May 2009 | blackfilm.com | NEXT DAY AIR | An Interview with Director Benny Boom

May 2009

NEXT DAY AIR | An Interview with Director Benny Boom

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NEXT DAY AIR
An Interview with Director Benny Boom
By Wilson Morales

May 4, 2009

Making his directorial debut this week with 'Next Day Air' and following in the footsteps of former music video director F. Gary Gray and his mentor Hype Williams is Benny Boom.

'Next Day Air,' stars Faison as a hapless delivery man who finds himself at the center of a drug deal gone horribly wrong.

Also starring in the film are stars Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Mos Def, Debbie Allen and Lauren London.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Boom talked about landing this project and getting ready for a new phase in his career.

What's the premise of the film?

Benny Boom: The film comes out May 8, and it's an action-comedy that stars Mike Epps, Donald Faison, Wood Harris, Mos Def and Lauren London. The film is set in Philadelphia and a slacker, played by Faison, works for a Next Day Air delivery service, which is sort of like Fed Ex and UPS. He accidentally takes a delivery to the wrong door and inside it happens to be 10 kilos of cocaine. The film takes off from there.

How did you get attached to the project?

BB: I got it from a friend of mine who knew the producer. He wanted me to read the script, because he thought it would be good for my first movie. I read it and immediately fell in love with it. It had the grit that I wanted to show and some humor, and it was set in Philadelphia, which is my hometown.

You've done a boatload of music videos, so how does it feel to have done a feature film?

BB: We shot this film in 20 days. I had to have the film edited in my head already and know what performance I needed from the actors to tell the story properly. I've actually been training for this in film school and in music videos as well.

What makes 'Next Day Air' different from other comedies we have seen in the past?

BB: I think it's different because this is the first time that I'm doing it, and, second, this movie is really a dark movie in terms of the storyline, with drugs involved and there's a shootout that happens in the film and all sorts of mayhem. It's much in the same vein of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie's films.

Did you work with your screenwriter, Blair Cobbs, with the script to tailor it to your style of directing?

BB: When I first read it, that's what attracted me to it. It was something I could add my style to. After I spoke to him and we reconstructed some things from the script, the basis and feel of it still come through in the film, but I was able to put my touches on it and add that extra spice to make it right.

How was working with the Mike Epps, Donald Faison and Wood Harris?

BB: They were very good. Mike Epps and Wood Harris brought in different sets of energy to the film. Wood is an educated actor, went to film school, and spent a lot of time honing his craft, and Mike is just a natural comedian and a natural actor, so to get a mix of those two was really good. Donald Faison came on, and with him being on television for so long, he was always on point. He was always ready to go. I was blessed to have several types of actors on this film. I was able to study what they do and hopefully use that as I move further along in my career.

Are you ready for Hollywood?

BB: I've been ready. Hollywood better get ready for me. On May 8th, they will understand that I'm here and that I'm here to stay.

Why should anyone see 'Next Day Air'?

BB: It's a film that you haven't experienced before. Not to downplay 'Star Trek,' which we open up against, and I'm a Trekkie, but this is the eighth version of the franchise that's coming out. That's a huge budgeted film with special effects, and we have a movie that is just as strong if not stronger that we did for $3 million and no special effects. It's something that you need to see and check out.

NEXT DAY AIR OPENS ON MAY 8, 2009

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