My Acting Debut in Dirty Laundry

Originally written Tuesday, May 23, 2006

My Acting Debut in the Upcoming New Film "Dirty Laundry" Current

mood: accomplished

So, I'm online talking with my friend James Earl Hardy (author of the B-Boy Blues series) and he gives me kudos for my one-line movie debut in "Dirty Laundry" starring Rockmond Dunbar, Jennifer Lewis, Loretta Devine and more - due out in December 2006. James had an opportunity to see a private pre-release screening of it in New York with a small select group.

I didn't mention to anyone that I was chosen by writer/director and friend Maurice Jamal for a one-line part while spending time on the set a few weeks ago in fear that my one line would be cut out the final edit of the film. And I guess at this point, it still could be cut but now that at least a few peeps have seen it, I'll at least mention it.

I spent hours and hours channeling my motivation for "Pie Eater #2", a character I named Julius (the first name to come to mind due to a friend named Julius being in the crowd). While winking at my co-star Jennifer Lewis and remaining focused (Rockmond and I are method actors, you see) during my scene with Rockmond, I put my thespian teachings to practice and uttered the word "Julius" while sitting in front of four apple pies and there, right there in my glorious, deliciously edible moment - a movie star was born. *wink*

August 11th, 2008

Over the weekend, the movie "Dirty Laundry" aired on a cable network. Again, my phone started blowing up with text messages and phone calls that my one line movie debut was seen by so many people. It's amazing that of all the things I've done in the music and other industries, more people stop me and give me feedback for my appearance in Dirty Laundry. It's crazy!!! I'm ready to move to Hollywood and pursue a career in acting now.

As I tell everyone, although appearing in the movie and seeing it on the Big Screen was amazing, it paled compared to the entire cast being invited over to E. Lynn Harris' home (lucky me included) and eating dinner and spending hours with E. Lynn, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Lewis, Rockmond Dunbar, Terri J. Vaughn, Maurice Jamal & more. I was speechless the entire evening but played it cool like this was my life on a regular. UH - NO!!! Pinch me but Loretta Devine is telling me backstage stories of the original Dreamgirls stage play as I eat my vegetables. This is crazy and only in my world does this land in my lap.

There are too many stories to tell from massaging Jennifer Lewis' feet to E. Lynn remembering our earlier meetings and on and on and on. What an evening! It was great to catch up a bit with Maurice Jamal as well. I flashed back to being on set of the movie, watching Maurice Jamal at work directing the film, remembering the days of living in Oakland and seeing him do poetry over ten years ago in some small Oakland spot. Both of us had huge dreams - knowing now that he has seriously hustled to this point of seeing his dreams unfold. That's so beautiful to watch for a fellow artist. It's an untouchable feeling when an artist has opportunity to live their dreams, when their art and work receives fever and recognition.