If you are anything like me, anything dealing with Tubi might seem like a joke to you. Especially, when all the platform has gone viral for those really bad movies (seriously, was Ms. Jackson, the gym teacher from Newark High School, in that one bar scene?!). Nevertheless, I have decided to give Tubi a chance and, hopefully, by the end of this article, you will, too. I am always one for a good independent movie and unashamedly so when it comes from someone from a more disadvantaged background. And that is what I have come to love about Tubi. It is what Netflix was when it first got started with “Netflix Originals”: a professional platform for independent creatives to build an audience for their work. Enter Dorell Reynolds: Wilmington, Delaware native and owner of A Rellikiss Productions. This article will spotlight a small snippet into his journey as a filmmaker and his newest release, featured on Tubi, The Come Up.
About the producer/director
Dorell Reynolds, AKA Rellikiss (namesake of the production company), began his journey into film at the age of eight when his dad bought him a camera for Christmas. Always having been the class clown, Reynolds used his Christmas gift to bring laughter by writing scripts and shooting movies with kids he grew up with in his neighborhood. The movie that has brought him attention today, The Come Up, was written around that time after one of his friends came up with the idea … more about that in the interview below.
As he grew up, particularly around the age of 12, he began to make more independent movies and funny videos to post on YouTube. Once social media became prominent, he started gaining an audience, and even going viral, through prank videos and funny skits. All the while, he kept dreaming of people flocking into the movie theaters to watch his movies. The Come Up became the gateway to that dream when finally, after three unsuccessful attempts and many years later, production began in earnest in 2019. The movie was first published in 2021 on YouTube like the rest of Mr. Reynolds’s work but with a stroke of luck, Mr. Huggins (“Victor” in The Come Up) secured a connection to Tubi. The representative, disheartened by the mediocre work put on Tubi by previous connections, wanted to watch the film before she gave an okay for it to be published on the site. A few days later, Mr. Reynolds was greeted excitedly on the phone by the representative saying she loved the movie. Within no time, a contract was signed and the movie was promised to be on Tubi soon. Soon being used relatively here as Mr. Reynolds soon found out. After 9 months of waiting and continued promotion of the release, Mr. Reynolds had called the representative to tell her never mind, “ it doesn’t seem to be happening”. Nonetheless, the representative told him not to lose hope and that things were still in the works. One year after starting the process, Mr. Rellikiss received an email stating the movie had been published on the website. During our phone conversation, he said, “Everything is a process!” He later expressed a piece of advice he gives to aspiring creatives often, “If you are truly talented and truly gifted…you gon’ win.”
Summary and short review of the movie
Of course, I couldn’t let this article finish without talking about the movie that brought us here. The Come Up is set on the west side of the inner city of Wilmington, Delaware. The movie begins by introducing our main characters: Shawn (Delonte Oliveri), Jerome (Dorell Reynolds), and Victor (DeAndre Huggins). Three young men with three different problems led them to a scheme to steal over $100,000. So, they steal it from a bank or high-class store, right? Nope! Our main characters decide to steal from two drug dealers, who due to some inopportune events, are beefing with each other. You will witness gunfights, a kidnapping, and…Jerome, the tough guy, begging for his life. As you travel on this journey abounding with action and laughter, you will also learn lessons about life and how to make opportunities while being raised in the “hood”. If that sounds interesting to you, watch it here on Tubi!
A little bit about me, I have been studying film and filmmaking since I was 14 years old. I was taught all the technical stuff about filmmaking like camera angles, the “rule of thirds”, et cetera. I have also been strong with writing and storytelling, even to the point of winning awards during my secondary school years. All this to say, I love a damn good story and The Come Up has a damn good story! It follows the crime and comedy genres/gangster subgenres without being too corny or preachy. That’s big because sometimes Black filmmakers, with the best intentions I am sure, can come off as pushing a narrative for people to better themselves- a point echoed many times before the writing of this article. However, Mr. Reynolds, the actors, and the production crew did a wonderful job conveying a message but keeping it fun.
Another thing I loved about this movie, being raised in Wilmington myself, was how it kept true to our culture. Every city has its own culture that informs how we speak and relate to others and Wilmington is no different. I love the genuineness of this movie and how it proclaims unabashedly, “We are from Wilmington and we’re proud of it!”
Conclusion
In closing, I hope I was able to spark your interest in at least one movie on Tubi. Whether you’re a fan of independent movies or not, I think The Come Up is worth the watch. Plus, supporting the arts and diverse perspectives in every industry is always great. Dorell Reynolds strives to be the best role model he can in a city that needs it desperately. He keeps it genuine and that comes across in his work- I hope you will watch the movie soon and agree!
Now, for the good part… The Interview
Interviewee: Producer/Director- Dorell Reynolds
Interviewer: Candace Foreman
Give me a little bit of your background.
I’ve always been funny and a class clown. At about the age of eight, I decided to put it to use when I got my first camera [Dad bought it for Christmas]. [I] started writing scripts and shooting movies with the kids in the neighborhood. I taught myself how to edit. The first movie I ever dropped was called Brandywine and I was about nine years old when it dropped. I always knew I wanted to do comedy from watching the Martin show.
What was your inspiration for making The Come Up?
I was making movies in the neighborhood and all the adults used to buy my DVDs. One of my older friends liked the movie and asked if I could write something he could be a part of. So, I transitioned to more of an adult film [writing] and wrote The Come Up in 2009.
What was your favorite part of the production?
Finishing! Shooting a movie is not fun and it’s not easy but the final product is what I love.
What was your least favorite part of the production?
When you are shooting a movie with no budget and independently, it’s hard-working with a big cast…everyone has different schedules. So, it’s hard to get everybody to show up to shoot their scenes.
What are some lessons you learned during the production of this film?
Patience. You have to have patience when dealing with a lot of people because when you have a big cast, you have different schedules, and you have to deal with multiple people’s attitudes, and tardiness. A lot of times, I had to build up the energy so people could see the vision of how a scene [should be] done.
What are some of your upcoming projects?
We will be dropping a new film called Major Payback this summer. Afterwards, that will also be on Tubi. I am currently writing a new movie, so, right after Major Payback is wrapped up, we will begin rehearsals for my newest film. I have a few shows [De Funatics, Battle Wars], live events [standup comedy, concerts with Delaware music artists], and albums that I’m currently working on as well. So, we have a lot going on.
For more information on Dorell Reynolds and his upcoming work:
SUBMITTED BY: Candace Foreman
Candace Foreman is an alumnus from the University of Delaware who has a passion for writing, film, and equitable healthcare. She tries to relate her emotions and perspectives in her writing while staying approachable. You might her catch on the stage, runway, or just chilling in her apartment watching her favorite YouTube channel.
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