Behind The Real Podcast
By Aaron Devon King
Behind The Real PodcastMay 29, 2020
Freddie Basnight
In this episode, Freddie talks about carving your own path in the industry, working on American Horror Story, and how to raise money to support your production. Listen now to get your weekly dose of Behind The Real!
Jimmy Walker
Jimmy tells us about his time at the Karamu House in Ohio, working with actors such as Michael Jai White and Will Smith, playing a cartoon character, what your work ethic should be like on the set, and what is next on his bucket list.
Monica Davis
Monica shares with us her experience working on the BET network shows, the challenges of being a single mom while pursuing her acting career, and how use of a vision board can really help you accomplish your goals and bring your dreams into fruition. Get ready for an episode full of inspiration and positivity!!
Andrea Ward
Andrea Ward shares her story as a survivor of domestic violence, her film "Deception Streets", what she learned from her great aunt, "Billie Holiday". All this and more on episode 5 of "Behind The Real"!
@behindtherealshow , #behindthereal
Barbara Morrison
A legend in the Jazz world; the late Barbara Morrison gives us a glimpse into her world. From her connections to giants such as Dizzie Gillespie, Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder, to lessons her father taught her, to using her theater to channel her music or to mentor others in the art, Barbara navigates us thru a most beautiful journey. The world knew her as a jazz singer but most everyone that knew her loved her dearly. She was a bright light shining and lighting up the world with her talent and beautiful spirit. May she rest in heaven. She will be greatly missed.
Cashmere Jasmine
Go behind the reel with Cashmere Jasmine as she talks about her Sundance film, "Oreo", directing a Disney short, and how living with a life-changing disability helped to shape her amazing journey!
Paul Archer
Paul Archer talks about his role on Friday Night Lights, working with Morris Chestnut, and surviving the industry as a christian man.
Shawn Carter Peterson
Episode 89: “ The Phenomenal Ernest Harden Jr”
Episode 88: “The Confessions Of Joe Hulk McQueen”
Episode 87: “Self-Love with Jenifer Rivera”
Episode 86: “Part 2 of The Story Of Virgil Carter”
Episode 85: “The Story Of Virgil Carter Part 1”
Episode 84: “The Journey through Jungle Alley with Ebony P. Jones”
Episode 83: “The Warrior Culture Combat Of Ed Wedding”
Episode 82: “The Journey Of Marisha Legan-Johnson”
Episode 81: “The Journey of Robert Parham”
Episode 80: “The Powers Of Pain”
Episode 79: “Trinika Mechelle Jones”
Episode 78: Press On Through With Shannon Echols LaVise
Episode 77: “The New Life Of Choice Skinner”
A sample of his additional acting work includes an episode of "The Shield", the prestigious television show “Lost” (in which he performed a stunt), the film "Transylmainia" and most recent “Free Samples” starring Jessie Eisenburg and Jason Ritter
With the birth of his film company Darkan Entertainment, Choice’s influence as a film director can be seen in the award winning dramatic short film “Brotherly Love”, and webisode “The One Percent”. He also won Oscar award winning actress Octavia Spencer’s Facebook Short Film Competition with the short “A Second Thought” His production partnership with Vincenzo Productions owned and operated by writer producer Tony Germinario birthed the opportunity for him to direct his first full length feature film “Wingman, Inc.”
Recently, Choice starred in an episode of the CW’s television show “All American”, is currently in post‐production putting the final touches on his second feature film, a Christian drama entitled “Keep The Faith” and is in post‐production of his third feature film a romantic dramedy “A New Life”.
Episode 76: “Bernadette & Vanessa Zimmerman” (Exclusive) Web-Series Love @ First Sight
Episode 75: “Matthew Tarricone & Giovana Silvia” (Exclusive) Web-Series Love @ First Sight
Episode 74: Ron Gonzales-Trujillo (Exclusive) Web-Series “Love @ First Sight.
Episode 73: “Keeping It Real with Hope Flood”
Episode 72: “ The Story Of Judith E. Taranto
Episode 71: “ Andre Marcellous”
Episode 70: “ The Art Of Yoel Aynalem”
Episode 69: “The Filmmaker Jonathan Latona”
Episode 68: “The Best Is Yet To Come The Journey of Vincent M. Ward”
Episode 67: “The Vision Of Chantel Deniese”
Episode 66: Intro to Olusheyi ( God has done this)
Episode 65: “The Musical Diversity Of Mr. Eric Butler”
Eric Butler brings a wealth of musical diversity and experience to every project he gets involved with. Originally Eric hails from East Orange, New Jersey, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. He played in the New Jersey All-State Orchestra holding the 1st-Chair/Principal Trumpet position as well as being a member of the New Jersey All-State Chorus, judged as the top tenor voice in the state and awarded the position of section leader in a 500-voice choir.
Attending Boston, Massachusetts’ prestigious Berklee College of Music with a major in arranging, composition, and orchestration. He performed as lead vocalist for the Annual Music Educators of Massachusetts Conference, arranging and orchestrating his own compositions, and receiving recognition in the world-renowned Down Beat (the jazz magazine) for his exciting performances.
He composed, orchestrated, and produced the themes and underscored music for the films: The Club, starring Tommy Ford; Art and Atoms, Getty Musem documentary; the orchestral score inclusive of sound design for The Gifted, starring Dick Anthony Williams; NBC-TV-syndicated series: Images and Realities’ episodes: African American Men, hosted by Louis Gossett Jr.; The African American Family, hosted by Danny Glover and Esther Rolle; and African American Women, hosted by Vanessa Williams, Queen Latifah, and poet/author Maya Angelou, He composed the theme for the weekly TV series, ABF–America’s Black Forum, hosted by Julian Bond.
His compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations have contributed to The Tonight Show, hosted by Johnny Carson; Lou Rawls–UNCF Parade of Stars, The 1992 U.S. Olympic Festival, and the TV series Fame. Additionally, he was responsible for the acclaimed dance, vocal and choral arrangements and orchestrations for The Martin Luther King- Kennedy Center Special production number, For All We Know medley, choreographed by Dream Girls/Michael Jackson‘s choreographer, Michael Peters, with a featured performance by Michael Peters and Fame/Academy Awards’ choreographer, Debbie Allen.
Eric has written choir arrangements for Pattie Labelle on the Frank Sinatra TV special, Sinatra–80 Years My Way and choir arrangements for the Doobie Brothers’ tour. Additional orchestrations for CDs include: The Road To El Dorado by Elton John for Dreamworks’ animation feature film and soundtrack of the same title, plus The Young Americans, produced by Quincy Jones, and Luis Miguel’s 2000 CD on Lion’s Records.
Episode 64: “Brownsuede’s number one Lawyer Chris Martin”
Episode 63: “The Sensational Joan Moten”
As a devoted mother, grandmother and friend, Joan utterly shocked those who've known her best, when her adventurous spirit relocated her to Los Angeles, where she followed in her youngest sons footsteps into the acting industry. A new beginning that Joan has since embraced with passion, fortitude and commitment.
Under the tutelage of one of the most recognized acting coaches nationally, the multi award winning, Choice Skinner, Joan, is vastly becoming a force to be reckoned with, in the genres of stage and film. Noted for her seamless delivery in some of the most tender notations on stage, to her electrifying, show stopping performances on film, Joan is undeniably making her mark, in Hollywood and beyond.
Her earlier to most recent works
Include:
Stage Productions:
-White Nights - Black Paradise
-Same Stranger
-Maggie (One Woman Show)
Films:
Black Lightning - Tobias Revenge
Once Upon A Lifetime
Right Where You Need To Be
Maggie (Short Film)
A New Life
Producer credits:
Associate Producer "Maggie" (Short film)
Episode 62: Intro to Hari Williams (Unpacked)
His 2017 lead performance in the in the Road Theater’s production of “Little Children Dream of God” was awarded ‘Star Making Performance’ by Stage Scene LA. His recent TV appearances include guest stars on the “For the Love of Jason” on UMC and Bounce TV comedies “In the Cut” and “Family Time” along with Freeform’s “Famous in Love” and Netflix’s “Drug Lords.” His lead role in the short film drama “Mid City Blue” earned HBO Best Narrative Short at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and the engaging romantic comedy, “Stuck” has won audience awards at film festivals across the country including Best Actor at the Shreveport Urban Film Festival. He has written webseries, shorts, feature films, and TV series. One of the most notable being his historical action drama “Unconquered” that tells the heroic true story of the Black Seminoles of Florida; it was a Quarterfinalist in the 2019 Academy Nicchols Screenwriting competition. He is the creator of the sketch comedy, discussion series “Unpacked,” a combination of ‘Chappelle’s Show’ and ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’, the show uses satire to engage around pressing social issues. Unpacked premiered this past summer and is currently preparing for it’s upcoming season. You can follow @HariWilliams on social media to keep up with his creative journey. We learn about all of this and more on “Behind The Real”.
Episode 61: “The Spencer Letters”
Episode 60: “The Greetings Of Parnell Damone”
Episode 59: “Intro To Zay Zayy”
Episode 58: “ The Journey of the Profound Keith Burke”
Episode 57: “The Tales Of Sakari Milan”
Prior to writing historical children’s literature, Sakari obtained her B.A.- May 2020 in Global Studies and Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was involved in student government and The Black Student Movement which is devoted to improving cultural diversity, inclusion and equity on campus. With the intent to move to Washington DC to work in government and obtain her Masters, Sakari like many others was struck with a major turn of events – the widespread COVID 19 pandemic and racial tension. During this tumultuous time, while in lock down, she was able to complete her first literary work and introduce The Tales of Camelia B. to the world. She was inspired to write the series due to the lack of black representation in her studies throughout her crucial developmental ages and beyond. She is valiant in her efforts to awaken “the system” and rewrite history one book at a time.
A passionate community servant with the ability to motivate and inspire others, Sakari is a voice for change and believes that education is key. Throughout her college years, she worked diligently focusing on educating, advocating and empowering young people. Globally, she taught early stages of literary education to children in Spain and the Dominican Republic. Working in a myriad of ways with refugee outreach organizations, the school system, and educational workshops, Sakari seeks to promote values of social justice, equity, sustainability and academic freedom. As a scholar, researcher and lifelong learner, she hopes to be able to improve racial solidarity and cultural tolerance through her writings.
She is a lover of naps, fuzzy socks and a warm cup of tea – a perfect writer’s nook. When she is not writing, Sakari spends most of her time reading, traveling, and spending quality time at home with her family and her favorite pooches California (a Boxer) and Rio De Janeiro (a Maltipoo). Milan enjoys writing sweet, fun, action-packed poignant children’s stories that teach, impact and uplift each reader. Her characters are clever fearless, adventurous and seekers of the truth. Like her characters, she is on a never-ending quest to travel back in time uncovering hidden deleted and altered facts in black history.
The Tales of Camelia B. is a guided journey that aims to inspire and empower children of all backgrounds focusing on K- 5. She hopes her books will teach awareness, cultural tolerance, reflection, pride and are a call to action. Her hope is to one day be amongst the many scholars who have made a great change in academia. As a new author during a crucial moment in history where division is prevailing, she hopes that “The Tales of Camelia B. will encourage our youth to claim the identities and cultural legacies that shape who they are.” She acknowledges inequality is deeply entrenched into the “system” but believes education is the key. She says, “knowing the past, opens the door to the future and every school in America should have The Tales of Camelia B. for learning”. Milan understands that she will face challenges uncovering the HIDDEN TRUTHS in history, although often times uncomfortable to hear, she believes it is necessary for change.
Keep in touch with Sakari via the web and follow her journey at:
Website: www. www.sakarimilan.com
www.facebook.com/sakarimilan/
www.instagram.com/sakarimilan/
twitter.com/sakari_milan
www.youtube.com/channel/UCVATy7PJ9R87HtVgNos9D1w/featured
Books Available for sale at Sakarimilan.com/books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Kobo, Indie Bound and other global retailers.
Episode 56: “Intro to Compton’s own Circle Marsh”
Episode 55: “The Belser-Verse Of JaDarrel Belser”
Episode 54: “The Dedication & Testimony of Imari Reynolds”
Imari quickly got involved in various sports, programs, and clubs at Stevenson; with his incessant need to grow and learn Imari wanted to try something new, soon Imari soon joined a local church in Detroit as a youth member. He began playing the drums, singing in the choir, and working with the soundboard staff doing whatever his hands and talents found to do. Imari would soon find his niche when he was asked to sign up for the church Christmas play; after participating in several plays he grew to love performing, Imari has been both a lead and supporting actor in these productions and was very well applauded after each performance.
Imari has since dedicated most of his time to learning the craft. As of today, Imari have been in over 30+ film projects. Imari truly expects big things for the future and certainly believes this is only the beginning! We learn about all this and more on “Behind The Real”.
imarigreynolds.webs.com/
voyageatl.com/interview/meet-imari-reynolds-na-atlanta/
youtu.be/qVPflKC-0lc
Episode 53: “Deja Dee Dream It First”
Déjà Dee!
From impersonating Diana Ross with her blue bathrobe as her long locs to the Emmy Awarding winning show BANSHEE; Déjà Dee was destined to entertain!
Déjà had an incredibly successful radio career but after 17 years she left the mic to pursue her Dream full-time in LA. Five months later Déjà Dee landed her first series!
In 2012 to 2015, Déjà Dee spent 3 amazing season’s as the fun, loving and “take care of business” Alma on the Cinemax crime drama BANSHEE. During that time Déjà also recurred on FOX'S hit drama "SLEEPY HOLLOW,” Guest Stared on CBS’s THE INSPECTORS, and appeared on CBS’s CRIMINAL MINDS. However, with the majority of her auditions and bookings coming from the Southeast it was time to make another move. Déjà Dee relocated to Atlanta in the fall of 2015 and in the first 2 weeks she was cast in ABC’s NASHVILLE and her first comedy series recurring as the DEA Agent in TBS’ THE DETOUR from the writers of THE DAILY SHOW. And the opportunities kept coming from recurring Guest Star credits for QUEEN SUGAR on OWN as Nova’s grounded best friend, Sundance AMC's HAP AND LEONARD with Michael K Williams, and Lee Daniels’ musical drama STAR with Queen Latifah.
This hard working, passionate and versatile actress will be everywhere this year with films like RICHARD JEWELL directed by the Legendary Clint Eastwood, FREAKY FRIDAY THE 13th with Vince Vaughn to Guest Starring in PARAMOUNT’S PARADISE LOST, and Steven Spielberg’s AMAZING STORIES on APPLE TV+ with Nick Nolte and Josh Hartnett. Plus, later this year in what is sure to be a powerful and conversation catalyst from Oscar Winning Director Barry Jenkins’ UNDERGROUND RAILROAD on AMAZON PRIME as the wise and charismatic mother Sybil. When Déjà Dee is not on set she enjoys helping other actors as an acting coach, and taking long rides on the trail as a novice cyclist. Under her company DREAM IT FIRST PRODUCTIONS, LLC, Déjà Dee also produces The Working Actor Mentorship Program.
Déjà Dee is represented by Vanessa Adams at Sol Talent in the Southeast and Theo Caesar at 90210 Talent in LA. You can follow Déjà on Instagram @dejadeetv.