November 11th, 2023, saw the return of the ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Disrupter Summit in Atlanta, GA, bringing a star-studded line-up in celebration of all aspects of the Black experience. This year the focus was on Zillenials and those in their ‘Era of Disruption’ who are working to break the mold.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Chelsea Spencer Smith, Aaliyah Haqq and guests speak onstage at the Crack The Career Code Receipts panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The summit, kicked off by Co-Founder Rechelle Dennis, included panel discussions such as one with sister-duo Jordyn and Jodie Woods, at which they outlined what it means to work together while taking their business to new heights. There was also a live taping with the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls‘ with BIA, Muni Long and Pretty Vee, as well as a session on all things fashion and creativity with designers Aleali May and Torianna Breaux.
The event hosted incredible appearances from internet sensation Aliyah’s Interlude, comedian Yung BBQ, and celebrity music engineer Brandra Ringo. Yet, that only scratches the service. The Summit attracted a number of celebrities and influencers including: TM Twins Taneeyah & Meniyah, Digital Creators & Influencers; Karma Bridges, Executive Producer of Netflix’s Karma’s World; and Kayla Rivera, Latinx & Entertainment Blogger, Content Creator
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Caroline Wanga and Rechelle Dennis speak onstage at the Disrupt or Be Disrupted panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Throughout the event, guests were able to experience interactive elements including speed mentorship sessions, a tooth gem station, a photo activation presented by Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar, airbrush tattoos and so much more. There were also opportunities to support and shop at Black-Owned businesses at the Soko Marketplace.
Then, to close out an already an unbelievable day, Mariah The Scientist took to the stage and performed top hits including, “Spread Thin.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Rachel Jackson speaks onstage the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) BIA, Caroline Wanga and Pretty Vee attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Danielle Wright speaks onstage at the Cut the Dupe panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) BIA, Pretty Vee and Muni Long speak onstage at the Live Tapping w/ Season 5 Cast of If Not For My Girls panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Mariah The Scientist attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Aliyah’s Interlude performs onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Mariah The Scientist performs onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Phreshy attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Kenyatta Victoria speaks onstage at the On Strike Brought To You By McDonald’s panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Kamarie Brown speaks onstage at the On Strike Brought To You By McDonald’s panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Rechelle Dennis speaks onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Haley Jones, Danielle Wright and Aliyah’s Interlude attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Baroline attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Ebonie Ward attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Kenyatta Victoria and Denise Stephianie Hewitt attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Aaliyah Haqq and Alphonso David speak onstage at the Crack the Career Code panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Randi Adkins Warren and Pauline Malcolm-Thorton attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Jordyn Woods and Jodie Woods attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Nani Edwards and Caroline Wanga attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Nandi Howard attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Meniyah Biscette and Taneeyah Biscette attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Nandi Howard, Aleali May, Torianna Breaux and Nani Edwards speak onstage at the Backstage Pass panel during the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Marley Dias attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: J. Simmone attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Aleali May attends the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Chelsea Spencer Smith and Aaliyah Haqq attend the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Summit on November 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
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Earlier this month, the NRW attended the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) in Los Angeles. The LAAPFF is an annual event that brings together the best of Asian Pacific American Films and filmmakers from around the world. Mikhail Red, filmmaker and director, joined the panel at the LAAPFF to attend the screening of his latest movie, Arisaka. The movie was part of the Official Selection Narrative Features section at the LAAPFF. Narr Mikhail may be one of the youngest directors in the vicinity but his masterful sense of storytelling holds knowledge and poignancy that goes beyond age. Known for traversing a variety of genres, Mikhail’s list of projects include an experimental film Rekorder, a coming of age movie Birdshot that won an award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, and a zombie thriller Block Z. As a young filmmaker, he insists he’s still trying to find himself but with the work that he has done so far, it is apparent that he doesn’t need to worry about the path that he is blazing.
Arisaka follows the heart-stopping journey of policewoman Mariano (Maja Salvador), who seeks vengeance on her captors. But when she escapes them, she has to retrace the Bataan Death March’s trail. Struggling to survive in the jungle, Mariana finds help when she’s taken in by a family from the local Aeta tribe.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Natasha Francisco: First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I’m a fan of your work and admire your wide range of genres. Which is why I am all the more excited to watch Arisaka later tonight. I’m sure you get this question all the time but where did you find inspiration for a movie like Arisaka?
Mikhail Red: Just like all of my films, inspiration comes from true events. I was inspired by an article about the Aeta community in Bataan who would find old relics from World War II. So they would find old [and] undetonated bombs or weapons and repurpose them and still use them for hunting. It started with that, that idea. I decided to make a survival thriller in a way. A parallel with the Bataan Death March set in present day and show the cycle of violence in that area. This time around the oppressors have changed, you know, in more local antagonists. So it begs the question: are we really free? It’s the type of story that was also easy to do during the pandemic because we shot this in the middle of 2020. Very confined thriller in a remote location.
I was also hearing how guys had film in the midst of typhoons. What was that like?
We were hit by one of the biggest typhoons in the century. Because you were locked in, because it was in the middle of COVID so you were locked in, you couldn’t go back to Manila. So we had to finish because everything was booked and everyone was in a bubble. So we had to use the typhoon. A lot of the scenes in the movie were real weather, real rain. But at the same time, sometimes the rain would stop so we had to match everything. It was a tough challenge to fix continuity because the whole story happens in like, two to three days. But the weather kept changing over the seventeen days that we shot [the film]. So how do you make something where you, like, shoot one moment and then another moment you shoot five days later? But in the story, the moment happens in seconds. So we had to do some CGI. In a way, it’s like we were living the movie because we were surviving and fighting against the terrain, just like Maja’s character.
I found it powerful that you decided to include the Bataan Death March because that is something that we (Americans) learn or are familiar about. So the fact that you used it to parallel Mariano’s story was a history lesson that I urged myself to dig deeper into. Shifting gears here a little. As a filmmaker, is there a movie that changed your life?
My favorite No Country for Old Men. You can kind of feel it in my earlier work and short films. That almost nihilistic mood, tone, and atmosphere. You even see it in Birdshot. I’m into these Western [films] where everything is always settled through violence and it always builds to a climax. You see that in all of my films. There’s always a big act three, like a big finale. I like the idea of nomadic characters and isolated environments. There’s also always morally ambiguous characters because it’s throwing the question at the audience of, “What would you do in this situation?” It’s always people trying to survive a society but they had no choice to live in but navigate and live through.
I remember reading an article where you shared your frustration as an audience member. But it was that same frustration that prompted you to direct the zombie movie Block Z. Can I ask if there was a particular film that frustrated you the most but also inspired you?
Every film is a tough film. If you notice my filmography, I always make sure I’m the first time filmmaker in a new genre. I like the challenge of exploring new genres. I don’t like to settle in one thing or a niche. A lot of filmmakers do that and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for me, I like the excitement of something new. So it’s always a learning process, even in the Philippines. Block Z, for example, you don’t have extras who have been in other zombie productions. Like in the U.S., you can probably get the same casting manager who already know other people who did other zombie roles. Here, we had to learn everything from scratch and teach everyone by doing zombie workshops. And trying to do a genre in the Philippines with very limited budget. And yet, the expectations are high because they [audiences] are already exposed to U.S. films. It’s challenging but I enjoy that, I enjoy that struggle. So it started with that, with me growing up with Hollywood films and me seeing all of that but wishing there were more Filipino films in that genre.
Hello readers! NRW recently attended the virtual press conference for 20th Century Studios and Hulu’s original suspense thriller, No Exit, premiering, Friday, February 25th!
“No Exit” is the story of Darby Thorne, a young woman en-route to a family emergency who is stranded by a blizzard and forced to find shelter at a highway rest area with a group of strangers. When she stumbles across an abducted girl in a van in the parking lot, it sets her on a terrifying life-or-death struggle to discover who among them is the kidnapper.
Attending the conference included: Dennis Haysbert, Dale Dickey, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Havana Rose Liu (“Darby”) and Damien Power (Director). The conference was moderated by Brandon Davis from ComicBook.com.
No Exit Press Conference (Wednesday, February 15, 2022)
BRANDON: Welcome, everybody, to the press conference for No Exit. We’re celebrating an absolute thrill ride that’s hitting Hulu on February 25th. I’m Brandon Davis from ComicBook.com, and I’ll be moderating today’s press conference. Uh, we have a very special group here today from the film. We have director Damien Power, and we have the cast: Dennis Haysbert, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, and Havana Rosa Lui. Uh, is this everybody’s first time coming together, like, in, like, one big group since production? Is this all your first time, like, at a reunion?
DAMIEN: Yeah, it is.
HAVANA: Mm-hmm.
BRANDON: Well, welcome to the party. That’s exciting. I’m gonna start us off. Damien, I’m coming to you. 2017’s No Exit novel, uh, some readers went through that book, it was critically acclaimed, readers loved it, critics loved it, uh, and a lot of people read it and thought “This would make a really good movie.” And here we are.
BRANDON: So I want to hear from you, when you went back and you looked at the source material after reading the script first, uh, how much creativity and inspiration did you get from the work, uh, that Taylor Adams laid out originally?
DAMIEN: Well, I think the, um, the script that I read was already quite faithful to the novel. Um, there are a few elements that I thought we could, um, take from the novel though. I mean, you know, a-as a novel, it had a great character-driven plot, it’s got high stakes, it’s got these surprising twists and turns, um, this incredible, hostile setting, and, you know, this great ticking clock with the girl in the van. And all that was already, um, in the script that I read. Um, but yes, um, I can see why people read it and thought this would make a great movie. So did I.
BRANDON: Nice.
BRANDON: Havana, I’m gonna come to you next. Uh, you-your-your acting in this film is incredible. It’s so impressive what you were able to put-seemingly put yourself through to convey what-what Darby was going through, was-was really impressive and astonishing. And I feel like it must have pulled so much out of you as a person, as an actress and performer. What were you thinking when you-when you read the range of emotion, and the depth of, like, the-the intensity that Darby was going through when you first read the script for No Exit?
HAVANA: Um, you know, it’s funny, I’m having some Wi-Fi troubles today, so I literally heard every other word of that, but I think I did gather what the question is.
HAVANA: It’s actually good that I didn’t hear all of it, because if I did, I heard-I saw Dennis clap, and I’m sure I would just be blushing and dying in a million bits. So I think that this is a good amount that I heard to keep me humble and alive. Um, I-I think you asked about, um, really seeing the range of emotion and, um, everything I had to go through, and what that took for me as an actor. Yeah. Um, I-honestly, I just fell in love with Darby right away. I’m-I use this thing, like, called “The 36 Questions To Fall In Love” in order to find character every time. I’m untrained, so generally, I’m just, like, throwing pasta at the wall and seeing what sticks.
HAVANA: Um, and that one has been, really, the most impactful, I’ve found. And with Darby, I barely even had to think. It just felt like it was flowing right from me. Um, I find her to be gritty, and bold, and charming, and also tortured, and-and also very vulnerable in a way that-that I don’t think we always see heroic characters holding on to throughout the course of the film, not to give anything away. And, um, I think for me, it was just the best, most sort of complex, nuanced character I could have asked to play, given that so many of her faults really are her strengths, and vice versa.
HAVANA: And I think playing around with that duality was just something that made me feel so alive every day. And I thank Damien every night before bed [LAUGH] for giving me the role. [LAUGH]
BRANDON: I love that. I love-I love how-how deeply you seem connected to this character and it shows. Uh, Danny you really got to unleash a new side of, uh, of your acting self here in this one. You s-you come in as charming, you also go pretty dark for some sequences. And I don’t want to get too far into spoilers, but I loved seeing you bring that out. Uh, how much fun was it to explore that kind-like, that-those two kind of different, uh, sides that your character had [INAUDIBLE] to keep the mys-mystery of it, as well?
DANNY: Well, I think, um, a big portion of that, that actually affected so much of-of going in and throwing down was the two weeks that we all had in quarantine in New Zealand. So for two weeks, uh, all the source material that Damien had sent me, and everything we had talked about was basically just, like, ruminating in my stomach, and just kind of, like, cooking up. So then by the time that we-we went to go film, it would just, like, it all came out. Um, and Dennis, also, there’s some scenes with Dennis that we-we got really playful in there. So, um, but honestly just felt like a pressure cooker…
DANNY: …that felt safe to be our best and our worst selves. Which I think, um, the film definitely required to just-to find ways to empathize with-with people that you normally would write off right away. And, um, it felt-yeah, it was-and I was a little bit scared sitting in that room for two weeks, and then, like, having to go be a person, but also an actor in the space. Um, but I think in the movie, you’re able to see everyone, and the-the beautiful work that they-they did to make really, um, nuanced, and characters that usually an archetype you would write off so quickly, so lovable, and so…
DANNY: And lovable’s a strange word to put on, but in-in some ways, you-you get to know where they come from, and, um, and it was just a lot of fun to throw down.
BRANDON: Damien, I actually want to come back to you really quickly, ’cause I want to build on that. You did kind of find a way to make every character have, you know, their reasoning for being in this situation. Uh, like, you know, you-you-like, we-so that we understood everybody’s perspective of how this came to be. I’d love to hear about how you’ve made sure that you dialed in at least one moment for everyone to really understand each-each person in this room.
DAMIEN: Yeah, I think, um, you know, this is not a film about a character or characters who go on a journey, and-and grow and change. It’s really a film about how true character is revealed under pressure. Um, and that applies to every single character in that room. Um, and the film-the film asks the audience, you know, the audience is trying to work out who is the kidnapper. So, Darby’s trying to ask, “Who are you?” Um, and the film asks that question of the characters all the time. Who are you when this happens? Who are you now? Who are you when the pressure’s really on?
DAMIEN: Um, and I think that that’s a very human, uh, experience. And also, for me, I think it’s about, um, eh, the film is in some ways about how desperate, uh, people sometimes do terrible things. How desperation pushes people to do terrible things. And I think all of those characters are in their own way, um, desperate. And I think that that’s what brings a level of light and shade to all of the characters.
BRANDON: Nice. Uh, David, I’m gonna come to you. You-you and Danny had to establish quite a relationship and dynamic for your characters that kind of evolves as it reveals itself throughout the film. I’d love to hear, was it during that two weeks, that quarantine period, where you all were getting to know each other, get acquainted with, uh, what you were about to do? Like, what kind of stuff did you guys talk about to make sure that that kind of almost sibling-like, but also not, uh, relationship came through?
DAVID: Yeah, and not to give any sp-spoilers, but, like, uh, yeah, we-we definitely, um, you know, the-it was about four days into quarantine, and I was like, “We should-I should find these people’s numbers, you know, so we can actually like…”
DAVID: “Hey, we’re about to do something crazy together, and I’m just sitting here stewing in, you know, somewhere where Danny was, in-in-in Lars’s brain.” And I-and so we actually, uh, I got-I got Havana’s and Danny’s, um, and we had a-we had a FaceTime. And it’s, like, a three-hour FaceTime, and we got-we got really into it. We got-we-we started talking about our own-our own families. Um, you know, I ha-I have a large family, and, uh, you know, just, you-you-for these kind of characters to work, you have to bring yourself to it, and-and to bring-find the personal in it.
DAVID: A-and so it’s not just like, you know, I-I-for-for me, it’s really important in how Damien’s approaching it, and how all-all the other actors approached it, I think, was really not judging these characters. They’re really trying to play them truthfully. And I think, you know, h-trusting the other actors are gonna-are gonna be there for you and supporting. And I feel like every day, we’d go into that snow globe of hell, which I’ve-I’ve used a couple times, and-and-and it was like going into-I feel like, it was like, for me, like going into battle every day, and like, the place you felt-it was shot mostly in order, so it was all the memories of the day before were in you, or of a week before.
DAVID: And so, like, we’ve-there was like this-it-I remember, like, later on in the script, I was like, “I don’t have to act anymore.” I’m just like, “I already feel it just walking into this place. I’m already [LAUGH] triggered.” Uh, and-and the whole crew felt that, too, ’cause we had all kind of-we were all in it together, um, watching the movie unfold in front of us. And, um, I think I just went further than-but I-yeah. Uh, but we all-we-we definitely created the groundwork in quarantine, but we all would go out and have dinners. I got very close to all these people. I-I love all these people. And-and-and you have to have that if you’re gonna do something this dark, I think. Um, you want to have-you know, you want there to be nuance to it.
DAVID: And-and I think, you know, having people that you-you respect, and know that you-have your back is really essential.
HAVANA: Oh, is that why we were friends? Got it.
DAVID: Yeah, it’s the only reason, uh…
BRANDON: No chemistry in the cast here, obviously. You guys didn’t get along at all.
DAMIEN: No, not [INAUDIBLE].
BRANDON: It sounds-it sounds like you guys had a blast. And Dennis, I’m gonna come to you. You’re-you’re six foot five. You were an athlete.
BRANDON: Uh, you’re-you’re naturally-you could play an intimidating individual just based on physicality.
BRANDON: But you bring a sense of awareness, and calmness, and confidence that adds a whole different level of pre-like, a different type of presence with this character, who then becomes intimidating in his own ways, just because of what you know he’s capable of by he’s-with what he’s not even showing you yet. Uh, I’d love to hear, you know, what-what did you want us to understand about Ed right away, uh, in-in this paranoia-inducing setting?
DENNIS: That’s a good question. I, um, I was ready to answer something totally different. Um…
BRANDON: Feel free to answer that, too. I mean, you know, this is your show. [LAUGH]
DENNIS: You know, well, I-you know, but what I-what I learned from Ed, is I played a lot of military, um, characters over the years. And, um, the one thing I’ve noticed about all the military characters, and I’ve also traveled extensively with the, uh, USO, and, uh, no two soldiers are alike. [CLEARS THROAT] So every time I play a soldier, he’s not the same guy. Um, this-uh, Ed, um, [MAKES NOISE] Ed is looking for an opportunity to show who he is.
DENNIS: Um, he’s got-I’ve, um, I incorporated some PTSD with him. Uh, you know, some other traumas. Um, I wish Dale was here, uh, she’s my support, and, uh, my heart goes out to her. But, um, her and I together, we were a team. And, um, so when certain things happen, you know, that-that-that are-that come to everyone’s surprise, uh, you know, cuts deep. Um, boy, I-I think I’m going-just dancing around this question.
DENNIS: Uh, what I learned most fr-a-about Ed is that he has issues, and he’s gotta deal with ’em. And, uh, and when it comes up, he gets that chance.
BRANDON: Nice. Nice. I’m gonna-appreciate it. I’m gonna open this up to some questions from the press here.
This first question is coming from Tessa Smith at MamasGeeky.com. This question is for Havana.
BRANDON: For pretty much the entire movie, you look freezing cold. Was that real snow? And if so, did you keep warm betw-how did you keep warm between shots?
HAVANA: [LAUGH] Damien, take it on.
DAMIEN: [LAUGH] No, there was-there was no real snow. So we filmed the entire, um, film in a studio in Auckland in New Zealand in summer. Um, so we had a lot of fake snow, um, which was not without its own hazards, as Havana can tell you. She got totally hosed by a snow tornado, uh, on day one, um, which was-which was pretty painful.
HAVANA: [LAUGH]
DAMIEN: And we had to dial the snow back somewhat. Um, so we had-we had some fake snow on set, and then we added a lot of digital snow. I think every time you’re looking at some snow, um, it’s-there’s a digital element in there somewhere.
BRANDON: That’s unbelievable.
HAVANA: It was also very hot; it was very warm on set. It was summer in New Zealand.
DAMIEN: [LAUGH]
HAVANA: So that-the-the-the shivering actually comes from heat exhaustion. [LAUGH]
BRANDON: Wow. Could’ve fooled me. Uh, all right. This next question comes from, uh, Taty Padilla, uh, from Cool Mom Cool Tips. Question for Damien. Were there any elements from the novel that did not make it into the movie that you wished you could’ve fit in?
DAMIEN: There was nothing that I wished I could have fit in. I think, um, there were-we made some-the plot is pretty faithful, um, to the novel. We made some tweaks to the characters, and their backstories, and their backgrounds, and how they came to be there. Um, which I think, um, were good. Um, no. So there’s no-I don’t think there are any elements from the novel that I wish we had done.
BRANDON: R-so we don’t have to start the “Release the Power cut,” uh…
DAMIEN: [LAUGH] No. You got the-you got the Power cut.
BRANDON: Yeah. [LAUGH] All right. Uh, this comes from Kuya P, uh, from Nerds Rule the World. Question for the cast. This is a very physical film, especially towards the end. How did everyone prep for all of this? Any set stories? Uh, Havana, do you want to take that one?
HAVANA: Yeah, sure. I think-to be honest, I think stunts was one of the highlights of this film. And especially how game all of us as cast members work to do that. There was so much trust that was built, even just through the physicality of this. We had an incredible stunt master, John Costello, who helped us sort of ease our way through the choreography of a lot of the stunts that, um, take place in the film.
HAVANA: And so much of what happened between characters was so trust based, that we spent a lot of time actively, Danny and I, sort of prepping a lot of those scenes. And also, I know that, you know, each and every one of us had different time with John that was special for a number of ways. Like, he’s also just an incredible human being. So I think that the stunts and really the physicality of the movie is sort of at the heart of where a lot of the trust comes between all the characters. That we all know we’re trust falling together in a safe environment, John’s got our back, all the stunt doubles got our back. And I think that’s part of what makes it so fun, too.
HAVANA: And honestly, that was what was, like-I found myself laughing between really difficult horrible takes, because you’re in these, like, ridiculous situations with people in very violent moments, and-and still having a great time. So I really applaud John for that, really.
BRANDON: Yeah.
HAVANA: And also everyone for being so game.
DAMIEN: Everyone was-everyone was so committed. I remember John, um, pulling me aside and saying, “These guys are better than my stunt team.” Um… [LAUGH]
BRANDON: Uh, this-this-does anybody else want to touch on that before I move on? If anybody wants to, I’ll gi-I just wanted to make sure. All right. Uh, this next question is from Ashley Saunders, uh, withashleyandco.com. Question for Danny. How did you get into the headspace of Ash? Were there any classic psychological thrillers that you studied to help find your own brand of evil?
DANNY: Well, I don’t want to spoil too much. Um, I-I…
MALE: [LAUGH]
DANNY: I think the-the two weeks in quarantine really kind of, um…
BRANDON: They change a person.
DANNY: They change-they change a person, honestly. And-but I-and I-I was trying to be cognizant on, like, what that machine I was building in me kind of, like, uh, turned into.
DANNY: But there was just so much, um, I pulled from so many different sources, and-and Damien and I had many conversations on, um, different people that we wanted to kinda pepper in there. And then it kinda started, like, forming into its o-like, Ash became his own person with all these in-influences. But, um, I don’t necessarily want to tip the cap in any way by-by saying which influences are the most. But, um, yeah, no, he’s-it was the two weeks of quarantine I think were… [LAUGH]
BRANDON: They were enough.
DANNY: Yeah, I just keep bringing it up every time too. Yeah.
HAVANA: Enough to bring out the evil in anyone.
DANNY: You know.
BRANDON: Yeah. Uh, this next question is from Francesca Pierleoni from Ansa Newswire in Italy. Uh, question for Dennis Haysbert. Ed and Sandy seem to embody at the start, uh, the audience’s point of view. But then we find they have two different moral standpoints but are still so connected. How did you and Dale Dickey find such a chemistry?
DENNIS: Um, when we, um, when we first got there, we had a, uh, what, a couple of hours session with Damien, and, uh, we explored our, uh, relationship.
DENNIS: And, um, a-as with most relationships, you know, you’re-you’re deeply in love, but things kind of, you know, pull apart. And, um, and sooner or later, um, I think-gosh, I-I wish I could, uh, you know, really get into this. But, you know, there’s a lot of spoilers in this. So, um, I’m just saying that we, uh, we had a-we had a good session, and, uh, and then we carried it on, um, you know, off, uh, offset. You know, uh, Dale and I would go out and have dinners together.
DENNIS: We would, uh, you know, we would talk, you know, a lot. You know, and whether we’re talking or not, or texting, you know, we-we got really, really close. I had never met Dale before, uh, this film. So, uh, getting to know her, uh, was probably one of the many highlights, uh, for me in this film. And, um, e-e-everything that we did, it was all based in love.
BRANDON: Nice. I-I-I-as-I’m thinking about everybody talking about the evolution of the characters, building relationships and everything, and I heard, uh, David earlier talk about you guys shot this in sequence.
BRANDON: And David, I actually wanted to hear more about that, because I, like-your character-everybody’s character goes through kind of, like, evolution through reveals. Like, they are who they are all along, but we get to know them, and they start acting more themselves as the movie goes on. So I’d love to hear, you know, what kind of like freedom did that give you to-or supplements did that give you to go in sequence? Because most films don’t shoot in the order that the script is laid out.
DAVID: No, no, it was s-such a gift. And you start to also realize, “Oh, that’s what that-that’s what that scene wa…” Normally you’re trying to imagine like, “All right, I’m shooting this scene beforehand, later,” and try to imagine that scene. But now we-we all have it in our bodies.
DAVID: Like, when you say how physical it is, like, my-my, uh, my leg would be sore the next day. I’d be like, “All right, I feel that,” you know? And-and so you just, you feel it. You know, we’re making real memories, you know, as real humans. And I think that i-uh, and then, you know, Damien was really an-a kinda director that was really lovely to play with. I feel like we’d do a-a-a take, and then you’d go back and you’re like, “All right, let’s-I’m gonna try something else.” Even messing with lines sometimes, or like, allowing us to really play within, um, I mean, they-they built this playground, you know, this-for us to pl-eh-eh-it sort of felt like, you know?
BRANDON: We-we-and-and it felt very collaborative in the blocking, and like-and-and we could, you know, organically feel like what this felt like, and would I go here, and-and understanding that. So that-it was-I mean shooting it in sequence, I-it was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as an actor. And it-and it-and it was because, I think, of the way everyone came to it, the way Damien set it up, and also the nature that we could shoot in sequence during a pandemic, and-and ha-in a-also, I think, like, have this-you know, we’re all trapped in the United States, and then you go to New Zealand, and we can-we’re free in a-in a way. And that’s the opposite of what you felt in the script, you know? So yet you’d be free all day, and then you go and be trapped [LAUGH] for, you know, 12 hours, then you’re free again.
BRANDON: Yeah.
DENNIS: [LAUGH]
BRANDON: We have another, uh, question from our press who’s watching right now. This one comes from Charles Villanueva from, uh, Murphy’s Mu-Multiverse. Hey, Charles. Uh, question for everyone. What was it like working with Mila Harris who plays Jay? Was it weird having a kid on set? Uh, Damien, I’ll-I’ll let you take this one [LAUGH] first.
DAMIEN: Um, Mila was ferociously talented. Um, and just completely t-terrifying and scary.
DAMIEN: Um, I remember in the audition-watching her audition, um, you know, have-having to, um, to-to see how scared she could pretend to be, um, and just being completely convinced. So I think that e-every time that she was, um, on set and required to, um, be tied up, or, um, terrified, um, we all felt it. I certainly-I know that I felt it. Um, she was great.
BRANDON: Anybody else have any cool experiences?
HAVANA: Yeah, I remember big…
DANNY: Powerhouse. She’s like-she’s one of the best child actresses that I’ve ever worked with. Honestly, knocked it out of the park every single time.
DANNY: There’d be moments that, like, a-like, we check in to see how-how she’s doing, and she’d just, like, pop into a smile. And we’re like, “Wait, what-what? How are you able to transport yourself?” Um, it was-it was wonderful to see every single time.
HAVANA: She also had…
DENNIS: Mila is not a child.
GROUP: [LAUGH]
DENNIS: She’s not a child.
BRANDON: [LAUGH]
DENNIS: You would never say that she was a child. She’s, like, 40 years old. You know?
HAVANA: [LAUGH]
DENNIS: She was just amazing. You know, she was an inspiration. You know, I mean, a-and you know, she would do something, you know, have this horrifying, um, uh, scene or sequence, and then as soon as it’s over, “Hi.”
DENNIS: You know? [LAUGH] And she was just all right. And could, you know…
HAVANA: [OVERLAP]
DENNIS: Go ahead, honey.
HAVANA: No, no, please.
DENNIS: No, I-at-at times I wondered if there was something, you know-you know, if she was traumatized at all, you know? And she wasn’t. She just wasn’t. And unless she’s, you know, unless she’s an even better actress than I-I think she is, uh, she just handled it, uh, just, you know, it just-just right off her shoulders. She’s fine. She was marvelous.
HAVANA: She also has, like, an incredible innate sense of confidence. I remember after the table read, we all were sort of packing up and still discussing, and she was walking out, and she’s like,” Great work today, everyone,” and leaves the room. And you know, and you’re like, “This is coming from the tiniest one of all of us, and she’s the least nervous.” So [LAUGH] so, I found-I also found a lot of inspiration from Mila. I thought of her as very much like my little sibling in at all. And I feel very lucky she was on set, ’cause she was very grounding, as well. To have a child in all of this violence, it reminded you that there’s light and beauty and play to be had. And she really brought that energy for all of us.
BRANDON: Kids are fearless.
DAVID: She had great parents around her, too, I think. That was, like, really…
DENNIS: Mmm.
DAVID: …you know, it’s like… ‘Cause you’re always wondering with a child, you’re like, “What-what parents are doing this?,” but it-she-she wants to be there. You know, she really wanted to be there, and her parents were supporting it. B’ That’s awesome. That’s awesome. Damien, when you were-when you were assembling the cast, and you landed on such a talented group, who was the first piece of the puzzle that was like, “All right, this is our-this is our first cast member. This is our first character. Now we gotta build around them”? And-and-and why w-did you make that choice first?
DAMIEN: Um, I think that there’s always, um, an alchemy that goes into casting, especially, um, when you’re trying to create this ensemble, this small group of characters who we’re gonna spend all our time with.
DAMIEN: I think, um, Havana might’ve been the first person, um, that I saw, and cast, and remember, um, that audition really well, um, because I just felt that, you know, she was-she was that character. You know, she brought such amazing Darby energy. Um, and, you know, um,
Dale and Dennis were actors that I thought of for these characters, and just, you know, um, had so many fingers crossed, um, that they would, um, say yes. And then they did. And it was the same talking to, uh, Danny and David.
DAMIEN: I was like, “I can imagine, um, these-the-the chemistry between these characters, and between, um, the, uh, Havana’s Darby and Dennis and Dale. You have to-but it’s, um, you know, it’s always a kind of roll the dice. You never know, um, how everyone’s gonna be until you’re in that situation. Um, and-and Mila, too. You know, I just, um, I felt really lucky and blessed to, um, be able to work with this wonderful bunch of people.
BRANDON: Well, and you brought-you brought e-out the best in everybody’s w-talent, so good work to all of you. Uh, and-and I-I imagine things got quite on-quite intense on this set.
BRANDON: ‘Cause I mean, it could be a scene where people are chasing each other, you know, threatening each other’s lives, or just playing a card game, and you feel the stakes constantly. So I’m-I-I-I imagine the set must’ve been pretty serious at times. I’d love to hear how did you guys lighten the mood between tags? How’d you make sure everybody was still having a good time? Did you do anything to pass time when the cameras weren’t rolling, and keeping things intense? Danny, what-what are you thinking over there?
DANNY: Oh, no, I’m thinking about the time Dennis just like, we then actually, like, did a-a couple of, like, card games, and he’d just take our money, and…
GROUP: [LAUGH]
DAVID: Yeah. I owe-I still owe you money, Dennis.
DANNY: Yeah, me too. I owe you, yeah. [LAUGH]
DENNIS: That’s okay. Debt paid in full. No, we started playing poker. [LAUGH]
BRANDON: That’s awesome.
DENNIS: You know? And, um, I tell you, man, all the memories are starting to flood back right now. And, um, we had such a good time. Uh, I’ll give you one story, um, that has to do with the, uh, the BS game. And, uh, we went-we all went out to dinner. And, um, and unbeknownst to everyone, when we got to the table, we sat in the very same orientation, as we sat on stage.
DENNIS: And we both clocked-we all clocked it at the same time. We said, “Wait a minute. You know we’re sitting in exactly the same spots we sit when we’re, you know, on stage?” And we let out this roar. And the whole restaurant-I mean, ’cause we’re tucked the corner. I guess that’s where they-they tuck all the actors that come in. And, uh, and [LAUGH] and-and all of the restaurant, you know, loo-like, turns around and looks at us, you know, but we were oblivious. We were just having such a good time.
DENNIS: And-a-and one thing I’ll add, is that of all of the movies I’ve done, [CLEARS THROAT] it’s very rare when you find every single character, every single actor that you absolutely adore. There’s always one, you know? There’s always one throws that, you know, that, you know, that cog into the wheel. But not on this cast. This cast was an absolute delight to work with. And Damien was an absolute delight.
DENNIS: The crew, oh, my God. These guys thought that they were coming and seeing-I mean, I would look at their faces after a take, and they were, like, in wonderment of what, uh, what was going on. And I owe that to the talents of all these people, and especially to Damien. And, um, it-it was such a pleasure. BRANDON: And so that’s-we’re [INAUDIBLE] question here. And, uh, I’m gonna come to you, Havana, uh, because I-I mentioned at the beginning of this how impressed I was with the-the acting work you did here.
BRANDON: You play a character who’s pretty fearless, she’s driven, she’s loaded with emotion. And I’d actually love to hear from you personally, like, how much does it mean to be trusted, to get this opportunity to deliver such a performance in a movie like this, that’s gonna-it’s going out to Hulu, and-on such a big stage?
HAVANA: [MAKES NOISE] Um, I like to make the joke that, um, I felt like I was gonna die, and also felt very alive every single day. Like, the most alive, and the most close to death I’ve ever felt. Because similar to what Dennis is expressing, like, I just-I have so much respect for everyone I was working with.
HAVANA: Like, these are-I learned from every single one of the cast, and also every single one of the crew the entire time. I’m newer to this craft, and so for me, like, most of the work is being a sponge. And I think that being given the trust to be that sponge was, I mean, exhilarating, and also probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. And to be honest, I think a lot of it just was able to parlay into the role, right? Like, Darby doesn’t know what to do. Darby is terrified out of her mind. Darby’s in a new situation. And for me, in some ways, it was, like, a perfect marriage, because I was able to sort of exercise all those feelings I had about acting with such a trustworthy and lovely group of people.
HAVANA: And really on, like, one of the most loving sets I’ve ever been on. And, um, I think I’m s-I’m still pinching myself. You know, today has been one of the first days that I feel like I’m realizing this is actually happening. Um, you know, people are reflecting; they’ve actually seen the movie, and I’m like, “You saw it?” Like, I’m surprised. Um, and so I think there’s a lot of internal processing that’s still happening. So I don’t have an exact, succinct, you know, very eloquent answer for you other than to say that I’m just-I think I’m just, like, swimming in this massive oasis of gratitude and, um, just reveling in what we made-and-and hoping I did a good enough job to make, you know, my people proud. [LAUGH]
BRANDON: I love it. I love it. I-well, I think you should be proud, everybody should be proud of you all for this movie here. No Exit. Everybody, No Exit hits Hulu on February 25th. Big thank you to our panel here: Havana, Dennis, Danny, David, Damien. Uh, thank you so much for joining us. And, everybody, thank you so much for joining the press conference. We’ll see soon. Bye, everybody.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan – The Walking Dead _ Season 11 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC
During the Press Event for the Walking Dead I had the opportunity to discuss the final part of the final season with Josh McDermitt, Laila Robin, Josh Hamilton, Teo Rapp-Olsson . It was a very light hearted press experience for a show with such a big run and gritty feel. It’s interesting seeing that the cast is light and cracking jokes making the experience easy going and not as scary as the Walkers we see on screen.
Some of the topics discussed included the issues of the Commonwealth and the repetition of history and class warfare issue being presented on screen, Teo Rapp-Olsson expressed how it’s showed a good blend between the comics and the shows storyline which he feels fans would find both relatable and great to see the characters experience on screen. It’s a blend of survival but the basics of that is everyone still wants to get for their people and tribe, as Laila Robin pointed out.
Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter, Paola Lázaro as Juanita ‘Princess’ Sanchez – The Walking Dead _ Season 11 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC
My question that I appreciated their answers to was mostly on how they felt about the end of the series, especially as some cast members are newer coming into such big series with following as big as a Walker horde. Josh McDermitt one said your writers glasses we’re amazing which is a compliment I will hold dearly but one of the things the mentioned they would cherish was the actual relationships built onset, most of the other castmates said that the family and community aspect was the biggest factor for them, that there aren’t really egos there. The stories shared definitely give a feel that even thought the series is walking it’s way toward the end that the cast members will still have some genuine fondness for each other and the journey they have been on.
Steven Spielberg with the Young Stars of West Side Story
On Tuesday November 30th the opportunity to attend the virtual Press Conference for the newest screen rendition of West Side Story Directed and Produced by Steven Spielberg as well as Producer and Actress Rita Moreno and Screenwriter Tony Kushner, who were first to interview on stage for the conference. The second half was dedicated to the main cast including Rachel Zegler who plays Maria to Ansel Elgort’s Tony.
One of the main questions that was asked to start off both sessions was how with the recent passing of Stephen Sondheim who has composed and written so many amazing works, West Side Story being one of them, what were their feelings about contributing to his legacy. Which I will admit was one of my own questions as well and the answers were very heartwarming and surprising to say the least. Mr. Spielberg had mentioned talking with the Mr. Sondheim and wanting to have his blessing for the project which he gave. And Ms. Moreno shared how he came to the recording sessions and her experience meeting him and stepping on his toes a bit accidentally. Even the young cast shared their experience with meeting the legend and working on this project and how much of an honor it was, Rachel even adding in respect ‘ May his memory be a blessing’ before the conference moved on.
Rita Moreno & Steven Spielberg at the Premiere
Some of the things touched on in the first half was the choice to keep it set in the timeframe it was versus updating it to modern times, where the consensus was that the message of the movie is applicable to any time frame but keeping it in the original time felt like the right choice as a kind of a reminder this is where we came from and how it’s still relatable now. They also discussed how wanting to keep the folks within the feeling of the time frame with finding locations that still had that old er New York feeling, having to remove some modern amenities from sets to get the most authentic look for shots and even shooting in parts of New Jersey to get the scene and tone accurate.
In both halves of the conference both Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose both shared stories of playing the Anita and what that means to them, And how Ms. Moreno felt acting along Ms. DeBose playing a role she had played and won an Oscar as and the connection and significance of that moment of seeing the next generation step into a role. As well as for DeBose trying to make Anita her own and what it meant for her to play her as an Afro-Latina, even mentioning in her audition how she hoped that she would be picked in hopes to show the full representation of what a Latina woman could be. Even Ms. Moreno touched on the feeling of having to darken herself a bit to play the part and how proud she is of the casting choices. And as a Afrolatina my self who grew up with the original movie and soundtrack playing in my home it does mean alot. And the cast it’s self pointing out in the second half that this is the first time West Side Story has had a mostly Latinx cast and how thankful that they wanted them to express how growing up Latinx was for them in America as prep and an open discussion for both creative and professional purposes.
Ariana DeBose, Steven Spielberg and Rachel Zegler at the Premiere
West Side Story has been a classic both on stage and on screen. This newest screen adaption has already started to capture the hearts of those who have previewed it already. And from the conference the cast and productions energy and excitement for sharing this story for a new generation to experience and cherish was a sight I was honored to behold.
West Side Story will be available to audiences in theaters on December 10th. Advance ticketing is available now to get your seats.
Stay in touch with updates and news on West Side Story by following their social media:
It feels like forever since we began talking about Kate finally getting her own moment in the MCU sun. The Hawkeye series, initially announced in 2019, finally arrived on Disney+ today, Wednesday, November 24, with the first two episodes.
We, the fans, have been impatiently looking froward to it but those who seem the most excited are the cast themselves. The Global Press Conference, lead by Brandon Davis of comicbook.com, was filled with holiday cheer and laughter. From talking the Holidays and themes to the potential future of Kate as a Young Avenger. Proving that all the best things come tied with a bow!
Davis: Jeremy, I’m gonna start with you.
RENNER: Yes.
Davis: Last time we saw Clint Barton in the MCU, he was mourning the loss of one of his best friends, spending a little time with Wanda talking about it, and then retreating with his family. Now he’s in New York caught up in a Christmas extravaganza. In your words, where do we find Clint to start Haw-the Hawkeye series?
RENNER: [LAUGH] I think you just said it. [Yeah], what else you want me to say, you know? Yeah, ’cause, uh, there’s a, uh, emotional sort of, you know, uh, through line that-that-that ties in from obviously End Game stuff, and it’s a [lot of] healing and these kind of things. But, I mean, we start off with the-a very, very happy step forward into, uh, family vacation into New York at Christmas, and taking the kids to go see a musical. And, um, then everything kinda goes sideways from there.
Davis: It’s quite an adventure. I’ve seen the first two. It’s a [lot of] fun. Hailee, welcome to the MCU.
STEINFELD: Thank you.
DAVIS: I think you know by now everybody’s loving Kate Bishop. Congratulations. I’m among those people.
STEINFELD: Thank you.
DAVIS: Kate is super confident. Like, very confident in everything she does.
STEINFELD: Mm, yes.
DAVIS: I wanna hear about where is that confidence coming from, and sh-tell me about Kate.
STEINFELD: [LAUGH] Uh, yeah, so, um, I really do feel like this-playing this character, uh, it sort of forced me to find a confidence and-and a determination and discipline that-that’s always been inside of me, but I-I really had to-really had to bring it out of myself for this, uh, and do this character justice. I feel so lucky to be playing some-you know, a character that is so loved by so many and, uh, that people have been waiting for some time to see brought to life.
DAVIS: Jeremy, you’ve seen a [lot of] people join the MCU in your time as Hawkeye. How quickly did she get acclimated to the Marvel family?
STEINFELD: Uh oh. [LAUGH]
RENNER: Uh, she came in very, very prepared. She came in hot. She was ready. It’s pretty awesome. It’s pretty sad that it makes me feel old that I see a [lot of] people come in and see a [lot of] people go. [LAUGH] I’m, like, a grandpa. [LAUGH] It’s terrible. But, yeah-no, Hailee came in ready to rock and prepared and, you know, game to-crame-came to play, man.
Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld joined at Fan Even in NYC to celebrate Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” on Disney+
DAVIS: Yeah. Uh, Rhys [Thomas], the director behind the curtain here, man, I wanna hear about-we’ve seen your first two episodes here. Uh, you’re also an executive producer. I’d love to hear about some of the creative opportunities you felt you got to do on Hawkeye because your camera work, like, in the Disney Plus special that we saw, that preview of the continuous shot in the car, I saw you’re digging the continuous shots in that first episode to open the show. I’d love to hear about some things you did maybe for the first time or got to take advantage of with Hawkeye.
THOMAS: Um, money, I g… [LAUGH]
ALL: [LAUGH]
THOMAS: Yeah, yeah. No, um-no, I mean, obviously the-the MCU has already set a-a pretty high bar, the-the highest of bars, and so, um, stepping into this is obviously, uh, a huge opportunity in so many ways. And-and you’re also inheriting a-you know, such a vast universe and a, you know, a real deep well of-of backstory. So, really, you know, I think that it’s-it’s sort of-the endeavor is essentially to try and match that as best you can and, um- and do it justice. Uh, so, um, you know, I don’t think-y-you don’t think of it as a-as necessarily an opportunity. It’s more of a ch-a challenge and, um-but, you know, again, you’re in the best hands as well with these guys. So, um, I don’t know. You keep your head down and-and-and do what feels right for these guys.
DAVIS: Yeah. Well, congrats on the positive reception from everybody who’s seen it. Uh, Kevin, I’m gonna go to the back row. I’m gonna turn to you. Uh, i-this is the sixth of sixth OG Avengers getting a title to-to be the lead here. Uh, what are you hoping we get to see from Hawkeye? What did you wanna take advantage of in giving him his own story that we didn’t get to see before?
FEIGE: Well, primarily, it’s, uh, Jeremy Renner. We wanna see more Jeremy Renner. You wanna see more of Jeremy Renner and more of Jeremy, uh, Renner. Uh, and that goes back to the earliest days, yes, we’re both grandfathers now of the M-MCU, and, uh-and the trust that Jeremy had to jump into the MCU before moderators said things like, welcome to the MCU. It was, hey, you wanna do this thing with us, and it’d be pretty cool, and I think it could be neat. Um, and, uh-and he said yes, and then he won an Academy Award, and he still said yes. And, uh, I thought that was pretty cool. Uh, but all of the-all-they were relatively small obviously. Uh, Ultron we saw a little more, and then he just started stealing all the scenes, but it was always, uh, the intention to explore much more. The character’s history is vast. Um, and also the Matt Fraction comics, which I’m sure people have been spending a lotta time talking about, uh, over, uh-over the l-the-these last few press days, was a big tonal, uh, inspiration for us. And seeing that and this new dynamic. And there are moments within all of-of, uh, Jeremy’s appearances where you see this-this mentor under the surface. This reluctant hero. This reluctant mentor under the surface. One of my-under-under the surface. One of my favorite scenes in-in all of our films is the scene with, uh, Clint and Wanda in Sokovia, when he basically says, you go out that door, you’re an Avenger and motivates to, uh-to, uh-to join the fight. And that was the kernel of what-of-of how we could connect our MCU incarnation of Clint Barton into the Matt Fraction, uh, storyline and the relationship with Kate Bishop.
DAVIS: Yeah. As I said, this is the sixth OG Avenger getting a show. This all started with one Iron Man movie, and now you have people clamoring for Moon Knight, for She Hulk, for all these projects you guys are announcing. How [LAUGH]-how-how is it, you know, balancing all these stories these days with so much going on in Hawkeye in New York and everything else at the same time?
FEIGE: Um, it-it’s fun. It’s just a culmination of what we’d been dreaming about and-and, uh, Blue Sky, uh, envisioning for-for two decades.
DAVIS: I love it. Uh, Tony [Dalton], welcome to the MCU, as I-as we-as is the new phrase.
DALTON: Thank you.
DAVIS: Uh, you come in as Jacques Duquesne, a popular character from comics. Uh, what can you say about, uh, Jacques relationship to the Bishop family, and what we might see-how we might see that develop?
DALTON: Uh, so what was it, Rhys?
ALL: [LAUGH]
DALTON: Uh, well, yeah, he’s, uh, sort of a family friend. Uh, and then he [LAUGH]-he becomes, uh, in love with, uh, Eleanor Bishop, and, uh, they have a-sort of a little bit of a relationship. And you-you’re kinda-you don’t know where he’s coming from. I don’t know. What the hell else am I supposed to say?
ALL: [LAUGH]
DAVIS: Tell us everything. No, don’t…
DALTON: Just turn the mic off and [OVERLAP] whoa, whoa, wait. You don’t wanna give away too much, you know?
DAVIS: Fair. Perfect. That’s-that’s the-that’s the Marvel way there. You are part-part of the family. Uh, and Vera [Farmiga],our final welcome to the MCU goes to you today. Congratulations. I’m loving Eleanor Bishop.
FARMIGA: Thank you. Thank you.
DAVIS: I gotta say, you’re doing a great job as mama Bishop raising a young Avenger, probably a tall order. what convinced you to take on this role as, like, a mentor, uh, caught up in all these different…
FARMIGA: There’s a-there’s a couple of things. Um, I-I loved the-well, number one, I love archery, just hands down. I am an archer. You guys don’t know this about me. My first job I played an archer with Heath Ledger in a series called Roar, where I-I had my bow and arrow and I had a-my 40-pound pull-weight arrow, and if I couldn’t [LAUGH]-and-I’m good at it, to be honest with you, so if I wasn’t gonna be wielding that bow and arrow, I just wanted to be next to someone with true grit that, um…
STEINFELD: Aw, thank you.
THOMAS: Yeah, it was a s-it was a-an innocent suggestion in one of our calls that-that I quickly tried to backtrack on.
ALL: [LAUGH]
FEIGE: Which is true. Which is true, but I-I loved the idea, and it gave a reason-there was always-it-the-it was a bit of a generic Christmas in New York. Uh, Clint taking the kids. It was a daddy-a daddy weekend before Christmas. Um, and-and I had met, uh, the a-amazing composer Mark Shaiman at an event a few-this is very, like, the most socia-I’m not a social guy. So, to even say, I met him at an event [a bit like?]-it was, like, one the la-three events I’ve been to in the last ten years. And, uh-uh, thought he would-and his husband is a giant-giant Marvel fan. So, when Rhys said that it-it gave us context for the opening episode, context for why Clint is in New York, context for Clint seeing himself in, uh, the-the way the way the world sees-sees Hawkeye. And gave us an opportunity to have an amazing song by, uh-by Mark Shaiman.
DAVIS: That-that had to be your way of answering all of the questions you always get about, are you gonna do an MCU musical. You’re, like, he-yeah, here you go, here you go. S-stop asking.
ALL: [LAUGH]
DAVIS [On behalf of Megan Darvish [PH] from TV Insider]: For Hailee and Jeremy. Did you do anything special to build your bond behind the scenes, and did Jeremy offer any good archery tips?
RENNER: [LAUGH]
STEINFELD: Uh, that I was never gonna shoot an actual arrow. That was the first thing he told me, and I actually-it-it, for whatever reason, didn’t occur to me that would actually be the case. Um, but that’s that. But as far as bonding, I mean, we sort of…
RENNER: [Big?] pressure.
STEINFELD: [LAUGH] No, but that’s-by the way, kinda was a little bit, but it’s fine. Um, no. I mean, I-I will say, as far as, like, bonding, we really jumped right into this thing, uh, right straight into the deep end, uh, and together. So, we were, um, kind of, like, taking it as it was-as it was coming, but I felt so grateful to have Jeremy’s support and, um, and his mentorship in real life as I do as Kate. But yeah, we shared a [lot of] laughs, didn’t we?
RENNER: Yes ma’am.
DAVIS: [LAUGH] This is your official initiation for the MCU from an-one Avenger to a-a newcomer?
RENNER: For me, I know, uh, I just wanted to communicate with her that I had her back, and that there’s gonna be a lotta strange things that go on. You know, it’s a-you know, it’s-it’s-it’s different than-than other types of filmmaking. There’s, um-I just wanted to let her know that she wasn’t alone, and I had her back and, um, I’ll give her the answers if she needed them. So.
Stars Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld alongside directing duo Bert & Bertie at NYC “Hawkeye” fan event in NYC.
DAVIS [on behalf of Tessa Smith from Mama’s Geeky]: For Kevin again. So thankful for all the comic book nods in the series. What was the decision process like to finally bring Lucky the Pizza Dog into the MCU?
FEIGE: Uh, well, if you’re gonna do Clint and Kate, you have to do Lucky. That was-that was pretty much a given.
DAVIS: Straight forward. I dig it, I dig it.
FEIGE: [LAUGH]
DAVIS [On behalf of Scott Menzel from We Live Entertainment]: A question for Hailee and Jeremy. Kate brings out a more playful side of Clint. I was hoping you can talk about that dynamic. Also, the scene about Hawkeye needing a brand makeover was priceless. S-let’s hear about that dynamic. How’d you guys set up this, uh-this relationship?
STEINFELD: [LAUGH] Go on.
DAVIS: She’s [bushed?]. It’s on you. You’re the grandfather.
RENNER: It-it’s on me. How we set it up. [I’m old first?]. There’s scripts, right? And it’s character development. Uh, and so, yeah, you set up, you know, characters that are-have, like-are-could be polar opposites in a lotta ways, but then they have a lotta congruent, uh, values and belief systems and skill sets, and things like that. And, um, it’s a wonderfully complicated, um, uh, relationship or friendship or partnership, all these type of things. Uh, you can put all sorts of labels on it. But, uh, it’s already kinda set up that way, and I think you can put these two characters in-in various different scenarios, and it’s-it’s gonna be, um, a winning scenario. Um, it-it really is great. It had that kinda-it has a-a buddy [cop?]. It has a mentor thing. It has-it has, uh, beautiful intimate, um, um, shared experiences that they have. Um, it’s-it’s really-it’s really touching and-and funny and, um-I don’t know, it’s pre-I think it’s a really dynamic-dynamic relationship, and I’m excited to, uh-to see it all.
THOMAS: Hailee?
ALL: [LAUGH]
STEINFELD: Wow. Thank you, Rhys. Uh, no, I mean, truly, I would agree. It was very fun, sort of, figuring out as-again, as we were going. Sort of, the evolution of this dynamic in this relationship, and I think, ultimately, there’s a-a really true friendship there and an understanding. Um, Kate sees Clint as someone, despite his past-uh, as someone who wants to do good and wants to help people, and that’s all she wants to do in life, and she’s inspired by him and-and-and motivated by him and wants to be at his level and is very over-eager, and he puts up with a lot. But, um, she really delivers at the end of the day.
DAVIS [On behalf of Rahul Majumdar from IGN India]: For Hailee. Marvel’s Phase Four seems to be setting up a new group of young Avengers. How excited are you to join the new group moving forward in the MCU?
ALL: [LAUGH]
DAVIS: Is that true? What?
STEINFELD: [LAUGH] Am I? I mean, listen, It-this feels so crazy to me right now just sitting here with this group of people. I’m so grateful to be a part of this-this show and this universe, and, um, it’s-it’s only the beginning. The show’s not even out, so I’m looking forward to-to that day. [LAUGH]
DAVIS: Young Avengers confirmed. Uh… [LAUGH]
STEINFELD: No. [LAUGH]
DAVIS [on behalf of Anthony D’Alessandro from Deadline Hollywood]: Yeah. Uh, we have another question for Kevin. I know you can’t fully say, but can you t… [LAUGH] those are-those-the-how the best questions start.
THOMAS: I think we just stop there, right? [LAUGH]
DAVIS: Uh, but can you tease which future MCU movies and shows, uh, that the Hawkeye story will connect with?
FEIGE: Uh, well, I-I mean, the-th-as, uh, as announced on Disney Plus Day last week, uh, the Echoseries will be-will b-a-as we see Maya Lopez go from-from the end of this series into that series will be the-the next direct, uh, link.
DAVIS: You guys have announced a lot of projects, a lot of connections. How much more is going on behind the scenes that you guys are still figuring out and working on? Because I know you guys are just, y-you just don’t stop. You know, I-do you sleep?
FEIGE: I do sleep. I love sleep. It’s very important.
DAVIS: [LAUGH] Hailee, when you sign up for a role like Kate Bishop as a character who now in comics who’s been around for years become a fan favorite, stories can go anywhere in the MCU. You can meet any characters. Are you ready to do this, like, for the long haul? Because there are people who’ve been doing this for 10 plus years. Have you thought about that?
STEINFELD: I mean, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I try and take everything one step at a time. I-and like I said, I just, I mean, this thing isn’t even out yet. I can’t believe it.
THOMAS: Those are existential questions. Just saw 10 years flash before her eye. [LAUGH]
DAVIS [on behalf of Tessa Smith from Mama’s Geek]: Say-before you know it. Uh, and this is our final question today, for Jeremy. This series spends more time on Clint being a father. Can you talk about getting to explore that side of him?
RENNER: Yeah, it’s-to me, it’s-it’s one of the more important anchors. Like when you brought up Linda and, um, uh, this-the-the badass strong woman anchor for-for Clint. You know, I mean, all these-all these sort of inform me, I think, and inform, um, uh, even audience I think to what Clint’s real superpower is. And it comes in amalgamation of-of all these amazing, very practical, ultimately very palatable and accessible, sort of, you know, whether you want to call it morality, you want to call it this, it’s actionability. All these type of things. And, uh, I-I’ve always thought, you know, look, there’s him being a father. I mean, look, I think any parent, you know, that’s a very involved and amazing parent is-is a superhero in their own right.
Stream “Hawkeye” now on Disney+.
The first two episodes of Hawkeye are streaming right now on Disney+.
And, if your interested in hearing our thoughts, make sure to check out our main man, Kuya P, and Heather Hurt’s review of the first two episodes on the Nerds Rule the World YouTube Channel.
Hawkeye is streaming now on Disney+ starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton, Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, Tony Dalton as Jacques Duquesne and Vera Farmiga as Eleonor Bishop. The series was Directed and Executive Produced by Rhys Thomas along with Executive Producer and President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige.
Earlier this year, NRW’s Kuya P and Glenn Lawrence had the pleasure of speaking with Filmmaker, Deon Taylor (Fatale, Black and Blue) along with Actor/Comedian, Katt Williams as they promoted their latest effort, ‘The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2‘. As fans of Deon’s body of work, we were delighted to see through our interaction that Deon is truly a humble talent and gracious human being and so it was no surprise when the notification came that Deon is being honored by The Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF)!
On Friday, October 8th in Gary, Indiana, Mayor Jerome Prince will proclaim the date as “Deon Taylor Day”, presenting Deon with the Key to the City and announcement of a Fellowship for aspiring young people.
Additional pre-festivities include: the GIBFF will host Deon-A-Thon on Saturday, October 2, featuring an opportunity to binge watch three of 2021 Deon Taylor’s films, “Supremacy” Featuring Danny Glover & Mahershala Ali; “Black and Blue” featuring Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson; along with “The Intruder” featuring Michael Ealy.
The Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF) is Gary’s hometown cultural event that supports community building by bringing audiences and artists together through film. Now in its 11th year, this annual event presents films from independent filmmakers, panel discussions, matinee screenings for middle and high school youth and in-depth chats with filmmakers, industry professionals and local community leaders. The festival is run by a committed core of community volunteers who work year round to curate films and raise money for the annual event.
GIBFF History: There are no working cinemas in Gary, IN. Residents must travel 10-20 miles to surrounding cities to watch first-run films, which don’t often reflect the people of Gary, which is 80% Black.
● The Gary International Black Film Festival was founded by local Gary residents 11 years ago.
● The three-day festival features independent films from the Black diaspora, offering post screening talk backs, panels, workshops for youth and adults, and parties.
● Previous attendees include Ava DuVernay, Robert Townsend, Bill Duke, Ron Simons, Victoria Mahoney, Charles Murray.
● The festival is a place where emerging filmmakers can get their works seen, along with having an opportunity to connect with more established filmmakers.
2021 Festival (October 8, 9 & 10)
● The 2020 festival features over 50 films from the U.S., with international films from 5 countries.
● The festival will run as a ‘hybrid’, featuring both online and exclusive in-person events.
● Deon Taylor is the 2021 celebrity guest host with dozens of films to his credit, several featuring Academy Award winning talent.
● Opening Night – The Woodstock of House – Documentary featuring legendary Chicago House Music DJs “The Chosen Few” directed by Chicago’s own Rodrick Wimberly.
Other Chicago area filmmakers include,
“Requiem for Black Love” directed by Eric Almond
“Chi-Nanigans” directed by Jill Ross
● Saturday Night – Drive – In Movie Night – Featuring “Red Pill” a horror film in the tradition of “Get Out” directed by Tony Award winning Tonya Pinkins.
● Sunday – Awards Ceremony featuring Grammy Award Winning “Sounds of Blackness”.
The 11th Annual GIBFF stays true to its roots as an international diaspora festival featuring feature length and shorts from dozens of countries across the Black diaspora. This content-rich indie film festival brings a host of filmmakers, engaged audiences and lively post screening dialogue all online.
DOZENS OF FILMS PANELS AND LIVE-STREAMED EVENTS ALL AVAILABLE ONLINE
The GIBFF partners and sponsors include: ARRAY, The Legacy Foundation, the Urban League of NWI , Indiana University Northwest Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs.
I had the opportunity to read issue 1 of this new run of Harley Quinn written by writer Tee Franklin and honestly for Harley fans it will be a joy. It picks up right after the show which you can watch on HBOmax streaming to catch up before reading or just dive right in. It starts off at the end of season 2 finale where Harley and Ivy are on the run speeding away from Gordon after the Kite Man Wedding disaster.
I will try to give this review without any spoilers . But as a Harley fan and someone who has read other works by Ms. Franklin like her comic Jook Joint and super lovely Bingo Love I was excited to dive in. Now comics aren’t just great writing alone. The art work and color on the pages make it an enjoyable feast for the eyes as well. The Scenes colors pop and definitely line up with what’s to be expected of Harley’s world and it sparks joy.
This issue is an issue that makes you want to have your local comic shop pull each issue and hold it for you in advance. Or pre order the omnibook. But this run is worth the excitement and the hype. Issue one ends on a little cliff hanger that has me excited to see how the rest of the cast from the show and on the cover play in to Harley and Ivy’s not honeymoon love tour? I mean it’s called the Eat Bang Kill Tour so it’s gotta be filled with adventure and some shenanigans and I can’t wait to get my hands on more!
And outside of my thoughts I had the honor of speaking with the author Tee Franklin and here are her responses to my fangirl questions.
Q:What was the most important thing you wanted to have be a part of the Eat Bang Kill Tour?
Tee: Disabled people. Comics has a history of leaving out marginalized people or portraying them stereotypical, but one thing for sure that’s been missing — despite the past decades of finally including marginalized people — is disabled people.
Now, I don’t know about you, but whenever I leave the house I see disabled people — those with wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks, facial disfigurements, etc — but in comics, it’s as if they don’t really exist outside a few characters. We’re not even in the background, so I decided that since my disabled ass is writing this, I’m going to have disabled people all up in the comic. If you pick up anything with me, you WILL see disabled people…and you’ll deal.
Q:It’s a Harley Quinn comic but outside Harley which other characters in the cast were a joy for you to write? Any least favorites?
Tee:Well, I can’t share who’s all in the cast, but there are some fun characters that I’m enjoying the hell outta writing. With that said, Catwoman tickles me big time, she reminds me of myself 100%. Believe it or not, Gordon’s up there too. I enjoyed writing about this man who totally needs to get laid. LOL!
And…BATMAN! I friggin wrote Batman! Whaaaattttt. I do have one character that I’m absolutely NOT a fan of writing, but no spoilers here!
Q:I love how issue 1 starts off where the show left off and ends at beautiful cliffhanger spot, did you pace your writing that way for every issue?
Tee: I wrote HARLEY QUINN: EAT. BANG! KILL. TOUR like I enjoy tv shows. Leave ‘em on a dangling hook
Q:Would you have any words of wisdom for any other disabled , queer or poc writers coming into their own writing space?
Tee: Don’t take no one’s shit. I know it’s easier said than done, but eff those who have negative shit to say about you. Your disability has absolutely NATHAN to do with you writing. I’ve been told several times that I’m a fluke, that the reason why my writing isn’t “polished” has to do with my “health issues” and I’m beyond confused. Last I checked both of my debut projects — BINGO LOVE and HARLEY QUINN — ended up going viral AND on the bestselling list. Harley Quinn: Eat. BANG! Kill. Tour made it on the Amazon bestselling list within 24 hours. Not one of the multiple disabilities I have stopped me from doing the damn thing. If I would’ve held on to those words, I never would be where I am right now. Everyone’s gonna have a screwed up opinion of you and that’s THEIR issue not yours!
Get out there and tell your stories. Can’t NO ONE tell your story, but YOU, boo!
Q:From Twitter your personality is very honest and as a follower and creative I really appreciate your action of shooting your shot for opportunities, did that plus your works prior like Jook Joint and Bingo Love help make this connection for you writing Harley?
Tee:I am a FIRM believer of “closed mouth don’t get fed” and speaking things into existence. You NEVER know who’s watching. I “shoot my shot” for damn near everything.
winks Hi, Rahul Kohli
Having a few queer comics on my resume absolutely helped as it showcased my writing skills. I never had anything whacky or zany like Harley Quinn, but I certainly pulled it off.
If I could offer any advice for everyone to take, seriously, don’t let that voice in your head stop you from reaching your potential. Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities. Put it out there, apply to whatever gigs, holla (respectfully) at the person you like, etc. Don’t just sit there twiddling your thumbs…go for it!
Q:Definitely enjoyed issue 1 and how realistic for a comic it was, Ivy tackling her own guilt but definitely knowing deep down she has valid feelings for Harley more than KiteMan, which can sometimes be a struggle for bisexual people or those discovering their sexual identity fully, is there more of this type of journey for Ivy and Harley as well?
Tee: Both Harley and Ivy have a ton of trauma with them before finding each other, then they have the trauma that happened during the show.
Harley’s domestic violence, Ivy being killed by her friend’s ex boyfriend, cheating on Kite Man, being left by Kite Man at the proverbial altar and having their sexploits broadcasted to everyone in Gotham. These ladies have been through it and still have to navigate a brand new baby queer relationship.
Harlivy will go through what relationships normally go through, minus yanno, running from Gordo.
There’s a lot of tropes that comes with being bisexual and I wanna address some of them in a tasteful way without being so hurtful to the readers.
Q:What is your biggest hope readers get from this run of Harley and Ivy, besides the really great over all name of the run and the fun?
Tee: I hope that the readers start perhaps processing their own traumas and seeking help from a professional. We’ve never seen these sides of Harley nor Ivy and while I know it might seem “out of the ordinary” for these characters, it doesn’t mean that they don’t process trauma the same. We all have trauma in some way and we all need to get help in some form that’s not relying on a partner.
I honestly hope that this series starts conversations about mental health.
I am really thankful to DC Comics and Ms Tee Franklin for their time and the chance to read the issue in advance as well!
Hardware Season One is now in stores! Head over to your LCS! That’s right; your Local Comic Shop and pick up the greatness with the return of Milestone and Dakota’s favorite armored son, Curtis Metcalf AKA Hardware!
Written by Brandon Thomas and illustrated by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.
Curtis Metcalf was the brightest shining star of Alva Industries, a brilliant scientist mentored by Edwin Alva since childhood…until the failures of Alva technology at the Big Bang disaster threatened to destroy the company, and Alva needed a scapegoat. Now Curtis is on the run from the Dakota police department…but a man as smart—and paranoid—as Curtis takes precautions. With a nearly indestructible suit of armor and remarkable inventions that he never handed over to Alva, Curtis stands determined to do much more than clear his name…he’s going to take the fight back to Alva himself!
Writer Brandon Thomas (Future State: Aquaman, Excellence) is joined by Hardware’s co-creator and Milestone founder Denys Cowan to open a legendary new chapter in the story of the Milestone Universe’s most complicated man! Is a better world on his mind? Or just a world built for him?
Last week, I once again had the extreme pleasure to attend another virtual press conference with the creators over at DC Comics & Milestone (Thanks Michael & Nikole!) The Hardware creative team of Brandon Thomas and Denys Cowan were in attendance to take questions from yours truly along with BlackNerdProblem‘s Omar Holmon, Blerd Without Fear‘s Ernie and CBR‘s Dion Bickham!
After collecting my notes together, I hit up my brother, Glenn Lawrence to discuss the recap! ENJOY!
Our friends over at DC Comics and Milestone also shared with us these wonderful pages from the first issue. So, if you haven’t pick up the title yet, enjoy and then go pick up the issue!
Hardware Season One
Hungry for more Milestone? Check out my previous DC Comics & Milestone Press Conference Coverage with The Nerds of Color!
New Release Wednesday 