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Andre Gaines doesn’t know the first time he heard “Boo-Yah” erupt out of his television set during an episode of SportsCenter, but he vividly remembers the man who made the phrase famous. That man was Stuart Scott, a pioneering sports anchor who brought a never-before-seen type of personality to his broadcasting, keeping viewers entertained with quips like as cool as the other side of the pillow, make all the kinfolk proud, and you ain’t got to go home but you got to get the heck up outta here. “This guy really was the usher of modern hip hop into the mainstream,” said Gaines, a two-time Emmy-nominated producer, writer and director. “He had this flair and attitude that we just had not seen.” Scott died from cancer in 2015 at the age of 49. Now, thanks to Gaines, the world is getting a reintroduction to the legendary anchor in Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott, which debuts Dec. 10 on ESPN. The Gaines-directed film is the latest installment in the network’s 30 for 30 series. As a college journalism major, Gaines learned early not to insert himself — or really any self-expression — into his reporting. What he loved about Scott was that the anchor flipped that mindset on its head, showing people — particularly young Black men — that it was OK to use their own voice. “What was interesting about Stuart is that a lot of people are ahead of their time, and then they kind of get phased out because the times catch up with them,” Gaines said. “What Stuart was able to do was be ahead of his time and maintain his position when the times caught up. He’s one of those prolific, profound, super humans, as I call them, who have done something on this Earth that will leave a resounding legacy that we can all glean from in the future.” Spotlighting unique storiesGaines has a fascination with legacies. Through his company Cinemation Studios, he’s directed or produced a variety of films and television series focused on people with unique stories. In 2021, he executive produced the HBO four-part documentary series, The Lady and the Dale about Elizabeth Carmichael, a larger-than-life automobile executive. As one of the first openly transgender women, Carmichael rose to prominence during the 1970s oil crisis with her promotion of a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled car. That same year he made his documentary feature film debut with the Emmy-nominated film The One and Only Dick Gregory about the legendary comedian and activist. More recently he examined Jesse Owens’ experience at the Berlin Olympics in Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics, and explored the heroics of Black baseball players Curt Flood, Bob Gibson and Bill White, who advanced racial equality after Jackie Robinson retired in After Jackie. The common factor in any production Gaines works on is something unique about the subject’s story. “Characters drive story and plot,” Gaines said. “When it comes to the visual medium of cinema, a film can be the most beautifully shot thing that you see with heavy production design, great cinematography, and so much style, but it doesn’t matter if the audience doesn’t care about the characters.” Refusing to give upGaines has spent the past 15 years in the television and film industry. He believes what separates the best storytellers is the ability to never give up. “Hollywood is made up of brilliant and talented people, but what sets them apart is that they don’t quit,” he said. “There are very talented people who have given us some of the greatest cinema and television of our lifetime, but the difference with them is they didn’t give up and they stuck to it.” That is what Gaines is trying to do. After the debut of Boo-Yah, Gaines’ focus will shift to The Dutchman, his narrative feature film debut. The movie, an adaptation of the 1964 play by Amiri Baraka, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and stars André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Aldis Hodge and Stephen McKinley Henderson. The film is set for release in theaters nationwide on January 2, 2026. Gaines first read the play in college and was struck by its emphasis on how sex and race are intertwined. He realized years ago that he wanted to modify it from a stage play to a full movie, and he spent six years pursuing the rights to do just that. After intense audience testing and a successful run on the US and international festival circuit — racking up multiple awards, including Best Feature at the Buffalo International Film Festival — he’s ready for the world to see his latest story. “A lot of filmmakers consider it sacrilege to get the public’s opinions before releasing a movie, but it’s a real joy for me,” Gaines said. “If they love it, great. If they don’t, you’re going to hear it. Then you go back and do some revisions, try again, and see how it works. I’ve learned to love and very much look forward to that collaborative process.” 3 storytelling tips for you1) Focus on your characters Any story Gaines works on starts with the people — those who break molds, challenge norms, or carry untold legacies. As you’re developing your own story, focus on a compelling character arc first. No amount of visual flair or complex storyline can disguise a poorly developed character that audiences aren’t interested in following. 2) Embrace your unique voice One thing that Gaines loves about Stuart Scott is that the sports anchor brought his whole self to his broadcasting, ushering in a new form of self-expressive journalism in the process. Authenticity isn’t a liability. With the rise of AI, it’s become more of a hook than ever before. Let your voice and lived experience shape how you tell a story. 3) Don’t let criticism bring you down Gaines realized early that the best storytellers in Hollywood are the ones who never give up, even when something goes wrong. That’s partially why he enjoys getting audience feedback throughout his projects. Don’t be afraid to ask for others to look over your work. It’s far better to get feedback along the way as opposed to waiting until the end and discovering you missed the mark. |
