Exclusive: Mack Wilds & Chaley Rose Talk TV One’s Dinner For TwoPosted by Wilson Morales
September 2, 2018
Premiering Sunday, September 2 and airs at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. on TV One is their original film, “Dinner For Two,” starring Mack Wilds (Shots Fired) & Chaley Rose (Nashville).
Written and directed by Orlando Bishop, Dinner For Two details a solution to healing a broken heart. In preparation for his “last supper”, Chris (Tristan ‘Mack’ Wilds) sets the mood by recreating a favorite dish he shared with his once beloved Angela (Chaley Rose). As Chris reflects on great memories over multiple glasses of wine and whiskey, he also mourns the loss of their relationship. To permanently numb the pain, Chris contemplates taking his own life, as Angela refuses to love him back and forgive his downward alcoholic spiral.
Earlier this summer while at the ABFF, Blackfilm.com spoke with Wilds and Rose about their experience working on the film.
What attracted you to the project?
Chaley Rose: Well, I think for both of us, I got an offer to do it and then I read the script.
Mack Wilds: I think before the offer came, my manager said to me, “I just want you to read this.” I was like, “I don’t know. It feels like a set up,” and he said, “Nah. Trust me. Just read it and call me after you do so.” The rest was history.
What is it about this film that will engage audiences to watch it during Labor Day weekend?
Chaley Rose: There are suicides throughout the year but I didn’t know when we shot this how timely it would be and how it’s about someone considering ending his life. It’s a touchy subject, but one that is necessary.
Mack Wilds: It’s a very poignant conversation to have. It’s something that we need to be talking about, especially in our culture. There’s such a stigma on black men to seek out help and to make sure that their mental health is in tack. It’s very important for anyone, especially coming out on Sept. 2 during Labor Day weekend.
When you are tackling this subject and doing the research, how would you say you grew as an actor?
Mack Wilds: Just having those conversations and understanding where your mind can take you and the different places where people think it’s impossible. If you’re not right, if you’re not ok, or if you’re not happy, it really takes a toll on you. I was talking to people and understanding what mental health is and how important it is to be mentally healthy. It was eye opening.
After you finished shooting the film, was it easier to shake off the experience and go about your daily lives?
Chaley Rose: Well, Mack is the one who had to go there and he’s in every scene. I would show up some days and I would be tired after 12 hours or work, but for me, the conversation is draining. It was draining. Then you go home and have more scenes to work on for the next day. There’s a point where we have flashback scenes and you go home happy. It’s interesting. Then, when we’re shooting the present day scenes where I’m begging him and sitting with him as he cries, those are days I go home and tell myself that I’m so tired.
Mack Wilds: Especially being on a tight schedule. We shot this whole thing in 14 days. Being on a tight schedule and literally having to dialing in every single take, it was a lot and definitely draining. There were night where I went home with Chris. It was cathartic. At the end of production, I had to cut my hair off because that was me getting Chris off me.
Trailer
Clip – Chris Cooks Angela’s Favorite
Clip – Chris Tries To Shoot His Shot With Angela
Clip – Things Get Heated Between Chris and Angela
