GANG TAPES

'GANG TAPES' director Adam Ripp’s first exposure to urban culture came when the Los Angeles Unified School District began busing kids from South Central Los Angeles into his elementary school in the Hollywood Hills. This early introduction to urban culture was the initial catalyst that led to his awareness of life in the hood and ultimately to writing, producing and directing ‘GANG TAPES,’ a coming of rage story about a young boy chronicling his descent into gang life with a stolen video camera. To achieve the realism that Adam envisioned for the film, he spent several months in Watts and South Central doing research and cast gang members and ex-gang members in all of the lead, supporting and extra roles. ‘GANG TAPES’ was financed and distributed by Lions Gate Films. The New York Times praised 'GANG TAPES' as “Engrossing” and Variety hailed the film as “Relentless and Potent with Excellent Performances,” while Ain’t It Cool News called it “A wonderfully conceived and brilliantly realized urban tale.” Adam won the Best Director award for ‘GANG TAPES’ at the DVD Premiere Awards. The San Francisco Black Film Festival awarded Adam with the prestigious Melvin Van Peebles award. ‘GANG TAPES’ won Best Ensemble Cast at the New York Underground Film Festival.