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Beyond the Lights - Marked as one of the blockbuster films of the fall, Beyond the Lights, which is in theaters November 15, tackles the pitfalls of fame with an all-star cast: Danny Glover, Nate Parker, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Gearing up for the movie's release, here are 10 things you need to know about the Gina Prince-Bythewood-directed flick.  The film focuses on a fictional pop star's journey and the director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, was inspired to create the story after attending an Alicia Keys concert in 2007. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Relativity Media)

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Mother Knows Best - Bythewood's very own mother inspired the character of Macy, Noni's mom-ager, portrayed by the ferocious Minnie Driver. Like Macy, Bythewood's mother was also Caucasian.(Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

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A Package Deal - Gina Prince-Bythewood was so impressed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw's ability to play Noni that she refused to create the movie without her. She went to several studios, pitching the movie to to different studios with footage of Gugu in character.  With the backing of BET Networks, Relativity Media picked up Beyond the Lights.  (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Relativity Media)

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Pop Star Elite - Gugu Mbatha-Raw drew inspiration for playing Noni from both old and new school music divas like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Nina Simone.  You will be shocked at Gugu's powerful transformation!(Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

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Fiction Meets Reality - Real-life musicians like Chaka Khan and Big Sean make cameos in the film to help give it a more authentic touch. Other celebrities that make cameos include BET CEO Debra Lee, Gayle King, Don Lemon and Rocsi Diaz.(Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

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We Got You - Scenes for the film were shot on location during the 2013 BET Awards. How's that for some real-life action?  The scene includes a performance at the BET Awards with Gugu rocking the stage as the ultimate pop star.  (Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

Photo By Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions

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Top Notch Choreography - To get the moves down like today's top pop divas, Gina Prince-Bythewood enlisted choreographer to the stars Laurieann Gibson (Lady GaGa, Nicki Minaj) to teach Gugu the epic dance numbers.  (Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

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A Dream Come True - The-Dream, who wrote some of music's biggest hits, wrote all of the original songs for Beyond the Lights.  The-Dream's polished production adds an extra layer of authenticity to an already amazing flick.  (Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner) 

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Knowing Your Stuff - MGK, who plays Kid Culprit in the film, has worked with several A-list artists including Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, DMX and Juicy J in his actual career.  His role proves the rapper might have a future in Hollywood.(Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)

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Old Collaborators - This is not the first time that Gina Prince-Bythewood and Nate Parker have worked together. Nate had a starring role in The Secret Life of Bees alongside Prince-Bythewood's initial inspiration, Alicia Keys.  Parker and Prince-Bythewood are a powerful duo!(Photo: 2013 Blackbird Productions, Suzanne Tenner)