Cleopatra Coleman talks Step Up: Revolution and set to play porn star legend Vanessa Del RioBy Wilson Morales
July 25, 2012
Coming out this week is the ultra dance film, ‘Step Up: Revolution,’ the fourth installment in the Step Up franchise.
Directed by Scott Speer, the film stars Ryan Guzman, Kathryn McCormick, Misha Gabriel, Peter Gallagher, Cleopatra Coleman, and Stephen „tWitch” Boss.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Miami. Emily, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer, but soon falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge flash mobs. The crew, called the MOB, strives to win a contest for a major sponsorship opportunity, but soon Emily’s father threatens to develop the MOB’s historic neighborhood and displace thousands of people. Emily must band together with Sean and the MOB to turn their performance mobs into protest mobs, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.
For Coleman, an Australian actress whose credits includes many TV programs such as Blue Heelers, Holly’s Heroes, Wicked Science and season 3 of City Homicide, this film represents her first major studio film.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Coleman as she talked about the film, becoming real DJ afterwards, and her upcoming project, playing the legendary porn star Vanessa Del Rio.
What’s your role in the film?
Cleopatra Coleman: I play Penelope, a DJ who’s responsible for creating all the music for the MOB.
Is this your big studio film?
CC: Yes. I had been working in Australia on TV shows since I was 15 years old and I moved to Los Angeles about a year ago and this is my first big American production.
How did the role come about for you? How was the audition process?
CC: It was not the most rigorous. I’ve had worst, but it was a couple of rounds. I went in a couple of times and met with casting directors, studio producers, and the director. They held a dance audition for everybody and I’m an ex-dancer so it went really well; but then they decided my character was not going to dance in the film. She was just going to dj.
What sort of background does Penelope besides being a DJ?
CC: Well, her story is that she’s Australian, like myself. She’s a lot like me, especially costume-wise. She lives in Miami and is Miami’s hottest DJ.
A lot about the franchise centers on the dancing. Were you disappointed that Penelope doesn’t do it in the film?
CC: Not really. Ballet was my main thing and it was something that I used to do and I’m too injured to do now. I had to quit dancing and acting is my main focus, and it has been for some years now.
Since filming wrapped, you’ve actually become a real DJ. How’s that working out?
CC: It’s great. It’s another creative thing and it’s another outlet for me and it’s a lot of fun. A lot of my friends are DJs so I’ve been around it a lot and my dad’s a musician. Being a dancer, it’s all about counts and edits and timing and it feels natural to be in.
Have you received a lot of gigs?
CC: I’m starting to. I had a residency in Los Angeles for a couple of months and she’s been good. I also started an endorsement deal with Stanton, which is one of premiere DJ equipment companies and I’ll be going to the DJ Expo in Atlantic City in August to play at the Satin Stage. I recently play a show in Los Angeles with apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas. It’s been really good and hopefully it will get better.
What sort of music do you play?
CC: I like to play house and electro music. I like to throw a little bit of other things, like some hip-hop or new genres. But mostly electronic based music; stuff that make people dance.
What is it about Step Up that keeps the franchise going?
CC: I think it’s a combination of things. The choreography is always really hot and that’s important. I don’t know all the cast from the previous films, but the cast on this film worked really hard and I also think the music on this film will stand out. The direction is hot and fast and the edits are quick.
What other roles are you looking at?
CC: I like stuff with edge. I come from a theater background and I take myself very seriously when it comes to acting, so I’ll take anything that gives me a challenge. I want to do anything that’s fun and where I can make the character real.
What’s next?
CC: I’m playing in an independent film about an adult film star from the 1970s (Vanessa Del Rio) who is a real person and still around. That will start shooting in September. It’s a serious role and will require a lot of work. The director is Thomas Mignone.
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