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Straight Crankin: A Go Go Documentary

Straight Crankin: A Go Go Documentary chronicles the birth, evolution and impact of the Go Go musical genre. The film charts the development and growth of Go Go, the bands that put Go Go on the map, their styles, the history of the musical art form and its global impact over the past 40 years. The culturally influential musical genre originated in the Washington, DC area during the mid-60s to late-70s, and is a distinctive regional music style that combines funk with elements of R&B, blues, soul, and salsa. From Chuck Brown to the bounce beat, the film features interviews with pioneers of the genre, Go Go Bands, promoters, producers, managers, and the entertainment industry. The film features members of Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited, Backyard Band, Junk Yard Band, Trouble Funk, Be'la Dona, TCB, historical interviews and performances of Chuck Brown and more.

  • Eugene Thorpe
    Director
  • Eugene Thorpe
    Producer
  • Matthew Granato
    Producer
  • Troy Pinckney
    Producer
  • Trouble Funk (Band)
    Key Cast
  • Rare Essence (Band)
    Key Cast
  • Experience Unlimited (Band)
    Key Cast
  • Junk Yard Band
    Key Cast
  • Eugene Thorpe
    Writer
  • Angie M. Gates
    Executive Producer
  • Bruce Walker
    Supervisory Producer
  • Karen Tolson
    Supervisory Producer
  • Brenda Mallory
    Supervisory Producer
  • John Avery
    Camera Operators
  • Silas Oluyole
    Camera Operators
  • Eugene Petty
    Camera Operators
  • Shaun Parker
    Camera Operators
  • Oscar J. Viags
    Camera Operators
  • Nicholas Dorsey
    Camera Operators
  • Salah Djimbanaou
    Camera Operators
  • Matt Granato
    Camera Operators
  • Eugene Thorpe
    Camera Operators
  • Eugene Thorpe
    Editors
  • Troy Pinckney
    Editors
  • Matt Granato
    Editors
  • Mike Lyons
    Editors
  • Eugene Petty
    Audio
  • Robert Ellis
    Audio
  • Eugene Thorpe
    Audio
  • Salah Djimbanaou
    Graphics
  • John Avery
    Set Designer
  • Nicholas Dorsey
    Studio Director
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 38 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 4, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    55,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HDV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.78
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Eugene Thorpe

Eugene Thorpe is a TV producer and content provider for the Office of Cable Television, Film Music and Entertainment. He began his production career in the in the recording studios of Washington DC and New York City, producing rap songs for labels including Lethal, Priority, and Polygram Records. He stepped out on stage in the late 90's with his own spoken word project, "Version 23."

Eugene transitioned from music production to television production in the early 2000s, creating content for District Schools Television and the District Knowledge Network. Eugene created a number of shows including the DKN Sport Minute; What Did You Learn Today; Student Showcase; Check 1,2, an interstitial series on the history of Hip Hop, and Display, a 30 minute music video show highlighting DC area artists and performers.

Eugene is a graduate of Hampton University and lives in Washington D.C. with his wife and three daughters. Any spare time is taken up by his obsession with making beats.

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