When you talk about pop music in 2005, you lead with Mariah Carey. And then 50 Cent. And then newcomer Ciara, one of the year’s biggest break-out successes.
The R&B singer’s “Goodies” went double-platinum on the back of singles “1, 2 Step,” “Oh” and “Goodies” – all of which remain unavoidable in pop culture. The tasty morsels led Ciara to awards from the Grammys, BET, Ascap, Vibe and Soul Train, and also served as her entrée into a realm dominated by many a pop singer before her: Hollywood.
Ciara makes her film debut in “All You’ve Got,” a teenage drama that might as well be “Bring it On” set in the world of high school volleyball instead of cheerleading. Produced by MTV Studios and Paramount Home Entertainment, the movie debuted on MTV a week ago and was released on DVD immediately after.
Ciara is magnetic on film – proven in her many music videos, where she shines like a pro – but she’s matter-of-fact in talking about her preparation for this role.
“I didn’t do any acting classes for this film,” Ciara said via telephone last week. “We just got on the set and had fun. … It’s weird because you don’t know what to expect when it’s your first time doing anything, but the biggest surprise was seeing me in my first film and releasing my first album.
“Seeing it all go on TV and DVD, it makes you feel good. It’s motivating and inspiring. And it’s convinced me that the sky is the limit. I’ve always believed that, but now it’s confirmed from this first film experience.”
The Madonnas and the Phantoms are rival teams in this Southern California tale of tolerance, and Becca Watley (Ciara) and her trendy and beautiful friends rule the school and the Madonnas volleyball team before the school building burns down. Of course, it’s Becca’s idea to simply transfer schools and take over the less trendy and beautiful Phantom volleyball program.
“At these high schools, volleyball isn’t a game,” the overdramatic voice narrating the trailer says. “It’s a lifestyle.”
“It’s a cute and fun film,” Ciara said. “It’s kinda weird because it’s me in it. It’s weird for me to talk about things that I do, but if I were to just look at it, I think it’s a very fun and cute and energetic film.”
“All You’ve Got” is your everyday across-the-tracks teenage movie. It’s not Francois Truffaut. It’s not even John Hughes. The writing is basic, and it plays like a straight-to-
DVD release. After one particularly rowdy scene, the coach remarks, “What is this? Gangster volleyball?” Later on he’s the inspirational mentor: “The only way we can win is if we come together and play as a team.”
“The cool thing about it is that there are good messages behind it,” Ciara said, “such as not giving up, trying to figure out what you’re going to do with your life and pursuing that, forgiveness, understanding, patience. It’s crazy because when you see it, especially in comparison to what’s going on in high school and real life, a lot of the things are relatable in the film.
“There are definitely things I can identify with, like when I was younger I wanted to find out what I wanted to do in my life. And my character was confused too.”
Ciara decided at age 14 that she wanted to be a singer. Now, more than 2 million in sales later, she’s working on the follow-up to “Goodies” – with some familiar faces, even.
“One person I’m definitely working with is Jazze (Pha),” she said of the Atlanta hitmaker behind “1, 2 Step” and countless other chart-toppers. “I’m working with a lot of other outstanding producers, as well as a couple of underdogs. I always think about where I started out and think about that one person who said, ‘We’re gonna give Ciara a shot.’
“Now it’s my turn to give somebody a shot.”
Pop music critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
