Hudlin Entertainment

PURPLE RAIN AT THE ACADEMY

The Academy presented a screening of "Purple Rain" on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Marie France, Robert Cavallo, Albert Magnoli, Apollonia Kotero, Marcus Miller, Reginald Hudlin, Jerome Benton and Jill Jones.

The Academy presented a screening of “Purple Rain” on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Marie France, Robert Cavallo, Albert Magnoli, Apollonia Kotero, Marcus Miller, Reginald Hudlin, Jerome Benton and Jill Jones.

Guests for the panel discussion preceding the film included actor Jill Jones, director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo, costume designer Marie France, actor/musician Jerome Benton, and actor/singer Apollonia.

It was moderated by Academy Governor Reggie Hudlin and Marcus Miller. Check out video and picture highlights of the event below.

The film was set in Minneapolis, Prince’s hometown, and it centers on a young rock musician, the Kid (Prince), looking to escape his abusive family life. The Kid dedicates himself to relentless rehearsals and performances at the First Avenue nightclub with his band, the Revolution, while trying to start a stable relationship with singer Apollonia.

Purple Rain grossed almost $70 million at the box office, sold over 20 million copies of the soundtrack, won an Oscar for Original Song Score and turned Prince into the sensation he remains today.

Purple Rain

Byron Phillips, Van Jones and Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

©AMPAS

Chrisette Hudlin, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin and Stanley Isaacs prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

Moderators Marcus Miller (left) and Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of "Purple Rain" presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

Moderators Marcus Miller (left) and Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

The Genesis of the Film

Jill and Jerome

Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin (left), actor/musician Jerome Benton (center) and actress/musician Jill Jones prior to a screening of "Purple Rain" presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin (left), actor/musician Jerome Benton (center) and actress/musician Jill Jones prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

The Academy presented a screening of "Purple Rain" on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Marie France, Robert Cavallo, Albert Magnoli, Apollonia Kotero, Marcus Miller, Reginald Hudlin, Jerome Benton and Jill Jones. ©AMPAS

The Academy presented a screening of “Purple Rain” on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Marie France, Robert Cavallo, Albert Magnoli, Apollonia Kotero, Marcus Miller, Reginald Hudlin, Jerome Benton and Jill Jones. ©AMPAS

Writing and Casting

Costume Design

Actress/musician Apollonia Kotero (left), moderator Marcus Miller (center) and Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of "Purple Rain" presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

Actress/musician Apollonia Kotero (left), moderator Marcus Miller (center) and Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

Apollonia

The Academy presented a screening of "Purple Rain" on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Jerome Benton, Jill Jones, Marie France, Reginald Hudlin, Apollonia Kotero, Albert Magnoli, Robert Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo. ©AMPAS

The Academy presented a screening of “Purple Rain” on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Pictured (left to right): Jerome Benton, Jill Jones, Marie France, Reginald Hudlin, Apollonia Kotero, Albert Magnoli, Robert Cavallo and Joe Ruffalo. ©AMPAS

Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of "Purple Rain" presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS

Academy governor/moderator Reginald Hudlin prior to a screening of “Purple Rain” presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. ©AMPAS