May 2009 | blackfilm.com | NEXT DAY AIR | An Interview with Wood Harris

May 2009

NEXT DAY AIR | An Interview with Wood Harris

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NEXT DAY AIR
An Interview with Wood Harris
By Wilson Morales

May 4, 2009

From appearing in ‘Above The Rim’ with Tupac, to playing football with Denzel Washington in ‘Remember The Titans,’ Wood Harris has played some memorable roles on the big screen. Even when he played Jimi Hendrix in the Showtime film ‘Hendrix,’ he was impressive, but the role that won him international fame and acclaim was that of Avon Barksdale in the HBO highly praised series ‘The Wire.’

Since the show has ended, Harris has done the films, both independent and studio financed, and this week, two of the them, ‘Jazz in the Diamond District,’ and ‘Next Day Air,’ will be released in theaters across the country.

In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Harris talks about both his latest films, appreciating his work on ‘The Wire,’ and his desired projects.

What got you excited to do ‘Next Day Air?’

Wood Harris: Well, that’s another film where I’m one of the associate producers as well. I know all the people in the film from Mos (Def) to Donald to Benny Boon the director. I grew up with Inny Clemons, who produced the film. There’s a lot of chemistry when you are working with people that you have known for a long time. I’ve known Mos Def for 15 years and the same with Donald Faison.

What did you learn from Benny on the film?

Wood Harris: Benny is awesome because Benny is a real filmmaker. Yes, we know that he’s a video director, but he’s also a student of film. Some of these people who make movie and come from the video world are ultimately students of the video world and their aspiration started there. Benny Boom is a filmmaker. He’s flexible but he has decisiveness and he knows what he wants.

Did you think you had any comedic skills when you took the role?

Wood Harris: I know I’m hilarious already. I just didn’t know that it would be captured so well by Benny Boom. Mike (Epps) and I are very funny in the film. He’s acting in such a way that I don’t think people have seen before. His caliber of acting is exposed and he’s a comic actor now. I think before, in working with Ice Cube, may have lead people to think that Mike Epps is only one note, but he has proven that he’s not with all his roles.

What attracted you to ‘Jazz in the Diamond District?’

Wood Harris: I shot that film over a year ago. All of it was done in D.C. That’s what I liked about it. It’s a good capture on D.C outside of politics. You are dealing with the people and I think the Black citizenship of D.C gets overlooked in the capital of the country. It was a labor of love. I love the people I’m working with in the film. I’m one of the producers on the project as well. It’s been a great learning experience try to get a movie out. It’s the same with ‘Next Day Air.’ That film is super special and I’m very fortunate.

What’s your role in the film?
Wood Harris: I play a character named Gabriel Marx that discovers Jazz (Monique Cameron), the female lead of the film. I’m one of those managers who is really your boy. I’m the manager by default. I end up getting involved with Jazz and her sister. Clifton Powell isalso in the film. I’m doing movies that have a good deal of humor; something to laugh at. Not your typical shoot-em-up films. ‘Jazz’ is not a comedy, but it does have some real life situations that are funny.

What other projects do you have lined up?

Wood Harris: I just shot a film called ‘Just Another Day,’ which was directed by Peter Spirer. He’s an Oscar nominated director (Best Documentary, Short Subjects for ‘Blood Ties: The Life and Work of Sally Mann’). We were in Orlando having a ball and the film is music oriented. The film is about two rappers, one up and coming and one at the top of his game and they collide because the manager ends up wanting to deal with both of them. It travels though their lives and my character is called A-Maze and he actually has a conflict with a rival that results in a shooting.

Who else is the film?

Wood Harris: Peter Pablo plays my nemesis and Jamie Hector is also in the film.

‘The Wire’ was a fantastic series that people still love and respect and watch repeats on TV. Do you think you can walk away from ‘Avon?’

Wood Harris: I can’t walk away from that. That’s not realistic. I’m proud of the work I did on that. Every good actor wants to have a varying role. I get more people calling me Wood than Avon, which is always cool.

What film would you love to do?

Wood Harris: I want to do a film adaptation of ‘Ma Rainey’ and I want to play Levee in that. I also have in discussion with some people in remaking ‘The King of Comedy,’ the Jerry Lewis and Robert De Niro film. I’m in the producing game so I’m not always trying to be Denzel (Washington).

Are you looking to work with your brother (actor Steve Harris)?

Wood Harris: We have some things in mind, but me and Steve have to find something.

Why should anyone see ‘Next Day Air’ or ‘Jazz in the Diamond District?’

Wood Harris: You should see both if you are interested in seeing well made films and that are captured well by the directors. You have to be in the lookout for that type of stuff. These two films have energy in them. They are just not movies. They are films.

NEXT DAY AIR OPENS ON MAY 8, 2009

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