Spike Lee Master Class: She’s Gotta Have It Episode 10
SXSW – Austin Convention Center, March 11, 2018
Article by Stacey Lovett and Photography by Jim Chapin
Spike Lee’s Master Class featured the background behind his 2017 Netflix series adaptation of his film, She’s Gotta Have It, as well as some grounding advice for fans and upcoming talent in the industry.
The season finale of the first season screened prior to Lee’s lecture, both filled with unbarred honesty, uncomfortable to hear for some but undoubtedly necessary to seek personal freedom in your life and artistry. This episode aptly represented the revolutionary character of Nola and opened up the dialogue that in order to be true to yourself, it must be on your own terms; that discomfort can be a good thing, forcing us to react, move, and evolve; that objectification is open to interpretation as well as the importance of openness and candor. And Spike Lee did not falter in being open in any of his advice which was a refreshing and real experience to everyone in attendance.
As many questions arose about the original 1986 film, Lee repeatedly stated his wish to not recover something he did 30 years ago – he wrote the first and last episodes for the adaptation for Netflix, the latter paying homage to the original, but leaving the remainder of the series in the hands of his strong team of writers. His advice to those trying to make it in the film industry today was to make no excuses, hustle, use all of your available means, and immerse yourself in a creative community. Get the job done. To get the job, you have to perform. His bluntness came as a moment of discomfort for those who asked that question but his background of hard work in all of his projects – much from grassroots kickstarting – further demonstrates the credibility of his advice. To be a master you have to put the time in, work at it every single waking moment.
Spike Lee planted the seed of Nola Darling’s ideals in the terms of artistry and success to the sold-out room, and with his radical candor, the future of film and society can only benefit from listening and heeding that very advice.
About Spike Lee
Spike Lee (Creator/Executive Producer/Director) recently released his first TV series, the contemporary update of “She’s Gotta Have It” on Netflix. Season two of She’s Gotta Have It goes into production in 2018. Lee’s iconic body of work includes “School Daze,” “Do The Right Thing,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” “Inside Man,” “Jungle Fever,” “Bamboozled,” “Crooklyn”, “Chiraq,” “She Hate Me,” “25th Hour,” “Clockers,” and such outstanding documentary work as the double Emmy Award winning “If God Is Willing” and “da Creek Don’t Rise” and the Peabody Award winning “A Huey P Newton Story.” Lee recently directed the Netflix Original Film “Rodney King.” Spike Lee is a two-time Oscar nominee (“Do The Right Thing” and “4 Little Girls”) and was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 2015 for his lifetime achievement and contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences. Most recently Lee wrapped production on “Black Klansman.” Lee’s new filmed stage production “Pass Over” will be available to Stream on Prime Video exclusively starting in April 2018.
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SPIKE LEE PHOTO GALLERY
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