Exit Strategy (film)

Exit Strategy is a 2012 American independent romantic comedy film directed by Michael Whitton and starring Jameel Saleem, Kimelia Weathers, Quincy "QDeezy" Harris, with cameo appearances by L.A. radio host Big Boy and stand-up comedian Kevin Hart. Saleem plays a man whose main goal is to not get the girl, but to lose her—thus marketed as a self-described "un-romantic comedy." The film originated as a seven-part web series that had been running since 2007.[1]

Exit Strategy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Whitton
Produced by	Kellie Maltagliati Quincy "QDeezy" Harris
Screenplay by	Jameel Saleem
Based on	Characters by Jameel Saleem Kimelia Weathers Rick Fontaine Mustafa Harris Reign Morton
Starring	Jameel Saleem Kimelia Weathers Quincy "QDeezy" Harris Big Boy Kevin Hart
Music by	Simon A. Stevens
Cinematography	Joseph Crist
Edited by	Michael Whitton
Production company	Ask Around Productions Ida's Son Productions
Distributed by	Ask Around Entertainment
Release date	February 10, 2012
Running time	76 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

James (Jameel Saleem), likeable but irresponsible, moves in with his take-charge girlfriend of three months Kim (Kimelia Weathers), and quickly discovers she's everything he never wanted in a woman. With advice from his childhood best friends and second-hand goods store co-workers Carville (Quincy "QDeezy" Harris) and Leona (Noelle Balfour), he tries to make the relationship work instead of being homeless; but may have to be resigned to his new life and living situation: chores and no football on Sundays, snoring instead of sleep, and no TV in the bedroom—ever! But after a disastrous dinner with Kim's father, and on the advice of high-schooler Scoop, strangers Big Boy and customer Mannequin Head Man (Kevin Hart), James tries to get her to break up with him but still let him sleep on the couch. It doesn't work, and James has to tell Kim the painful truth, making her realize he wasn't what she wanted after all.

Cast

(in order of appearance)

• Jameel Saleem as James, co-owner of a second-hand goods store (Stuff Shop).
• Quincy "Qdeezy" Harris as Carville, James' childhood best friend and Stuff Shop co-owner.
• Noelle Balfour as Leona, James' childhood best friend and co-worker.
• Kimelia Weathers as Kim, James' girlfriend.
• Big Boy as himself, radio host of Big Boy's Neighborhood.
• Liz Hernandez as herself, radio co-host of Big Boy's Neighborhood.
• Fuzzy Fantabulous as himself, radio co-host of Big Boy's Neighborhood.
• Rick Amieva as Radio Caller.
• Jenna Willis as Tanny, Kim's friend.
• Danette Wilson as Shauna, Kim's friend.
• Jennah Hughes-Taylor as Young Woman, Young Man's fiance.
• Juhahn Jones as Young Man, Young Woman's husband-to-be.
• Jonny Whitton as Shopper.
• Kevin Hart as Mannequin Head Man, a Stuff Shop customer.
• Nick Sinise as Scoop, a high-schooler and Stuff Shop regular.
• Marina Steele as Sandy, a woman wanting to pawn her wedding ring.
• Sid Burston as Mr. "Sweet", Kim's father.
• Matt Kawczynski as Rodney, Tanny's boyfriend.
• Carlos Javier Castillo as Jay, Shauna's boyfriend.
• Misty Alli as Yinny, Scoop's friend.
• Chad Younglove as Jeff, Leona's boyfriend.

Production

Exit Strategy was independently made for under $100,000[2] by Ask Around Productions in association with Big Boy's Ida's Son Productions. The film was shot on the 5D camera in 14 days;[2] and in order to finish the film, the first-time director took on a lot of the laptop-based post-production work.[2][3]

Kellie Maltagliati, one of the film's producers, credits the ability to make this film on a shoestring budget, and release it, on both cast and crew dedication and the recent technological advancements of digital filming, post-production, exhibition, and marketing.[3]

Soundtrack

Exit Strategy Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Various Artists
Released	January 6, 2012
Genre	Film Soundtrack
Label	Ocean View Entertainment

The official motion picture soundtrack, Music Featured In And Inspired By Exit Strategy, was released on February 6, 2012 by Ocean View Entertainment.

Track listing

No.	Title	Recording artist(s)	Length
1.	"So Fine"	Highway Jackson	3:53
2.	"Rollin'"	Tara Priya	2:51
3.	"Ever After"	Emily King	3:40
4.	"Remote Control"	Cinematic Noise Orchestra	1:00
5.	"The Fool"	Solar Taxi	3:51
6.	"I'll Be the DJ"	Beware Fashionable Women	4:16
7.	"Why Don't You Leave"	Focus! Focus!	2:35
8.	"Com'n Ova"	Julius Holliday	3:51
9.	"OMG WTF"	Kanobby	3:00
10.	"Wounded"	Tara Priya	3:15
11.	"Honeysuckle"	Left Me Bashful	3:01
12.	"Lucky"	Lettie	2:49
13.	"Convenient Fictions"	Beta.Beta	3:13
14.	"Can You Hear Me"	Kendré	5:24
15.	"Exit Strategy Theme"	Simon A. Stevens	1:07

Release and Reception

Exit Strategy received a limited U.S. release on February 10, 2012 in AMC Theatres, then expanded nationwide in Rave Cinemas and Bow-Tie Cinemas on March 9, 2012.[2][4]

To promote the theatrical opening of the film in Philadelphia, Ask Around Entertainment partnered with Radio One urban format station WPHI-FM to produce significant on-air content focused on the movie's relationship and break-up themes.[2]

The film was made available June 5, 2012 on DVD, VOD, and digital download.

For Black History Month 2014, Google Play listed Exit Strategy on their "Inspiring Stories" list that includes 12 Years A Slave and Lee Daniels' The Butler.[5]

See also

• Exit strategy
• independent film
• No budget film

References

1. EurPublisher (19 March 2012). "DJ Big Boy Talks 'Exit Strategy' the New 'Unromantic Comedy'". EURweb.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
2. Kimberley Richards (13 February 2012). "'Exit Strategy' Filmmakers Have Low Budget, Big Dreams". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
3. Bobbi Booker (9 February 2012). "Low-Budget Production Works Wonders For 'Exit Strategy'". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
4. Brian Brooks (15 February 2012). "Urban Comedy 'Exit Strategy' Set For US Release With The Film Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
5. "Black History Month: Inspiring Stories". Google Play. Retrieved February 19, 2014.

External links

• Exit Strategy at IMDb
• Exit Strategy at Rotten Tomatoes