Urbanworld 2013 Richard Carroll Jr. talks An American in HollywoodBy Wilson Morales
September 21, 2013
Making its World Premiere at the 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City was “An American In Hollywood,” produced by V-Twinz Productions and starring JD Williams and Hassan Johnson, Stephen Hill, Azur-De and Richard Carroll, Jr. Azur-De, and Jessica Rich.
An American In Hollywood is an extraordinary portrayal of a group of young and talented aspiring film artists, struggling to climb the ladder in Hollywood. While faced with challenges and obstacles from the hard-to-crack glass ceiling of the complex film industry, these creative minds find a way to make their voices heard and their visions seen. With a superhero-based concept, this film follows a New York-born Writer/Director, Josiah, who leads his childhood friends to Los Angeles to pursue their artistic goals and dreams. Paul, a Producer/Assistant Director, Angelo, an aspiring actor, and Dorian and Trilok, aspiring Actors/Stand-Up Comedians, all cope with the day-to-day hardships of “making it” in Hollywood.
The film takes the viewer on a personal journey with Josiah and his relationship with a feisty young actress, Ayoka. This young couple both display their shared tribulations in trying to have a career inHollywood, and maintaining a relationship. Driven by ambition, it doesn’t take long for this group of friends to grasp the reality of the commercial system they are up against, and the price of being a “hero” in America.
Blackfilm.com got a chance to speak with Carroll, Jr. who stars in the film.
What role do you play in the film?
Richard Carroll Jr.: I play Josiah, a young urban minority filmmaker who goes to Hollywood trying to make it and break through that glass ceiling. He’s just trying to make his way with his group of friends in the business and he finds out that it’s a little bit more than he expected. It’s harder than he expected, but it’s also him dealing with the challenges.
What was the attraction to doing the film?
RC: Well, it mirrors something that I’ve been going through in my own life as I try to make it as an actor. I’ve had to deal with rejections, bad relationships, and everything that you have to deal with, including bad jobs, lack of money, lack of health care, and other stuff.
How was working with this ensemble of actors? Some are familiar faces while others are newcomers like yourself.
RC: It was good. Everyone was really down to earth. We all got along and we bonded on the set. One of the things about the film is that it doesn’t come across that we are reading lines because we really clicked together and I’m proud to have been involved with this project.
How happy are you that the fis being showcased at Urbanworld?
RC: I’m very happy that the film is here at Urbanworld. I’ve been here before with other projects but this one is special to me because it’s a feature and it’s my first feature. I’ve had a number of shorts here in the past, so this is a great experience and I’m happy.
What’s next?
RC: I have another film that’s in post-production. It’s called ‘Reverse Cowgirl’ and it’s directed by Rod Gailes and we’ll see where that goes.
