Shanola Hampton talks Things Never SaidBy Wilson Morales
September 6, 2013
Coming out to theaters on September 6 is the independent film ‘Things Never Said,’ starring ‘Shameless’ actress Shanola Hampton with Omari Hardwick and Elimu Nelson.
Written and directed by Charles Murray, Hampton plays Kalindra, an aspiring poet in a troubled marriage sparks with a new man (Hardwick) who helps her find her artistic voice.
The story is based on Murray’s mother’s life and for Hampton, the role gives her an opportunity to showcase other sides of her talent we haven’t seen before.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Hampton talks about her character, working with Murray and her two leading men.
What was the attraction to the role?
Shanola Hampton: I was attracted to the script. I loved that this was a universal story and that it was being played by people of color. I love that it wasn’t a fairytale. I wanted to be able to be raw and open and this role allowed me to do that with a woman who has struggled with domestic violence. It’s the story of our writer’s mother, which I didn’t know when I first got the script. I was just attracted to the writing. That added to my appetite of wanting to play this character.
What did you do to get into character?
SH: What I did was open myself up completely. I didn’t put any walls up. I didn’t judge anything and allowed whatever emotion to happen. I was telling a true story of not only the director and writer’s mother, but the story of so many women struggling with this sort of violence. I just went in completely raw and it changed my life.
How much of a fan were you of poetry before and after the film?
SH: I was not a fan of poetry and slam. I am an actress and I don’t anything about poetry. I remember back in the day it was big and HBO had a show on and I watched that; but i was never a huge fan where I would go to poetry slams. Before the film I wasn’t a huge fan, but afterwards, I realized how different each poet is in their voice. It’s not about snapping your fingers at the end. There are different ways of delivering it and that made me really excited and now I’m a fan.
How was working with Charles?
SH: Working with Charles was amazing. We have this very good rapport where he would start a sentence instead of giving me notes and I would finish it. We were in each other’s heads. It was an amazing experience. What’s great about it is the writing is so specific and it doesn’t leave much room for being lost or confused. Charles allowed me to go with what I was feeling. If something didn’t work, we would try it in another way. I connected to the script so much that I found a way to play the role that satisfied him and made him happy and excited.
How was working Omari and Elimu?
SH: What was really great about the shooting process is that I had a week where I shot all the stuff with Elimu and then I had another week where I shot all the stuff with Omari. The worlds of Kalindra were very separate and shooting it with my leading men was very separate. It was a different energy when I was on set with Elimu and then it was a new ness when I was Omari. It was very interesting and it really worked. It’s always nice to be the center of attention. I don’t think there are enough leading ladies on screen. Specifically, I don’t think there are enough leading ladies of color on screen. For this to be a black woman’s story was really, really cool.
What’s the message you want people to walk away with after seeing the film?
SH: I think it’s up to the individual. There are so many stories happening in the film and the journey of just this one woman with the abuse she’s going through, there are so many things to tap into, but it depends where you are in your life. What I would like people to walk away with is that if you lost way and by the end of the day you realize you need to find it again, you need help to that way again. No one in this film has made the “right” choice. There are so many things that happen, but that’s life and the reality of the world we live in. It’s all about choices and you just hope that in certain circumstances, you make the right ones.
How’s ‘Shameless’ going?
SH: We go into production next week for season 4. This has just been a whirlwind and a dream come true. To be able to work with William H. Macy and Joan Cusack has been amazing. It’s a great character to play. The seasons get better and better. I think the third season was absolutely my favorite season. I love that we really don’t have any boundaries and we take so many risks. It makes me excited to go to work.
