Colin on Call

Colin Roach
The Light the Flambeau Interview
with Kam Williams

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Colin Keith Roach migrated to New York City in 1970 before moving on to Los Angeles seven years later. He attended college out West, earning an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering and a graduate degree in Public Administration from California State Dominguez Hills and California State Los Angeles Universities.
In the mid-Eighties, he studied ancient Egyptian history and its related spirituality, authoring numerous articles on the Egyptian philosophy of MAAT, focusing on its application to contemporary life. After recently developing an interest in filmmaking, he wrote a screenplay, “Light the Flambeau,” and produced a very intriguing, professional-quality trailer for it which can be viewed at: http://www.previewreels.com/light_the_flambeau/

By day, he’s the Industrial Engineering Manager of a large fireplace manufacturing company in L.A., though he’s currently co-writing another script called “Downside.” Colin is divorced and has two sons but he is about to remarry soon. Here, he talks about “Light the Flambeau,” which he hopes to turn into a full-length feature. The movie is about a suicidal, 21 year-old college student’s attempt to convince the father he has just met to take him back to their Carribean roots to heal his illness.

KW: Are you related to the late Trinidadian poet, Eric Roach, who is known as the black Yeats?
CR: He was my father.

KW: I was a black literature major, and enjoyed his work. Where did you come up with the idea for Light the Flambeau?
CR: As they say, Kam, fiction usually has some elements of truth to it. My son entered my life when he was 21. To find answers, I simply drifted back through the generations and my experiences from growing up in a family in Tobago that really didn’t want me.

KW: Do you identify with the main character?
CR: There are two main characters and I identify with both of them. I’ll let the audience decide whose story it is.

KW: How would you describe the angst that he’s going through?
CR: When one is battling for survival in an unorthodox way, you either build character if you don’t have it, or else lose your fight. Imagine a 21 year-old propelled by forces he cannot see, and fighting his inherited demons on a journey to save himself. Bloom or doom, human beings teach us something either way.

KW: What genre of film would you consider this picture and what themes will it be exploring?
CR: To me and those who worked on the trailer, read and edited the script, it’s a spiritual melodrama. In Flambeau, people are struggling with the cards they were dealt, and with the consequences of the decisions they made. The results are deeply transformed characters.

KW: What is your prior experience with moviemaking?
CR: None.

KW: Did you study cinema in school?
CR: Just some workshops and classes in screenplay writing.

KW: What audience do you expect this film to find?
CR: We are really going after spiritual communities globally, but specifically, the African-American, Canadian, English, African, Caribbean and Brazilian markets are our bulls-eye targets.

KW: Are you looking for help to turn this trailer into a full-length feature?
CR: Boy are we! Part of our approach is to cast actors from each of the regions I just mentioned. We already have bios and photos from many actors. We have a budget done and would really like our community businesses to participate through our corporation that’s has already been set up.

KW: When did you decide to take a shot at showbiz?
CR: I have lived in Los Angeles since 1977 but I am not employed in that industry. Living here gave me access to training and professionals but this type of project is independent. Hollywood studios make action thrillers and horror movies for 18 to 24 year-old audiences. They will have nothing to do with these types of non-white dramas, and that’s understandable. These stories must be told independently. To be successful, we must take risks and have support from like-minded people across the globe.

KW: What’s the message of the movie?
CR: I don’t want to give away much but I’ll say the story suggests the human capacity to grow and adapt is limitless when we step off the beaten path.

KW: Do you plan to bring back the same cast members from the trailer to be in the movie?
CR: That’s up to the fine production company, Production HQ, and Judy Marcelline who produced it. It’s their call, but I’ll say probably not. I think they would love to talk with Delroy Lindo about playing Noah.

KW: Do you have any interest in perhaps acting in it yourself?
CR: Oh God, none.

KW: Who’s your favorite director?
CR: Mira Nira, the Indian lady who made Monsoon Wedding.

KW: Don’t worry, he’s not a stalker, but Jimmy Bayan needs to know where in L.A. you live?
CR: The San Fernando Valley.

KW: What do you do to unwind?
CR: I am energized by going after Caribbean immigrant stories. I have three log lines in the can. My cousin and I are working on one about a young man who rejects his family’s deeply-held values of hard work and opted for a very different lifestyle. He is on a journey also but in the wrong direction.

KW: It seems like you are on a journey yourself.
CR: Absolutely!

KW: Where to?
CR: That’s the mystery of life. We think we know where we are going, and what we are doing, but do we really?

Tasha’s Turn to Shine

Tasha Smith - The Daddy’s Little Girls Interview
with Kam Williams

Tasha Smith was born one of identical twins on February 28, 1971 in Camden, New Jersey where they were raised by their single-mom, along with a younger sister. She and her clone, Sidra, got an early start in show business, both modeling and performing in community theater.
At the age of 18, the statuesque beauty moved to L.A. where she supported herself by taking assorted odd jobs while trying her hand at stand-up comedy. She made her big screen debut, along with Sidra, in 1994 in Twin Sitters, following that up with supporting roles in such movies as Playas Ball, The Whole Ten Yards, ATL, and You, Me and Dupree.

A versatile talent, Tasha handled guest TV appearances on everything from Nip/Tuck to Girlfriends to Chicago Hope to America’s Next Top Model to The Steve Harvey Show to Girlfriends to The Tyra Banks Show to Boston Common to The Corner, an HBO mini-series. With Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls, she has landed what is likely to prove to be her breakout role as Jennifer, a vindictive woman caught up in a custody battle with her ex-husband over their three daughters.

Away from the set, Tasha is committed to devoting some of her time as a motivational speaker for kids from disadvantaged communities. In addition, she enjoys cooking, rollerblading, working out and travel.

KW: Tell me a little about your character.
TS: I play Jennifer. Jennifer is what I call the devil of the script. Anytime there’s a God, there has to be a devil. And anytime there’s good, there has to be evil. And the evil sometimes is the best! [Laughs] Jennifer is a mom seeking revenge and power, the control that she feels she may have lost. And Monty [the character played by co-star Idris Elba] is going to have to suffer as bad as she can make him suffer. So, I had a lot of fun playing Jennifer. I hope that people hate her, literally. [Laughs again] If they do, then I’ve accomplished my job.

KW: How would you describe Jennifer and Monty’s relationship?
TS: My character loves him, was in love with him. It was just one of those deep-down soulish loves that didn’t work out. And because of whatever reasons it didn’t work out, resentment, anger and bitterness developed, out of hurt. It’s like, ‘If I can’t have you, and if you can’t be happy in my life, I’m going to make your life hell.’ And I think that she still wants Monty, if she could have him, yeah. But it’s not going to happen, so therefore, she has to go far to the left, baby.

KW: How was it working opposite Idris?
TS: Mr. Idris Elba is amazing! He happens to be British, but what’s funny about him is that when he’s speaking in his American dialect, he looks like he’s a brother from the ‘hood. But as soon as he brings out that English thing, I’m like, ‘Woo! You look like you’re from London. Oh my God!’ It’s like everything on him changes. He’s so cool! He’s the coolest. He’s so supportive. He’s so present. He’s just a professional actor. And on top of that he’s funny too. He’s a good guy to hang around. He’s just so unselfish. I loved working with Idris. I hope to work with him again, too, because he’s so amazing.

KW: How about the actress playing your other adversary in the movie, Gabrielle Union?
TS: Number one, Gabrielle is so funny. She is like a goofball. She has such a great personality and brings such great energy to the set.

KW: How was it being directed by Tyler Perry?
TS: He’s just so giving. He gives you an opportunity to create. You can ask, ‘Tyler, are there any notes?’ and he’ll say, ‘Yeah, hit your mark.’ [laughs] Hit your mark. ‘Okay, well I guess that must mean I’m doing something good.’ He just gives you freedom to be loose. He gives you room. And to me, that’s kinda’ cool when the director trusts the actors’ instincts and gives them room to do what they do.

KW: What would you say is the message of this movie.
TS: I feel like this story is going to celebrate fatherhood, I really do. I feel like this is something that we need. We need to see a good father, a father that’s willing to fight for his children, and who’s willing to do whatever he has to do to make it happen. You know how you usually see the mother always trying to get the children, and the mother being the good guy? Well, in this movie, the father is the good guy. And I feel like it’s going to celebrate fatherhood, and make fathers out there want to be fathers, want to fight for their children, want to take care of their children, and want to be in their children’s lives. That’s a story that I just feel we need to hear and that we need to see. It’s so beautiful, because I’ve never seen it, especially in an African-American story.

Thandie Newton: The Norbit Interview

By Kam Williams

Thandiwe Newton was born in London on November 6, 1972 to a mother from Zimbabwe and British father. En route to fame and fortune, the 5’2” cutie pie would remove a “w” and a syllable from her name, which means “beloved.” This is ironic because she later played the title character in the screen adaptation of the Toni Morrison novel “Beloved.”

But Thandie is probably now best known for her work in Crash, where she played a woman violated right in front of her husband by a crude cop during a profile stop. Although she wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar, she won a British Academy Award for that nonpareil performance.

Also on her resume’ are memorable outings in Besieged, The Trouble with Charlie, Mission: Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick, and as Sally Hemmings in Jefferson in Paris. Recently, she appeared opposite Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness. Here, Thandie talks about working opposite Eddie Murphy in Norbit.

KW: What interested in playing Kate?
TN: After all these years, here was something that just pushed things a bit more. I also thought it was an opportunity to really explore character. And despite the fact that in many ways Kate is the straight man of the film, there were still moments of fun and silliness that I could really enjoy. And, to be honest, the main thing I wanted to experience was to be around a craftsman like Eddie, a genius, to be in the presence of someone creating something memorable. And I just knew from reading it that it was going to be memorable.

KW: What’s it like working with Eddie?
TN: You bust out with laughter and there’s romance, and it’s smart, and makes you kind of think about stuff, but not so much so that you’re twisting your brain. Everybody loves Eddie Murphy. Everybody appreciates what he does and wants to see him enjoying what he’s doing. And he’s enjoying what he’s doing and he’s doing something really special. I mean, I didn’t know that this was going to be an opportunity for that, to be around someone creating something special. It’s been a privilege.

KW: How do you generate chemistry with a character like Norbit?
TN: What the character Norbit is putting out there is basic human kindness, and it’s got to be the most attractive, beautiful quality. So, for me as an actress, and a person defining this character, to genuinely feel that Kate would genuinely fall in love with Norbit is so exciting for me actually. Because even though I’m doing this film which relies heavily on suspending your disbelief, and is a fantasy, I always love to find the truth in things. And there is in this, and it’s such a welcome surprise.

KW: What did you think of the rest of the cast?
TN: Cuba Gooding, Jr., I was so excited to be working with him, and to be playing this couple with him, because he brings so much more complexity to it. His comic timing is so good, and he’s such a cool guy. And every single character in the film, no matter how small, is played by someone who just fills it to its maximum. The movie has just drawn really strong quality performers together. And I really feel like it’s a celebration of the work of Eddie Murphy. Everybody says the same thing. We’re all bowing down to a great man, and a great work. I love this film because it seems to bring so many of the qualities that make him great together.

KW: What did you think of the makeup job they did on Eddie?
TN: The makeup is so advanced now that it really is real! So, when Eddie walks on as Rasputia or as Mr. Wong, it’s fascinating.

Let's Get it Together! By L.S.G.

A New Column – “From the Soul of an Outsider”
From The Soul of an Outsider is a new Soul Pitt exclusive column by Lakeda Summes-Giles. This African-American female, originally from Atlanta, talks about Pittsburgh and its community from the perspective of an out-of-towner who has been in the city since 2001 and her analysis of it. Send comments/questions to outsider@thesoulpitt.com

Let's Get it Together!
By L.S.G.

Not only should we get it together, but when we go after prosperity and success as a community and "Let's get it together". I was asked to write an article, that was based on a realistic perspective about the City of Pittsburgh, from an outsider's experience, which I happen to be. We should begin a new challenge for ourselves, let's break the "Willie Lynch" syndrome together ya'll. There is simply not enough cooperation and unity, and not just in this city. But Pittsburgh has got the 'disconnection thing' down pat, and that's pretty bad. How many of us can we find, regularly complaining about an encounter with someone within our community, that has behaved in a fake, inconsistent, or shady fashion? I find that this often sets the social scene within this city. Even in business, is that why the Pittsburgh Black Economic Structure is so unstable. What if a similar crisis occurred like we witnessed with Katrina? Will we be able to help our own community, seeing that the Government has such a slow response, especially when assisting the poor black community in crisis? Well this column is not about the faux pas of the system, but about our community's accountability for itself.

Pittsburgh has the potential to do as well as other largely black populated cities. Me, being an Outsider finds that because of the social disorder that rest within the black community here currently, prevents the true reflection of our potential from manifesting itself. I used to be very social at my arrival into the city, but as I witnessed the dismissal of what good I was bringing to the table, by a certain group of select individuals, and you know who you are, along with the accentuation of negativity surrounding me, openly and subliminally telling me, " we don't want you here outsider, go!" I began to stay in hibernation to draw strength from this rejection. And I did leave here many times, bravely returning because God brought me here, and I love a real challenge. Most say that they are 'gettin money', and all that is cool especially when we share it with each other, but I have mainly encountered only "Individualist", who feel if they make it that is improving the image of our community, but still the poor black underprivileged suffer.

I believe our poverty is due mostly from the lack of knowledge as many wise persons have said, and not because we lack the resources, material things, or money. Do me a favor and increase your awareness by reading the "Willie Lynch Letter", which was regarded highly during the times of slavery, by the slave owners of this country. It helps to begin the challenge that I mention in the start of this column, and thank you, those of you who are brave enough to begin it. It would also be nice if we had a business district here with the show of financial support for the same things we buy in other communities. It would be nice if Pittsburgh's Black Community wouldn't be so competitive against itself, but more supportive toward it's artist, so that there could exist a strong list of industries here, since Pittsburgh is known for being an industrial city. The one thing that I consider a strong attribute to Pittsburgh is that, though it is a vast city; it is also like a small town, because everyone knows one another. That's all good but make way for the outsiders to come in and bless you with their jewels also.

I have been very blessed cause I'm a fighter and I don't give up, and I believe that the negativity will be overcome, in time, with more of a universal mind state. This can be easily be gained by learning the right things that will improve and give new meaning to Life, for everyone. Pittsburgh has been under this negative spiritual cloud for so long, like our community blames and refuses to forgive itself for something, well I'm the messenger brought to shed some sunlight on you and allow a true beautiful reflection to be revealed. We are forgiven of our insecurity, let's stand together in this great light and love each other, cause I swear if you do the research you'll see we just might all be family. Pittsburgh stop the hardcore drug selling, stop the homicidal gun violence, be a strong example the whole world can point at and recognize the greatness of. Be respected by respecting yourself and each other. If you begin something stay until it's finished, to the people starting families or anything positive.

With that being said let's talk about mating and meeting in this city, in our community. What I see is a lot of bitterness between the sexes. I believe in taking things slow, especially since we have AIDS in epidemic proportions here in our community. Love is a process, one which should be encouraged to engage in, especially between man and woman. We need to replenish our seed with black men, who have also been dying with little or fuss being made, within the city. Pittsburgh, see where I coming from, to where we could be going? Stay tuned for more from this outsider and of course "Let's get it together!" L.S.G.

About the Author

Lakeda Summes-Giles is originally from ATL, moved to the 'Burgh in 2001, has a thing for writing. And is also an entrepreneur of the "Truly Natural Self Care Botanicals Systems". Check it out at www.mytrulynatural.com

Send comments/questions to outsider@thesoulpitt.com

Thandie is Dandy

Thandie Newton
The Norbit Interview
with Kam Williams

Thandiwe Newton was born in London on November 6, 1972 to a mother from Zimbabwe
and British father. En route to fame and fortune, the 5’2” cutie pie
would remove a “w” and a syllable from her name, which means “beloved.”
This is ironic because she later played the title character in the screen adaptation
of the Toni Morrison novel “Beloved.”

But Thandie is probably now best known for her work in Crash, where she played
a woman violated right in front of her husband by a crude cop during a profile
stop. Although she wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar, she won a British
Academy Award for that nonpareil performance.

Also on her resume’ are memorable outings in Besieged, The Trouble with
Charlie, Mission: Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick, and as Sally Hemmings
in Jefferson in Paris. Recently, she appeared opposite Will Smith in The Pursuit
of Happyness. Here, Thandie talks about working opposite Eddie Murhphy in Norbit.


KW: What interested in playing Kate?

TN: After all these years, here was something that just pushed things a bit more.
I also thought it was an opportunity to really explore character. And despite
the fact that in many ways Kate is the straight man of the film, there were still
moments of fun and silliness that I could really enjoy. And, to be honest, the
main thing I wanted to experience was to be around a craftsman like Eddie, a genius,
to be in the presence of someone creating something memorable. And I just knew
from reading it that it was going to be memorable.

KW: What’s it like working with Eddie?

TN: You bust out with laughter and there’s romance, and it’s smart,
and makes you kind of think about stuff, but not so much so that you’re
twisting your brain. Everybody loves Eddie Murphy. Everybody appreciates what
he does and wants to see him enjoying what he’s doing. And he’s enjoying
what he’s doing and he’s doing something really special. I mean, I
didn’t know that this was going to be an opportunity for that, to be around
someone creating something special. It’s been a privilege.

KW: How do you generate chemistry with a character like Norbit?

TN: What the character Norbit is putting out there is basic human kindness, and
it’s got to be the most attractive, beautiful quality. So, for me as an
actress, and a person defining this character, to genuinely feel that Kate would
genuinely fall in love with Norbit is so exciting for me actually. Because even
though I’m doing this film which relies heavily on suspending your disbelief,
and is a fantasy, I always love to find the truth in things. And there is in this,
and it’s such a welcome surprise.

KW: What did you think of the rest of the cast?

TN: Cuba Gooding, Jr., I was so excited to be working with him,
and to be playing this couple with him, because he brings so much more complexity
to it. His comic timing is so good, and he’s such a cool guy. And every
single character in the film, no matter how small, is played by someone who just
fills it to its maximum. The movie has just drawn really strong quality performers
together. And I really feel like it’s a celebration of the work of Eddie
Murphy. Everybody says the same thing. We’re all bowing down to a great
man, and a great work. I love this film because it seems to bring so many of the
qualities that make him great together.

KW: What did you think of the makeup job they did on Eddie?

TN: The makeup is so advanced now that it really is real! So, when Eddie walks
on as Rasputia or as Mr. Wong, it’s fascinating.

3 Movie Reviews by D. L. Norris

How exciting-hubby had promised me that we would play catch up on a couple of films this weekend. However in addition to our plan for the weekend, "God Grew Tired us us" http://www.godgrewtiredofus.com/- also screened earlier during the week. What an awesome documentary. This is a story about how three of the many thousands of the young African boys survived 10 years of wandering in the wilderness of Sudan. During this period, these children survived famine,disease,civil war,bandits and even lions. This documentary film shares the story of three of these young Sudanese men as they fly to their new in the United States- Pittsburgh is one of these locations. What a story and a must see documentary film. Kudos goes to our film contact in assisting us to become one of the sponsors for this wonderful and educational documentary screening. Soul Pitt viewers are in-stored for an additional first hand interview regarding this film by one of our author/interviewers, Bonita Penn. Bonita is scheduled to conduct an interview with one or more of the survivors, Panther Bior and Daniel Abul Pach, who presently live in Pittsburgh. There may also be a possibility for interviews with others key individuals who were instrumental in this excellent and inspirational work.

One film that was not on the top of my list was Stomp the Yard www.sonypictures.com/movies/stomptheyard/...Was I ever wrong! This film started out dark and typical, but within (10) minutes into the film has a surprising and refreshing twist! Without sharing to many details, this was a very entertaining college life film about a young brotha who in the eyes of most, should not even in in college. However as the story develops, this young college freshman student encounters a few negative experience and most importantly more positive experiences that changes his attitude and inspires him to change his attitude about himself, his college experience and his future. The storyline was actually well written and drew you into the emotions of several characters with surprisingly a few unexpected turns and twist- I loved it! The "Step" frat competition and practicing moves leading up to the Nationals was awesome. You do not have to be a former dancer or Stepper to appreciate the tight moves. Personally, I found this film to be an inspiration to all young and old alike on what hard work and determination will provide success!

Out of the three films seen this week, "The King of Scotland" www.foxsearchlight.com/lastkingofscotland - was my favorite and truly the most awesome film I've seen in a while. Educational, emotional, amusing, believable, suspenseful and thought provoking are only a few of the adjectives I would use in describing this film. Forest Whitaker is Idi Amin - a true Oscar nomination performance! Now I have always admired Whitaker's work, quiet strengh persona and creative genius. But trust me, Whitaker will expose you to another level of acting excellence. Everyone will come out thinking a little different about the world we live in and even about the dynamics of our political involvement of even today. Please go see this film...I simply do not believe that it took Whitaker winning a Globe Award, SAG Award and a Oscar nomination before I paid attention to it. However, I am so thankful and delighted that we did see it and you will too after going to see it! Enjoy...Corporate Planners