Interview with Director James Hunter

Director James Hunter opens up about his creative pursuits and gives us an intimate glimpse into his unique personal journey and outlook on life.

Q: What are some of the qualities that you look for in the actors you work with?

A: The quality I look for the most in actors is dedication to their craft. I like to work with actors that are really serious about what they do and put time in to be the best they can be.  They also have to be reliable.  

Q: What is your favorite part of the filmmaking process?  

A: That’s a tough question, but what I love most of all is taking an idea and watching it grow into reality.  I love taking an idea and seeing it turn into the final product.  

Q: What art inspires you creatively?  

A: I am a big fan of Martin Scorsese and Antoine Fuqua.  I like their styles and how they film, but I also like how in most of their films, there is someone having a moral dilemma, facing right versus wrong and the choice they make determines the outcome of their lives.  At the end of the day, my outlook on filmmaking is parallel with my outlook on life.  I have had to make choices in my life that have had catastrophic outcomes.  I like to see a protagonist put in a situation and see the consequences of their choice and how it affects their life.

Q: You’re best known in the film community as a director, but some people may not know that you actually started out in music and have recently started rapping again.   How would you describe your sound and where do you see yourself going in the industry? 

A: A lot of people compare me to Jay-Z and this actually hindered my progress back in 2003-2004. I was on the cusp of making it before I got injured and I got a lot of grief because I sounded like Jay-Z.  I had a meeting with one of the engineers at Bad Boy Records and he told me after he listened to my mix tape he thought it was Jay-Z.  I told him “I can’t help the way my voice sounds.”  When I said that he seemed surprised and he said he thought I was trying to sound like Jay…I wasn’t.  So there’s nothing I can do about that.  I don’t want to be a rapper; I’m past that phase in my life.   I just love words and I like to dabble and play with them.  My goal with my music now, is to every now and again, throw a song of mine into my film projects.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not busy directing and creating music?

A: I’m very political.  I love politics and sometimes I wish I had gone to journalism school. I study politics a lot in my free time.  Another thing I do that people think is crazy-I really love numbers. I play with numbers in my head; like 1251 multiplied by 159 and see how fast I can figure out the answer.  This actually translates over to the industry because when numbers are being thrown around in meetings, I’m able to come up with the answers really fast.

Q: What is another thing that people don’t know about you?

A: I’m very sensitive.  I’m a very principled person.  I live and die by my principles.  When I deal with people, I expect them to be the same way.  I need to stop expecting people to be the same way I am because it usually ends in disappointment.  I will literally turn down a million-dollar project if it went against my principles.  The most important thing to me is that I give people my word and stand by it.  Not everyone is like that, so I’m learning that I have to evaluate people for who they are and not put my expectations on them.  Another thing people don’t know is that I love producing films as much as directing.  Also, I’m working on bettering myself as an editor.

Q: Anyone who knows you or who is friends with you on Facebook gets to hear and see your messages that are so positive and uplifting.  What inspires you to share that positivity with others?  

A: It’s funny because basically, my upbringing was surrounded by a lot of negativity.  I had a very rough upbringing and I feel like it’s my duty to turn all of that around.  There have been times in my life where I’ve gone headfirst into negativity but because of my beliefs, I always get pulled back out.  I know it’s not where I need to be.  Now that I have a better perspective on life, one of my motivations for being successful is to have a platform to reach millions to share a positive message.

Q: How have the injuries you sustained in the shooting leading you to be paralyzed affected how you live your life and your career?  How has this shaped your mission in life?  

A: When I first got hurt I was in the hospital for 2 ½ years.  This is obviously not an exact number, but I would say somewhere around 85 percent of the other people around me who were paralyzed were really depressed.  When I first got injured, I was positive on the outside, but inside I was wondering if this was punishment or torture or if this was meant to slow me down.  I came to the conclusion it was meant to slow me down.  I knew deep down that the negativity was not me and I had to turn this thing around.  When I changed my mind set, people starting complimenting me.   Although I was the patient, doctors would come to talk to me about their problems.  I started thinking, “this is where you need to be.  This is where you are most useful.”  Had I not been paralyzed, I would have been successful in music and wouldn’t have grown the way I have.   The injuries put me in a different zone.  One of the bullets went through me and hit my cousin.  If I wasn’t there to absorb those shots, he would have been the recipient of that and he wouldn’t be here today.  This pretty much sums it up:  While I was getting my bachelor’s degree at Full Sail, I got some life-threatening bed sores, caught bone infections and had to take 3 leaves of absence.  When I was in the hospital, a beautiful nurse came downstairs and said she knew me.  I was so caught up in her beauty, but then she explained she was my sign-out nurse a year before and she remembered how I got shot and how I was going to film school.  She was really, really pretty so I was more wrapped up in that, but after she was done explaining how she remembered me, I asked her how she remembered all of that from a 10-minute conversation from a year ago.  She said ever since that day we talked she uses me as her inspiration: “If James can go to school and do everything he does, I can go through anything in life without complaining.”  That really touched me.  Now, everyday people tell me I’m an inspiration.  My focus has shifted towards helping other people.  Friends of mine who I saw were going down the wrong path: I brought them in to be in the pilot for my new project Stripped ATL and now they want to get into acting.  Now I can help them make a change and I feel like everything is worth it.  When I first got shot, I would just say I got into an accident.  I didn’t want people to assume I was a bad guy.  I don’t like lying.   It bothered me a lot.  So I thought, I’m just going to tell people the truth and it’s up to them what they think about it.  I was having a conversation the other day about how rich people can be so uncaring.  If I accumulate $50 million, I wouldn’t get to see $1 million.  My goal wouldn’t be about me; it would be making sure my loved ones are good.  That’s the same way I look at my career; it’s not about me, it’s about spreading my message and taking care of people.  Life was about me for way too long; it has to be about more than us.  It can’t be about us anymore.

Q: What upcoming projects should we be on the lookout for?

A: Look out for the VH1 pilot for Stripped ATL.   It is a very compelling reality drama, which looks like a movie, shot like reality show.  It’s different than anything else out there.  It keeps you captivated all the way through and I’ve received very positive feedback from everyone who has seen the pilot.  The next step is presenting it to the execs at VH1.    Also, be on the lookout for updates on the series I’m So Fly; we are moving forward with that as well.

Interview with Actor/Producer Chris Greene

CHRIS GREENE INTERVIEW

By 

Lauren Honeycutt

1. What event in your life made you want to be an actor?

I was in college, 19 or 20 years old, a buddy of mine at the time, was going to
North Carolina school of the arts. He called me up saying he needed extras
for a club scene, no pay, but if you’re over 21 they will buy you drinks and
lots of food on set. I thought actors were vain people, like models. Once I got
on set, the professionalism of the students, seeing how a movie was actually
made, I had a lot of respect for the hours put in for a one-minute scene. The
preparation, the difficulties involved, the pressures involved on actors, I
could see myself entertaining folks. You get to travel; you get paid to have
fun.

2. What’s your background? Did this affect your acting abilities or
decisions?

I’m from New York, Mount Vernon. Dick Clark and Denzel Washington are
from there. At the time I grew up your, options were either to become a star
basketball player or “hustling”. There were not a lot of opportunities to own
your own business, as a black man. My mom grew tired of New York; she
wanted to get me involved in after school programs. I took up band. That
essentially got me into the mode of doing a lot of traveling. You get to go
around and see different things with the concert band in high school. I played
the drums and still do to this day. I got a band scholarship to attend college.
My parents made a big influence on me in regards to acting, by showing me
the values to acting. I don’t think a lot of actors have that, they weren’t taught
it. They were born into the industry. Others work their way in, like me. They
have to put in the work to prove themselves, the ones who worked hard had
the longevity. They all come from the same backgrounds. Denzel is an iconic
actor globally. He is from my area. Like him, anything I have ever had to do I
have had to work for. Concept to finish, I want to make sure its done properly
and respectfully.

3. Who was your biggest influencer? Who encouraged you to pursue your
goals?

Personally, my father, he was always one for living in the moment. He would
say, “whatever you want to do just make sure you flourish and make sure
your happy.” He was very supportive of me acting, as long as I was happy
doing it. He still is to this day a big motivation for me. Every time I step on set
I think of him.

4. Who’s your favorite actor?

On and off screen Will Smith is my favorite actor. A lot of people don’t realize
how intelligent Will is. He was invited to go to MIT; he is a well versed
educated man. I relate to him because his upbringing was very similar to
mine. He’s very motivational; when you see him in interviews he’s cordial
to everybody. That’s what keeps him afloat, his fan base. You could just
put “Will Smith”, just his name, on a black poster and people would buy
tickets to see it. He knows what people want, he knows how to be apart of
a film that tells a story, he knows how to be in front of a screen so people
miss you. He was bankrupt at 21, he didn’t let anyone step in his way, he kept
going, look at where he is today. I respect that. That is something I would
like to have in my career. It’s something to strive for. Taking pieces of his
knowledge, put your mind to it and it will happen, regardless of what you
want to do. You have to be determined and you have to be focused. You’re
going to fail, that’s a fact, but it’s the ability to learn from those failures that
makes it a success.

5. What inspires you as an artist? How has this affected your acting
decisions?

My inspiration comes from being recognized for my talent. Inspiration to me
is having someone watching my film, a product I put out there, leaving the
theatre saying this is money well spent. Or having huge problems at home
but being in that theatre, they can completely forget about it. My daughter is
a huge inspiration to me, being a parent changes your whole world. You look
at things more long term. She reminds me when I see her that it is the simple
things that make you happy. Providing a stable future for my daughter. That’s
inspiration too me.

6. As an actor, what obstacles have you had to overcome?

The word “no”, I have been acting and involved in the industry for ten years
now. No is the hardest thing to hear, you put your heart and soul into an
audition and to hear you got beat out, having to watch the person who beat
you in the role you wanted, and hearing the reasons you were told no, is
definitely something to overcome. As a black actor it is harder, this is not
a race thing, Hollywood doesn’t care about white or black, they care about
generating money. It’s all about your charisma and what you bring in.

7. What has been your favorite role so far?

It comes down to two roles. One is Flip Master Phil. I had a 5 pixel camera,
taking pictures of two women, something a “wanna-be-pimp” would do.
Flip Master Phil brought out a different voice, a slick movement that was
completely different from anything I have ever done. My character Eric is my
second favorite. The director wanted to make a film based on his experiences

on set. My character is a PA on set. The guy in one position thinking he could
do everything better than everybody else. This character has never failed to
be true to every film set I have ever done. I took from those experiences and
used it in this role.

8. What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when
you were first starting out as an actor?

The business aspect is a big downfall for a lot of actors. You have to know the
creative side but it is imperative to know the business side. Knowing the business
aspect can make or break you.

9. Do you think you really understood what you were in for when you
decided you wanted to become an actor?

Yes and no. Yes I did from the aspect your life becomes an open book.
Because everyone recognizes you, it’s hard to do the everyday stuff. The
business aspect is something I was not in for. The financial toll it takes on
actors. The gas money, the food money, the hotel pay, it all adds up. As of
2010 the percentage of you becoming an A list actor, without family in the
industry, the statistics were less than hitting the lottery. That’s staggering.
That is something I wasn’t prepared for.

10. What do you believe the future of Orlando to be in film/theatre?

There is a great future in theatre. Especially with having Disney here. Where
film is concerned, if your just starting out you need to be in Los Angeles. Film
I think, in Orlando has a long way to go, the state of Florida really. There
are so many factors. A lot of filmmakers need to get off their soapbox. A
lot of people go around and spread a bad name for Orlando. Orlando is an
optimal shooting location but because of the bad rap and the filmmakers
that leave Florida and go elsewhere, spread the bad name. I think Orlando
will do well with TV but film wise Orlando has a lot of maturing to do, when
it comes to the film aspect.. I hope that it does change. It’s not fair to the
great filmmakers here. The mentality of the filmmakers have to change, they
need to realize money isn’t everything. Actors need to realize money isn’t
everything.

Interview with Roy Williams

Roy Williams INTERVIEW

  By Lauren Honeycutt

1.     What event in your life made you want to be an actor?

Growing up I have always been a huge fan of film, I was at college, not wanting to major in my currant major. I had to choose whether to major in something I didn’t like or whether to major in my dream and what makes me happy. I majored in film at Full Sail, behind the camera. I learned a lot about the acting, from full sail and this ultimately made the decision for me.

2.     What’s your background? Did this affect your acting abilities or decisions?

I’m an only child; this helped me growing up as an actor because I use my imagination. I didn’t have a ton of friends; I was playing with blocks, turtles, GI Joe men, utilizing my imagination. The imagination comes into play a lot in acting and it prepared me for where I am today.

3.     Who was your biggest influencer? Who encouraged you to pursue your goals?

My mom and dad were my biggest influencers, but mostly my mom. I always see her work hard and pursue her goal. She’s a chef; she makes a good headway, seeing her pursue her dreams makes me aspire to do the same.

4.     Who’s your favorite actor?

Denzel Washington. The passion and focus he brings to every role, nothing like I have ever seen. He puts a hundred and ten percent into what he does.

5.     What inspires you as an artist? How has this affected your acting decisions?

I can be inspired by my peers in acting class, some hard working gentlemen on the side of the road trying to make a buck, really any hardworking individual, inspires me to do what I want to do.

6.     As an actor, what obstacles have you had to overcome?

I wouldn’t say I had to overcome obstacles, as an actor there is always risks to take. I haven’t had to overcome obstacles. Pursuing acting is an obstacle in itself, it is a risk you had to take.

7.     What has been your favorite role so far?

I don’t have a favorite role; the next role is my favorite role.

8.     What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor?

Pretty much as an actor being your self is enough. I always wanted to be someone else, like Denzel, but I now realize I don’t have to be him because I am unique in myself. I wish I knew that.

9.     Do you think you really understood what you were in for when you decided you wanted to become an actor?

No. I didn’t realize how much hard work it took. I really had to work at it. I thought I could just jump in front of the camera, its important to study and develop your craft. It’s important to go to class and continue to learn.

10. What do you believe the future of Orlando to be in film/theatre?

It’s hard to say. We have a lot of great talent in the central Florida area. The talent is definitely here. I know there is only going to be growth from here. I have worked with numerous people, as long as we have that solid base here. In the next few years it could be great.