.

 

“ You always hear people say that “they” should do this, or that”, I believe that the “they” that you’re referring to is usually YOU, says Brandi. “I believe that when you feel or see a need to help or in this instance, tell a story, you need to step up and be a part of the solution. Telling our story in Point and Drive was my part in helping to preserve the beauty of music education and honor the marching band, it’s teachers, and it’s schools and universities which have helped to make me, and so many of my colleagues who we are today”.

BRANDI MITCHELL

8th Grade

Drew Middle School Band - Detroit

Senior Year

Mackenzie High Band - Detroit

Sophmore Year

Florida A&M University

Marching 100

Brandi's Son Kory

Roswell High Marching Band

 

Want to see the film?

HOST A SCREENING

Bring your community together to further engage on issues like pursuing purpose, perserving HBCU's, fueling music and marching band programs, career and leadership development, and personal development. Inquire about our Empowerment Tour and how to host a local screening!

#IAMPOINTANDDRIVE

POINT AND DRIVE demonstrates that by operating in excellence and applying the lessons we learned through music , we have immense power to create change and inspire the next generation of musicians and youth. These alumni and successful individuals passionately  shared their stories and were able to transfer what they learned on the marching band field to their lives. What did being in the band teach you and who have you become because of music?

SOCIAL MEDIA

CONTACT US

ABOUT THE POINT AND DRIVE MOVEMENT

Point and Drive unites girls, women, boys and men: all those who have ever played in the band, were fans of the band, or support music programs to share their stories, and be a part of the movement to provide todays young adults the resources and opportunity to explore music. Point and Drive also wants to be the spark to "reignite the drive" in those who may need to revisit their past accomplishments to empower them for the next phase in their lives and careers.  The movement uses the power of storytelling to build a global community designed to fuel the marching band community and their schools and universities, with emphasis on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCU]. The film, screenings, speaking, and social interaction are designed to raise awareness and inspire individuals to act on behalf of music programs, career development, and fulfill their birthright to pursue excellence no matter what age or stage they may be in life.

 

Point and Drive® was launched by three-time author, producer, and brand strategist Brandi Mitchell who also serves as the films producer and director and is the product of the benefits of being in a music program throughout her academic career.

 

The Point and Drive Movement includes:

POINT AND DRIVE

#IAM POINT AND DRIVE

KEYNOTES AND

PANEL DISCUSSIONS 

a documentary feature film

A platform to celebrate the success and accomplishments of former band members that are now influencing their communitites and career environment

Keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops on core messages discussed in the film: 

 

• music education: the importance of music and arts education, marching band programs

• college and career development

• personal development: using perseverance and discipline to create the life you want, and reigniting drive when faced with conflict or obstacles.