"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You must have more than one hustle." - Action Bronson
As a coach, I'm most interested, and inspired, by my clients who use the tools they currently have -- their talent, networks, social media -- to create the opportunities their talents require. About a month ago, brainstorming specific goal-oriented social media/networking strategies with one of my actor clients, Americo "Tuffy" Questell (How to Make It in America, 25th Hour, Bamboozled), we had the bright idea of a Twitter chat with other black male actors, talking about the daily reality of an ambitious actor's life... the myths and pressures of success... the jostling pressures of parenthood and a parent's (normal) desire for their own success... and how, in 2016, the Academy can make so many people feel that their stories are irrelevant. #OscarsSoWhite
Therefore: looking for something smart and fun to do the night before the Oscars? Bueno!
Join actors/filmmakers/producers Tuffy Questell (@Tuffybxnyc), Grizz Chapman (@grizz30rock, "30 Rock," "The Cobbler,"), Craig Mums Grant (@sirmumsila, "Birdman," "Side Effects," "Oz,"), Anthony Hemingway (@shinybootz, "Red Tails," "Changing Lanes," "Treme,"), Joe Holt (@hiramholt, "K-PAX," "Far from Heaven," and "Batman: Arkham City,"), Sean Ringgold (@SeanRinggold, "One Life to Live," "The Smurfs"), and Dondre Whitfield (@DondreWhitfield, "Mistresses," "Cold Case," and "All My Children,") as they talk LIVE on Twitter about what it takes to be working actor of color in Hollywood today.
(Yes, I know it's all men, and no, I don't think it's harder to be a man than a woman, or that men's stories are more important than women's... relax. Actually, I know that life is damn hard for men and women. I know that every human's story is transformative. I know that I have learned much about myself, from the experiences of both men and women. Tuffy and I were interested in what these men would add to the national conversation. I look forward very much to creating a women-only Twitter conversation!)
The men will be talking about their favorite roles, the men and women who have inspired them, the moment they knew that they had to act, their daily lives as actors, advice for other actors... and answering your questions! Feel free to leave your questions in the comments section, or tweet them to me (@kittenmagix), or directly to our talent! Just make sure you use the hashtags #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackActorsTwitterTalk.
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016
Time: 5-6pm ET
Join us this Saturday!