Spoken Reasons Talks The HeatBy Wilson Morales
June 26, 2013
Coming out this week is the comedy-action film, The Heat, starring Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.
Directed by Paul Feig (‘Bridesmaids’), uptight and straight-laced, FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) is a methodical investigator with a reputation for excellence–and hyper-arrogance. Shannon Mullins (McCarthy), one of Boston P.D.’s “finest,” is foul-mouthed and has a very short fuse, and uses her gut instinct and street smarts to catch the most elusive criminals. Neither has ever had a partner, or a friend for that matter. When these two wildly incompatible law officers join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies.
Among the actors featured in film as well as in the trailer is newcomer Spoken Reasons, who is the creator and star of two successful YouTube channels that feature original stand-up comedy, sketches, monologues, music videos and more. Together, both channels have currently reached over 202 million views and amassed over 1.2 million subscribers.
The Actor/Writer/Musician/Comedian/Poet grew up in Bradenton, Florida, where he first discovered his passion for sharing his thoughts on stage by witnessing spoken word poetry online. He penned the name Spoken Reasons for himself because he realized the true power of words.
Blackfilm.com exclusively spoke with Reasons as he talked about his first big film and working with Feig and McCarthy.
How would you describe the character that you play?
Spoken Reasons: If you ever saw the film ‘Blue Streak’ in the position that Dave Chappelle played, that’s pretty much what I’m doing. I’m a younger guy. I’m the guy in the street who wants to be cool and sell drugs, but I’m way smarter that what I am and I’m very comical. The cops never take me seriously. That’s my character. I’m more of a goofball who doesn’t belong in the position that he’s in.
How did the role come to you?
SR: I had gone to my agent after I had signed with them. When I got home, they sent me my first script through email and it was this film. I read the script. I loved it. They told me to put myself on tape. I didn’t want to put myself on tape. I told them that I was going to overnight myself. I paid for a round trip ticket, from Orlando to LA. I got an acting coach in one day and the next day, I walked into the audition and I booked the role. That’s exactly how it happened and it was on my first time auditioning.
Having been successful with your own comedy, sketches, monologues, music videos and more, what did director Paul Feig want you to bring to this film? Did he let you be you or were you just working from the script?
SR: He let me be myself. When you are reading the script along with Paul, he wants you to be yourself. He wants you to improve. He wants you to bring things to the table that the writer didn’t even think of and that’s your job as an actor/ actress. He was very free and open and always would tell you what to do. Coming into the first scene, he would tell you to stick to the script. On the second take, he would tell you to improve. On the third take, he would throw something at you. You never know which Paul you will get, but it was pretty much about being ready and staying prepared.
How was working with Melissa McCarthy?
SR: Melissa is amazing. If she wasn’t an actress, she would be a comedian. That’s what I said about Paul as well. Paul has that same type of ability. Melissa is that great to the point that I don’t have any words to say because she’s that good at what she is. In working with her, she would bring the best out of you. In our scenes together, there were times when we would do our stunts and we would go so far from the script and make up our own stuff because it was funny and she brought the best out of me. It made the movie much better that anyone could imagine. She’s great.
A lot of people know that you in the film because they see you in the trailer. How does it feel to be part of the national campaign for the film?
SR: It’s crazy. It’s something that I have to get used to. I’m warming up to it. I’m a new face. It’s mindblowing. I’m a guy coming from Youtube to a major film with all of this on the line. To be in a major film and be on TV and people actually see me in the trailer is just unbelievable.
Is this something you want to continue in, or go back to doing more Youtube videos?
SR: I’m going to do both, sticking to the internet and to the movies. I have more movies coming out. I’m actually writing right now. That’s something that I’m not going to give up or stop. Acting is something that I’m always going to pursue. By heart, I’m just a natural writer and actor. It’s never going to stop. It’s something that I want to continue to do for a long time.
Who are some of the comedians that you continue to watch on the big screen?
SR: Will Smith and Jamie Foxx. I like the route that Jamie Foxx is going. I love Will. I grew up on him, but I’m more relatable to Jamie because I actually play the piano and I sing as well. As far as a better actor, it’s Will.
You have an album coming out soon. Is a music album or a comedy album?
SR: It’s alternative. It’s mostly comedy, but not goofball comedy. I always tell people that when I’m doing comedy, it’s with a purpose. It’s not something that I’m throwing out there just to do whatever. I’m actually telling people how I’m feeling at the time; like my transition of moving from Orlando to LA and what I have experienced throughout those six months. That’s what the album is going to be about.
What’s a good reason to see The Heat?
SR: Watch it because it has two hot chicks in the movie with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy and I’m in it. Marlon Wayans is in it and Paul Feig directed it and everyone loved Bridesmaids. This is going to be five times bigger and it’s going to blow up the summer.
