Exclusive: Salli Richardson-Whitfield talks Pastor BrownPosted by Wilson Morales
February 15, 2013
Coming out this Saturday, February 16, at 8:00pm ET/PT on Lifetime TV is ‘Pastor Brown,’ which marks the directorial debut from actor Rockmond Dunbar (‘Soul Food,’ ‘Sons of Anarchy’).
Written by Rhonda Baraka, the all-star cast includes Salli Richardson Whitfield, Nicole Ari Parker, Keith David, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Beach, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tasha Smith, Dondre T. Whitfield, Rockmond Dunbar, Ernie Hudson, Monica, and Angie Stone.
More than a decade ago, Jessica “Jesse” Brown (played by Richardson-Whitfield) fled home and family to find purpose in her life. She decides to stay away and support herself through exotic dancing. When her father falls unexpectedly ill, Jesse returns home. But going home forces Jesse to confront unresolved issues of jealousy, abandonment, and rejection by her sister, her teenaged son and others. Jesse’s father’s dying request, that she take over as pastor of the family’s church Mt. Olive Church, sparks a journey of self-discovery through which Jesse finds her purpose in life; and both Jesse and her family work through the universal themes of forgiveness, restoration, redemption and unconditional love.
For Salli Richardson Whitfield, the film represents one of the few times the Chicago native has had a lead role. Most recently, Richardson Whitfield starred in Ava DuVernay‘s independent feature, ‘I Will Follow,’ and just finished her run as Dr. Allison Blake on the SyFy series ‘Eureka.’
Richardson Whitfield is working behind the camera as well, having directed a short film called ‘Grace,’ and helping Dunbar co-produced ‘Pastor Brown.’ She also gets to work with her husband Dondre Whitfield in the film.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Richardson Whitfield talks about her role in the film, serving as one of the produced, being asked to be a celebrity host of the Pan African Film Festival, and her upcoming projects.
What was the attraction to doing ‘Pastor Brown?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: You know, it’s really hard to find a great project, especially as a black woman. When Rockmond called me about this and I read it I thought it was a great opportunity and character arc, and once they brought me on as a producer I just really felt like I could help and add so much to the project. So it was an opportunity to do so many things I’d been wanting to do, and it’s a great inspirational message, this film. It’s really about redemption, and no matter how low your life has gotten you can change and be forgiven.
How would you describe your character?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: She’s a lost soul with a good heart. As many of us do, the world can kind of pull you in the wrong direction. She has a loving family… her sister gives up on her a little bit… but she’s been given another chance and she’s ready to do the right thing. She has a good heart.
How much of a church woman are you?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: I have two young kids, we go to church every Sunday. I grew up in the Baptist church, which is good because you needed that background for this, what the feeling was, how the sermons are. That’s how I grew up.
How is it working with Rockmond as a director, co-producer, and actor?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: He was really wonderful, and it’s so hard when you’re wearing so many hats, it’s so much pressure. I think you see how great a job he did when you see the film. For a directorial debut this is really good, and I’ve worked with people who have been in this for a long time that didn’t do as great of a job.
Was everything you drew from experience helpful for your character?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: The church, definitely. It would have been hard to attack the preaching scenes I did if I didn’t have the base of the rhythms of the church. I also have a small child, so I know what I would feel if I left my child to be raised by someone else.
How was it working with the rest of this very familiar ensemble cast?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: You couldn’t have a better team. We were getting together as a group to make sure that we were running lines and coming up with something we were proud of. Especially in some of those church scenes, the support I got from Tisha, Tasha, and Nicole, I will really always remember. Those were some hard scenes for me and they were so supportive and loving.
You also worked with your husband, how was it working with him?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: It was great! It was a perfect opportunity. We’d actually worked together a few times, and whenever we find a project where I can come to do his or he can come to do mine we always try to do it but it worked perfectly and I just love that we have that on film together.
You did this before you did “I Will Follow.” You’ve been getting a lot of these leading roles lately, how was that for you as an actress?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: Obviously I appreciate it, I’m honored. I’m just at that point in my life where I’m ready for anything that comes. These are things I’ve worked hard for, have earned, and can handle. I’m ready for them to bring ’em on, and I’m so inspired to have good work and good projects.
How much of a struggle is it for black actresses to get leading roles in film projects?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: I’d like to say its gotten better but its extremely hard, especially something good. I’ve been the lead girlfriend in a lot of films, but for you to be the LEAD LEAD, the #1 on the call sheet, there’s not a lot of opportunities for us. That’s why it’s so important the amount of work that black female directors are doing now, and I think those things will change with us in the driver’s seat.
How was it being a co-producer on this particular project?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: When I came on I was able to help get a lot of the cast. A lot of the people I knew, and one of the things I’ve been able to do in my career is people respect me and my work. They know I do good projects, so once I was attached to the film I think it was easier to get other people to come along. I called other people, I definitely called Ernie Hudson, and once I talked to Tisha and Tasha they were like, “Yeah girl, I’m down.” That was a lot of my part, then being in every scene then I just acted. Sometimes the most important thing is getting a good cast.
Early on we see you early in your career pole dancing. Was that you?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: Oh that was me! (laughs) I took strip classes for a few months to get ready.
Just for that scene? Was there more that was cut out of the film?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: Yes.
You’re being honored by the Pan-African Film Festival. How thrilling is it that they’re honoring you for the work that you’ve done so far?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: As life goes on and you do more, and you realize you have been doing this for more than 20-years it’s kind of shocking and an honor, and I’m really excited about hosting this year. Last year I had a short film that I directed, and the same year I had a film I did with Mario Van Peebles that they had in the festival and the year before that I did “I Will Follow,” so its just sort of been a journey with this film festival. It’s really one of the most prestigious black film festivals, it’s been around forever and they do such a wonderful job. It’s always an honor to be on the panels and really help new filmmakers out.
Speaking of short films, any plans to get behind the camera and do another one?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: Well I just directed a pilot for Mekhi Phifer and my husband. I just directed that for them and I’m editing it now. There’s a film I’m producing that I want to direct that I’m getting money for, so I’m not done. I love to direct, it’s really what I want to move into. You’ll definitely be seeing more stuff from me.
When you think about how long it took to get this film onto the screen, what’s the issue in trying to get it out there? Is it a studio issue?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: This particular film had just a little bit of drama. That’s not a normal thing for a film not to be released this long, especially one that really is a great film. It had every component to be sold, it would have been. There were just some issues. Normally if you have a good product and a good cast you can find distribution. There are companies putting out independent black films out on their own without using the studios to do it. There are many different avenues for getting films out.
With “Pastor Brown” what makes this different from other gospel films that show a lost soul coming home?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: It’s really not just about the church. Even though it’s very faith-based, you don’t have to be someone who goes to church to enjoy the film. You don’t have to be Christian or Baptist to enjoy the film, it’s about this woman and her journey and struggles with her family within the background of the church. I think that is what makes it different and will be appealing for everyone, that’s why this was a film that Lifetime liked. It didn’t just speak to one demographic of people.
There was a lot of buzz when you appeared on “Newroom.” Any chance of you coming back?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: Well maybe now that I have time. It was hard to get back, unfortunately I was shooting other things. It was an honor to be working with Aaron Sorkin, it was definitely a different feel on that show. I want to do quality good work, and you can’t get much better than that.
What happened to “The Secret Lives of Women?” Was it just a pilot?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: We just shot the pilot. It was one of those things, every year people shoot a bunch of pilots during pilot season and you see if it gets picked up. I’ll just find another TV show to do and just move on. Whenever you do a pilot its always a crapshoot, so that’s really what that was, but I have a wonderful relationship with Lifetime and there’s some other things I’m trying to do over there. They’ve been really great with me.
What do you have coming up next?
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: I just finished this film with Robert Townsend about life during the holidays. I’m not sure when its coming out but we just finished shooting it two weeks ago. Then I’m producing a film I want to direct, so I’m out getting money to do that. That’s what I got going on.
What’s a good reason to watch “Pastor Brown?”
RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD: It’s just a great film. Don’t worry, you’re not going to be hit over the head with messages, but you’re gonna see a great film with some great performances!
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