It was just an ordinary day at the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship for Quincy Macon until he was asked to record an impromptu skit. Little did he know that short video clip would be shared with a casting director and that it would catapult him in gaining a supporting role in his first movie — “Hoop Street,” which premiered at Studio on the Square this spring.
Directed by Princeton James and written by Executive Producer Teresa Dickerson, a UofM alumna (BA ’00), the film is a co-production of Dickerson’s company Isaiah 54 Films, Princeton James Productions and Gravity Productions. Dickerson began writing the script in 2013 which is inspired by her nephew.
“Princeton James saw the improv and asked, ‘Hey, who’s the tall guy and does he know how to play basketball?’ In my mind, I’m thinking the video was recorded for a play. I was thinking why do they even need to play basketball in a play? This is not High School Musical…what play is this,” joked Macon, a senior majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in social media marketing.
But it wasn’t a play, it was a movie. And Macon did play basketball.
He originally had his eyes set on the main character, but fate would have it he landed the role of another character he shared a name with — Quincy.
“A lot of people say this role was made for me because this was meant to happen,” Macon said. “The last time I acted were some smaller skits and the last play I did was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in maybe fifth grade.”
The film began production. Some days where long — 12 hours on set. But Macon was able to continue acting in the film and complete his ImagineU Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator at the Crews Center that same summer.
“I’ve seen Hustle and Flow, but most movies are not filmed in Memphis. They are filmed in cities like ATL, L.A., New Orleans. So, to be a Memphian and be from here, and know that somebody wants to come film and produce a movie here and to get to be a part of something like that, I will forever be grateful for them choosing me.”
“Hoop Street” was among the films screened at the Festival del Cinema di Porretta in Italy alongside “Hustle & Flow,” celebrating it’s 20th anniversary.
Macon not only balances being a student, with acting, and extra curriculars including serving as president for Empowered Men of Color (EMOC) and past president of the UofM Association of Black Journalists, he is also a father.
And at one point, Macon contemplated leaving school.
“My freshman year, I became a father and I thought I would leave the UofM and join the military,” Macon said. “My advisor, Ryan Wade, he told me, ‘I would not instruct you to leave.’ So, I decided to give school another try. I got really involved.”
Macon’s past internships include marketing intern at the UofM Center for Professional Career Development, WYXR Radio, and Seacrest Studios at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
He thanks friends like Benjamin “BJ” Burks (Finance, ’26) and vice president of EMOC who encouraged and motivated him to run for EMOC president. “I think having people like that in your corner, it really lets you see what other people see. Because a lot of times, you can be your biggest critic. You don’t see yourself in the same light that they do. They see me in a way bigger light. And it’s like OK, if these people can see you in that light, you may start seeing yourself in that same light.”
A Memphis native who grew up in the Raleigh community, Macon graduated from East High School and said he relates so much to the plot of the movie which showcases the importance of perseverance.
“Me and my friends relate, we always knew there was something above the horizon,” Macon said. “Us seeing the things that are possible when you just put your mind to things. You’re only one decision away from being great or your life completely changing for the good or the bad.”
Macon will graduate in May and hopes to continue acting, grow his social media business, and pursue a master’s degree.
