Patrice Rushen

Hollywood Shuffle -- This film takes a satirical look at the ambivalent relationship between Hollywood power brokers and African-American performers. The filmmaker also stars as Bobby Taylor, a struggling actor looking for his big break in the entertainment industry.

This film takes a satirical look at the ambivalent relationship between Hollywood power brokers and African-American performers. The filmmaker also stars as Bobby Taylor, a struggling actor looking for his big break in the entertainment industry. While working a day job flipping burgers, Bobby heads out to insulting casting calls where white casting agents pass judgement on whether he seems "black enough." When Bobby actually does earn a big role, he is forced to choose between accepting work that opens doors, but ultimately demeans him and returning to obscurity with his principles intact.

Robert Townsend's comedic send-up of the trials and tribulations of black actors attempting to break into Hollywood - just how do you make a living and not play the stereotyped roles?

An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood.