Ellis Briggs, a man known among members of the local entertainment fraternity has allegedly defrauded hip-hop artiste Trinidad-born Nicki Minaj and the producers of her music video "Pound the Alarm" which was filmed here last week.It is said that he took more than $100,000 TT to render services towards the production of the music video and delivered nothing.
This created a production and logistical nightmare for the producers and crew, but the quick thinking of film director, Benny Boom, his team and several locals who were involved in the project saved the day.
A report has been made to the police by the producers, London Alley Entertainment of New York, USA, who were told that for now the case is being treated as a breach of contract.
A spokesperson from London Alley Entertainment, which shot and produced the music video, confirmed to the Express yesterday that Briggs took money from them and did not deliver on any of the services agreed on.
The spokesperson also confirmed that a report was made to the police and that they expected to have the funds returned within coming days.
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| Ellis Briggs |
Mr. Briggs himself owns ETV Caribbean Network Trinidad, a video production business, which has allegedly in the past taken money from local event producers and others several times promising to provide various services that he never delivered on or provided shoddy service, often times at the very last minute after having been confronted and threatened.
Minaj arrived in Trinidad last Tuesday and the video shoot took place at several places around Trinidad with the main event coming off at the Grand Stand of the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain and at Jerningham Avenue, Belmont where soca star, Machel Montano, was joined by Minaj on a music truck in what was a simulation of Carnival Tuesday.
A call had gone out for masqueraders to come out in their Carnival costumes to be a part of the 500 people wanted for the parade.
Although the director contacted Tribe mas band to provide masqueraders before coming to Trinidad, people wearing costumes from other bands such as Island People and Dream Team also came out to the Savannah.
Also included were traditional mas characters and other elements of Carnival. Making cameo appearances were Bunji Garlin and his wife Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez
This was the second music video shot here involving Benny Boom, who during the Carnival of 2000, shot scenes for the Jay-Z "Big Pimping" music video which was directed by Hype Williams.
He was then and remains one of the most sought after music video producers in the United States having worked with Minaj, 50 Cent, Nas, T-Pain, R Kelly and Nelly to the Pussycat Dolls, Sean Paul, Trey Songz and New Kids on the Block.
He also directed the acclaimed films Next Day Air and S.W.A.T. Fireflight.
Source: Trinidad Express
Update 14/7/12: Mr. Ellis Briggs has not since paid any money and has denied any wrong doing. Instead he claims that London Alley Productions hasn't paid him a cent and owes him almost US $19,000 (appoximately $120,000 TT). --- Read More here
Update 14/7/12: Mr. Ellis Briggs has not since paid any money and has denied any wrong doing. Instead he claims that London Alley Productions hasn't paid him a cent and owes him almost US $19,000 (appoximately $120,000 TT). --- Read More here
