What really was the role here? An upcoming project of Steph Green's, a director renowned in her work in television for shows like Watchmen, The Deuce, Ahsoka, Scandal, the L Word and not to mention an Oscar nomination for her short, New Boy, floated to my attention last Fall. But we know how things are, projects are talked about, beautiful ideas are spurned and sometimes they blossom, and sometimes they become the one that's yet to bloom. Well, I tell you what! This one did, and in multiple ways than one.
One afternoon, I got a message saying, hey! So and so is a go...you want to be my assistant, or maybe have a role in said upcoming project. And the response went something like...HA HA, maybe I can do both. And both is what did happen!
So how did it work? This Spring sprung a team to support Steph Green's new project, I was her right hand lady from location scouting through Hollywood, to downtown LA and back up to Beverly Hills. I got the wonderful opportunity to sit in on casting decisions, watch tapes, help with selection for guest roles and background artists alike, and yes, the actor in me was screaming on the inside, I TOO CAN BE THIS PERSON! I PROMISE. But patience, young Jedi. And so I persisted. Near daily meetings, for cinematography, to document the extensive prop list, to cry with creative on budget adjustments and forge on for support in final FinalDraft moments.
And then the week arrived, to shoot. And this wonderful array of artists were pieced together out of the wood work to make the project a go. Our production got a little taste of everything, cold rain (in LA? hold the phone!), filming alongside a peace protest, views from the iconic Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard and more.
On day 4 of 5 came the call sheet with two little words ....Hadiza Hinish under cast and character. Actors, does that feel great, or what? And so I arrived, as talent for the day, but I tell you a secret, being talent after being a member of the crew is the biggest, sweetest gift. It's like all the perks, plus insider perks. PEAK PERKS. I got to sit in MU by the lovely Sydney Hill who bedazzled me as seen below and then hair by the epic Felicia Leatherwood, who gave the world all the beautiful do's of Issa Dee in Insecure.
And above all, a visit from my mother so happened to occur during our shoot and so now every other call is a...."can we watch you yet?" Not yet mom, but I love you too.
Photos by Aaron Scott, myself and China Magno
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