Posted by Tieuel Legacy! aka Shawnre’

Tieuel- Many people try to break into entertainment without doing their research. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there. What type of material do you look toward to maintain your acting chops? Literature? Workshops? DVD special features? Connecting with other actors?

Omari- Theatre, theatre, theatre…it keeps me sharp. If i’m not on stage I’ll jump into a class. Uta Hagen has a nice DVD out and so does Michael Caine. I also watch the greats onscreen and the films that are nominated for Oscars. I want to study those moments, beat to beat, moment to moment. I pay attention to what they are saying when they aren’t speaking. Eyes are extremely important in film acting.

Tieuel- How do you feel about maintaining the same community throughout your filmmaking community as someone like Spike Lee or Tarantino does?

Omari- I have loyalty to a few actors. In my head, I see or hear the character and I’m writing for that actor or playing to the strength of that actor. I’m also a believer of giving new blood a chance because you discover some real gems. I had drinks with a director a few years back and he was singing Anthony Mackie’s praises, and I was like cool. Then I asked him if he liked Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor and he had no idea who they were. I’m sure he does now. I understand the business. You need a name to get money or to get it made but at least give a couple of new faces a chance. Thank God Terry George, who directed Hotel Rwanda stood his ground with Don Cheadle to play the lead. The studios wanted Will Smith or Denzel Washington to play the character. I’m sure they would’ve been dynamite but Cheadle put his foot all up in that piece. City of God was filled with first time or new actors. In Tsotsi, the lead character was a stage actor. It was his first film role and he killed it. He should’ve been nominated. I’m a fan of good acting and I’m loyal to the people who are really doing the work.

Tieuel- Years ago people wouldn’t be very enthused if a person stated that they were going to college for radio/tv/film or theater especially if you weren’t in the entertainment hot spots. Please discuss how you broke into the industry and what keeps you there.

Omari- I was in Kuwait, serving in Desert Storm, and I had a conversation with the universe and God. I said if you bring me back alive, and in one piece, I will follow your guidance. I stepped onstage for the first time in front of an audience and I knew this was where I was suppose to be. I took some classes but my greatest class, once again, was the theatre. I broke into the business doing the work, busting my ass, and training my behind off. I keep myself in this game. If you don’t want to hire me, I’ll write myself a part or I’ll build it with the help of others. It’s like these hip hop artists, if you don’t give them a deal, they’ll sell cd’s out the car. We (actors) have to have that same hustle.

Tieuel- Do you view films done by the major studios and indie films any differently? Does it get tricky knowing that major studios such as MGM or Paramount have created the smaller indie studios which might not represent what independent film was years ago?

Omari- I view them all the same. A good film is a good film and a bad film is a bad film.

Tieuel- When creating stories for the people, do you cater to well known fests such as Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, and others or do you create the work that you would want to see and submit it to as many fests as you can?

Omari- When creating a story, I write whatever comes to the brain or piques my interest. I don’t cater to what I think the festival might like. By doing that, you jeopardize your artistic vision. I research a festival and I apply to the strongest ones. These festivals get pricey so you have to put on your business hat.

Tieuel- As an actor, what do you look for in a director and what are good traits of an “actor’s director”? What skills do you present to your director other than onscreen presence?

Omari- For my first film, I chose a director that understood comedy and my vision. A good actor’s director gives an actor his or her moments and understands the importance of an actor’s preparation for a scene. If you need to break it down, the director might say “whenever you’re ready”. If you have a love scene the director knows to lock down the set. An actor’s director understands the things being said between the lines. I would like to think the skills I bring are: preparation, punctuality, and I understand scheduling. For example, I might get there at 8am and I might not shoot until 2pm. That’s professionalism.

Tieuel- Tell us more about the (Mis) Leading Man concept. Are the ideals in this film scary in any way? Based on true stories?

Omari- The concept is a Hollywood leading man, who is spiraling. He’s self medicating and a person who has lost his way. It’s scary in the human condition way but it’s not a scary film. I can’t give away too much since it’s only 17 minutes long. The story is completely fictional.

Tieuel- Discuss the symbolism of being in a fishbowl as an entertainer. Do you feel that you often have to put on a mask in public while being yourself behind closed doors? Is there a dichotomy there? Do you have an image consultant or do you care about image at all? Does the image change from project to project as an actor?

Omari- Celebrities are constantly under the microscope. They don’t have the everyday freedoms that the average person might have. They gain a lot as celebrities but they also lose a lot, such as the freedom to walk down the street, eat in public, or have road rage etc. Some celebs are able to manage that, but others struggle. I don’t have an image consultant but maybe I need one. Be easy, that was a joke. I care about my image because I have a whole family on my back. I’m careful with the characters I choose because I have a daughter and she’s always watching what I do. I don’t believe the image changes from project to project. If you have a strong sense of self, you can lose yourself in a role, especially in the theatre because you spend time developing a character and it takes time to take that character off.

Tieuel- How much like the characters in this film are the people that you might’ve seen around the industry? Is (Mis) Leading Man like a diary entry for people to hold up a mirror to see themselves?

Omari- I’m not close to anybody on that level of celebrity-hood. I’ve heard stories but we all hear stories. Hopefully, every man or woman can see the film and take something from it. We all need a hug every now and then, and a kind word. This film touches on a subject that affects our community and we need to speak on it.

Tieuel- Is there anything that you’d like to add for people that see the roadblocks and yellowtape before getting into an industry which can deter them.

Omari- Work hard! You get out what you put in. This career choice is not a sprint-it’s a marathon. It’s about longevity. Don’t get in the game trying to be the next Will or Denzel, Halle or Angela, be the next you. I said to Denzel (name drop moment) after Cheadle, Jeffrey Wright, and himself nobody’s bringing it in that 20′s, 30′s age group. I was referring to American actors because those European cats are killing it. Denzel said and I quote, “that’s because muthafuckas come out here and want to be movie stars. Nobody wants to do theatre because they don’t want to do the work”. He’s right.

I thank Morocco Omari for taking the time to speak with us.  When you see the name, stop.  Check out his acting chops and productions. 

~ Tieuel Legacy! aka Shawnre’