FALL EDITION NOV 2018
JOJO “A NEW LIFE, NEW BEGINNINGS”
#52 MRDREAMZMAG.COM
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR “THE NEW ERA FOR A NEW GENERATION OF DREAMERS” Mr.Dreamz Magazine has established its brand as “The New Era For A New Generation Of Dreamers” which is available online, on mobiles and in print. The publication aims at giving artists & creators a voice that can be heard across all over the globe. Working from Paris to Miami and Montreal, the magazine showcases tomorrow’s mainstream stars.
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CONTENT & FEATURES
Editor in chief Chris De Neptune Contributing writers Joha Brown Winnie MC French Vouvou Jeremia Linton Jacques Henri Blaze
06|FOR THE LOVE OF CARS 10|MADE IN GUYANA 12|NEW LIFE, NEW BEGINNINGS
FALL EDITION NOV 2018
Photographers Direxta Lydell Birch Chris de Neptune Dave Hayllar
18|SILENCE, ON TOURNE! 20|ART HAS NO BOUNDARIES 24|ALL EYES ON... 28|I GOT NEXT 30|PREVIOUSLY...
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JOJO “A NEW LIFE, NEW BEGINNINGS”
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“
If I had to pinpoint one reason why my If confidence has grown, I would chalk it up to my mental conditioning. For those that don’t know, I’m a huge UFC fan, and I study a lot of the pre-fight mental training that the various fighters go through...”
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“The first car I purchased was a Ford Probe for $950 on Fairfax and Pico Blvd in Los Angeles.”
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What did inspire you to start the Beverly Hills Car Club? Growing up in London, we’re always around classic cars from the 50s and 60s – Mercedes Benz, Jaguars, Volvo sports, Rolls Royce. When I came to America, the classics that really gravitate towards me at that time were the Lincoln Continentals with the suicide doors. I bought one and did a mild restoration on the car and people kept stopping me and asking to buy it and it started from there. And being approached by several celebrities who were intrigued by the ride I was in was how I actually was struck with the idea of starting Beverly Hills Car Club. What education, schooling, or skills are needed to do this? When you are around classic cars your entire life, it becomes part of who you are. It wasn’t until I got older that I developed a strong passion for the business side as well. You also need a creative mind because classic cars are so much about design. Psychology helps enormously because when people miss out on the car they love, you have to deal with the disappointment. Cars are all about emotions and works in both directions, positively and negatively. What type of services does your company provide? We buy and sell European & American classic cars to the dealers, collectors and people who just simply love to own a classic car.
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Can you summarise BHCC typical customers? Our typical client is anyone between the age of 18 and 80. It could be someone who grew up with a father who was interested in cars and wants to buy one for a similar experience or an older person who has always wanted to own a particular type of car. It’s an exciting process to be able to assist people to acquire the cars they have been after for a long time. We have people asking for all different things. With these cars, no request is too crazy. That ‘want’ everyone has who is an enthusiast or is in the business or has this as a hobby, to find that one rare car that nobody else has – there’s just something tantalizing about it. That’s what I think makes us successful, that there are so much passion and love for the cars that it just drives you more. What are your criteria when you have to select a car to restore? The best advice I can give is to someone wanting to restore a car is to do your research. And make sure you know everything about the car so when you go into it, you know the difficulties that can come with it. You can compare it to building a house, and that comes with a multitude of choices you have to make throughout the process, and restoring a car is no different. What has been your most memorable discovery to date? It has to be a Mercedes Gullwing. It took my breath away. It’s a really beautiful and welldesigned car.
If you HAD to choose one car to take home from the BHCC, what would it be and why? The Ferrari 275 GTB is one of my favorite cars but it’s not a daily driver but I also have an affinity for Mercedes. It’s hard to decide because you just love the cars that are delivered to the showroom each day. What makes a good restoration of a classic car from your point of view? The paintwork is so important when restoring a classic car. It should look as smooth as glass. Attention to detail and to follow through with quality craftsmanship is very important. As the President of the Beverly Hills Car Club, what is your typical workday like? I get up at 6:00 AM every morning to make sure I am not missing out on anything on the east coast and don’t stop until around 10:00 PM or later. Somewhere in there, I hit the gym and workout for about an hour. I do a lot of driving as I like to go see the cars that people are selling and see if they are part of what we want to include in our inventory. It makes it for endless excitement and keeps alive the passion for what I do. Instagram @mralexmanos Website : beverlyhillscarclub.com Interview by Morgan Larson
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“Just stay persistent and keep GOD FIRST. Everything will workout.”
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Jourdin Pauline Guyana, your birth country... How can you describe this area in three words for our readers? Amazing, extraordinary place, so much love and fun over there. I LOVE IT! Are you still living over there currently? No i wish! I have been living in Los Angeles since my childhood. For people who don’t know you, how did you start in the music industry? Well... My mom is a manager and I’ve been in this industry my whole life. One day, I went to the studio to a major writing session and i had a fire idea and everyone went crazy! Can we discuss about your brand new single #TTWNA? What does #TTWNA stand for? THROW THE WHOLE N***** AWAY :) Can we expect an official video soon? Yes, very, very soon... I can’t wait! You have an impressive Instagram page with a solid engagement. How do you use social media to promote your music? Any tips? Just being consistent and interact with everyone but DON’T BE annoying lol. As a social media influencer, where do you get your sense of fashion? From the 90’s. I love edgy style mixed with high fashion.
What does it mean for you to be an influencer? It means me having a voice to show girls that they don’t have to be like everyone else to be beautiful and we don’t have to take men shit lol! I just want my presence on earth to matter. I want to bring as much change as possible. Are there any particular brands you work with now? Which brands would you like to be working with? Adidas is one of the goals and as of right now, nothing but they are in the works (*bird man hand rubs*) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Very successful. Honestly, with my music acting everything, I see myself headlining my world wide tour and owning my businesses! it’s gonna be lit, I can’t wait! Literally!
#TTWNA IS NOW AVAILABLE ON
Favorite quote? Keep moving forward no matter how hard life gets, things will always workout. Just stay persistent and keep GOD first, everything will workout. Instagram @jourdinpauline Website : jourdinpauline.com Interview by Frenchvouvou
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HE GOES BY THE NAME OF...
MONEY
MONEY
JOJO OJJJO O JJO O
VEGAS VEGAS
!NEW LIFE! “Versace, Barneys, Saks 5th, Neiman Marcus, I shop at all of them!”
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JOJO THE
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#VERSACEEMPIRE
My brother, who I have the label with, his name is Saks. His Instagram name used to be VersaceSaks and he would sometimes call me Versace Jo.”
THE GAMEGOD
“If I wouldn’t have been to jail, I’d probably already be dead. It made me grow up & be a man.”
I’m real seasoned when it comes to the streets. Whatever you could do in the streets, I’ve done it. So I feel like at this point, I could teach a m’fcker about anything thats got something to do with what I’ve been through. I just chose it because I see so many people game goofy out here, for real, that are supposed to be street cats. It just makes me realize how much of a veteran I really am.
FROM GA TO VEGAS
When I got out of prison, I came to the halfway house here because I knew I couldn’t go back to Georgia. I couldn’t stay out of jail there, so I was like fuck that, and came out here put in for the halfway house, stayed there for 6 months and when I got out, I stayed.
VEGAS LOVE
Money, Money, Money is what I love for sure. It’s the best part of the city for real. Vegas is straight, I’m not going anywhere right now. Other than that, the thing I hate is mostly the people. Their word ain’t shit. No-
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body does what they say. Buncha fuckin drug addicts. I just stay away from everybody. But i love the money so that keeps me distracted.
FASHION LOVE
I find my clothes in all different places, just what
I see you know? I don’t really have a favorite fashion brand because I like a lot of them but if i had to say a store, it’d probably be Versace. Barneys, Saks 5th, Neiman Marcus, I shop at all of them.
VERSACE EMPIRE
My brother, who I have the label with, his name is Saks. His Instagram name used to be VersaceSaks and he would sometimes call me Versace Jo. When we started tossing names back and forth for the label, we kept coming back around to Versace, so we ran with it.
JOJO THE
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MUSIC INDUSTRY
Shit. I’m just cutting in, really, this year. I was hanging out with rappers before I ever even wrote a rap though.
FGC STUDIOS
Those are my brothers, man. I met them through my partner and the first time I went up there and met’em, we just clicked. And from then on, I been fuckin with them damn near every day.
CHANGE THE GAME
Honestly, even though I’m not a fan, I would have to say 69 is changing it up a lot. Giving them something different. Definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to the business aspect of it. But I’m not a fan personally.
EVOLUTION
Jail... I got out August 8th, 2014 after I went through a stretch (13 years). But yeah it changed me a lot. I was 21 when I went in. I was a kid I was out there wildin’.
If I wouldn’t have went to jail, I’d probably already be dead. It made me grow up & be a man.
A BRAND NEW JOJO
The new Jojo is a boss for sure. A winner. A sure bet. A guarantee. That’s about it.
LOUIE BAG
That was the first song I ever recorded, actually. We just now putting it out though. I’ve got so much shit coming, I’m in the works with all kinds of stuff, man. Y’all stay tuned. It’s a lot of big shit fixin to pop off. Remember that name, Jojo the Game God, you gonna hear it a lot.
LOUIE BAG IS NOW AVAILABLE ON
Instagram @jojo_the_gamegod FGC @fgcstudios Interview by Winnie M.C Photos by Direxta
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“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.� - Old Chinese proverb
DESIGNED BY
“I’m a huge animal lover. I have a rescue pup named Millie. She’s a terrier mix and a ball of energy. I try to take her hiking with me at least twice a week.”
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SILENCE,
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Krystin Goodwin “There are no shortcuts or overnight successes despite what social media posts may have us believe. In every industry there will be hard work, and learning curves.” Hi Krystin, it’s a great pleasure to have you today for this interview with us! Let’s travel to the past. What was your dream since you were a kid? Thank you so much for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here. Growing up, I dreamed about being a filmmaker. At a young age I started teaching myself how to shoot and edit video hoping to one day create documentaries. I have always loved telling stories and sharing experiences with others. I would spend nights as a kid writing scripts for my friends and I to perform for neighbors, family or really anyone who would pay attention. I grew to love theater. In high school I ended up joining a show choir which traveled the country singing and dancing. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a huge animal lover. I have a rescue pup named Millie. She’s a terrier mix and a ball of energy. I try to take her hiking with me at least
your best and not stressing! It can be difficult to juggle work, auditioning and training to stay on your game but to me it’s worth it. Having a voice and being given the opportunity to tell stories has always made me incredibly happy. What has it been like to be a part of the “Bumblebee” adventure? It’s a bit surreal. I’ve always enjoyed the Transformers franchise and I’m so grateful to be a small part of this story. I can tell you the film takes place in the 80’s. I play a version of myself with MUCH bigger hair reporting on all the action! Honestly, it may be the most fun I’ve ever had on set. What a productive year for you! You are also featured in the CBS Interactive’s new series “Tell Me A Story”! Congrats. How was your casting? Did you feel particularly anxious? Thank you so much! I can’t say too much about this role just yet, but the year itself has been a
data breach, lawmakers reacting to breaking news or a recent headline, to the occasional heartwarming viral story. Is there anything that you wish you had known about this industry before stepping into it? I’m pretty certain I knew this before delving into the industry, but I would reiterate to my younger self, “there are no shortcuts or overnight successes” despite what social media posts may have us believe. In every industry there will be hard work, and learning curves. We just have to commit to the journey, enjoy the experience and do our best. What is your advice to others wanting to pursue entertainment or broadcasting? My advice to anyone trying to break in to entertainment or broadcasting is to find out exactly what role you want and go after it. Surround
“Surround yourself with those who believe in you and those you can learn from.” twice a week. I find I’m happiest outdoors being active or relaxing and spending time with good friends. I’m a big hip hop and electronic music fan. I do take some heat for the latter. How did you start and how was your first experience as an actress? My first role as an actress was on G4TV’s “Attack of the Show.” I recurred a few times doing comedic skits including interacting with the notorious Drunkle Ted. It was a blast. My first costarring role was playing a TV News Reporter for TNT’s “Franklin & Bash.” What’s the best and worst aspect of being an actress? For myself, the most challenging aspect of being a performer is making time to do
whirlwind. I’ve been traveling a lot this fall. I spent some time back in New York for a role in a pilot which debuts early next year. I also recently worked on Hulu’s horror anthology series from Blumhouse “Into the Dark” which features spooky stories inspired by the holidays. You’re also a reporter for FOX... What is your day-to-day like in that position? Yes. I cover all breaking and trending news. The broadcast industry has changed so much over the last ten years thanks to social media. When breaking news hits I’m navigating Twitter to find the latest information, verifying its credibility and writing my scripts to go live. My coverage varies depending on the day. I tend to cover everything from the latest tech company
yourself with those who believe in you and those you can learn from. Be aggressive with your endeavors, but always be kind. Instagram @krystingoodwin Interview by Winnie MC
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ART HAS
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THEATRE DIRECTOR
Marina “Being a woman and a foreigner limits opportunities, but perseverance and the willingness to work from the bottom up, opened a lot of doors.”
What exactly do you do as a Theatre Director? What are your key responsibilities? I am given a script, sometimes fully formed, sometimes a skeleton. My job is to envision a world for the play/musical, gather a team and transfer the story from the page to the stage. I manage the unification of all elements and how they are orchestrated together through timing, shifts, usage of space, shapes, emotions and other conventions. At the end of the day, everything is done to honor a story.
focus on new developments I am often present in the process before the script is even finalized, or before the play is assigned an opening date.
My responsibilities change depending on the project. In a traditional process, I pitch an idea for what the world of the play/musical would look like to the playwright or institution. From there, I bring in designers that are experts at their craft to put this world up (light, sound, set, costume, projection). It is particularly key that I facilitate an environment where there is a strong sense of guidance, trust, and a feeling of freedom so each artist can bring their best interpretation to the table. This way, the result is cohesive and enriched by different perspectives. Each project has its own needs, and because I
Since your beginnings in Brazil, how has your career unfolded? As an artist, all my observations, studies, and experiences are my sources of creation. So, living and being exposed to the reality of four countries shapes my art. When I moved from Brazil to Argentina, I was a sponge to this new foreign culture, and by being against the backdrop of a different social and political environment, I understood my country, beliefs, and art with much more lucidity. This clarity later allowed me to direct and give justice to Latin American plays, characters, and their en-
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If you hadn’t been a director, what would you have been? I would have been an environmental scientist. I would focus on advocating against issues like desertification and fracking. The soil is the basis for our survival and it is being ignored or addressed with superficial methods of prevention.
vironments. Another turning point that shaped my work, was when I moved to Johannesburg and experienced the wounds of the Apartheid Regime and the triumphs of the new South Africa. This gave me the opportunity to connect Theatre of the Oppressed, founded in Brazil by Augusto Boal, to another country. Today, these dense and colorful stories of mixed and complex origins became my subconscious viewpoint. Now, living in New York, a melting pot of different backgrounds, I express the legitimacy of intersectional voices and facilitate spaces where they can shine without being edited out of their context. What successes have you had? How important have they been to you, as an artist and as a woman? Being a woman and a foreigner limits opportunities, but perseverance and the willingness to work from the bottom up, opened a lot of doors. I was blessed with rare opportunities to be involved in high-level productions. I was mentored by revolutionary artists, whose training and knowledge allowed me to grow at a rate
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I could have never imagined. However, success is never final! I am really proud of my journey and all the work that has brought me here. This included productions with high levels of revenue as well as professional productions in smaller venues. For me, success is when I see the community that is being portrayed on stage mirrored in the audience. I am glad that bringing my experience as a woman and a foreigner results in work that merges gender, nationality and other aspects of identity seamlessly. I don’t believe a story has to be about feminism to be feminist, it has to bring every aspect of identity and how they intersect to a tangible level so the audience can feel it and have thought-provoking emotions. What professional organizations are you a member of? As a director, I am an associate of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Union. To name a few institutions I have held different positions in: Hi-Arts, Signature Theatre, The Barrow Group, Naked Angels, The Flea, Theatre for a New City, Apt.929, Ping Chong + Company, Anthropological Theatricals, la Lucha Arts, Africa Tikkun, The New School for Drama, Hunter College and others. For people who are not familiar with your job, what does “Theatre of the Oppressed” mean? Can you explain to us the concept? Theater of the Oppressed, created by Augusto Boal, depicts socially unjust situations on stage and is designed to involve the audience in an active exploration towards a solution to these problems. It is designed to analyze and discuss types of oppression and power through a form that is democratic in its engagement with par-ticipants. I admire its power to ignite action and transcend tragedy. I remember a boy who shared with me that he would take HIV medication after he was involved in a workshop that shattered the taboo. The direct impact theatre provides in these situations are incomparable, and it wouldn’t be so effective if it wasn’t for the structure created by Boal. Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and now the USA... You are a real globetrotter. Do you agree with the statement “Art has no frontiers”? Through your multiple experiences, did you feel the same energy/magic everywhere? YES! and that is one of the most groundbreaking powers of art because it is so overwhelmingly human. It transcends our beliefs of what makes us different and is a medium that works through empathy to connect. Each country has a different energy since it is addressing its own problems, but theatre has
the magic power to promote unity and mutual understanding anywhere.
the Gods, a cathartic release from the repetitive attempt to reclaim one’s dignity.
Talking about theatre, what are the main differences between those different countries? I mean. how do the cultural specificities of each country impact the way you work? The main difference for me is actually the technical approach to the process and how things get done. Storytelling is universal and numerous styles are used in each country. Fortunately, I was exposed to various specific cultural approaches.
I found my home in the American theatre. It fosters the development of new works, values theatre that raises modern ethical questions and has the most groundbreaking community of artists. Studying in New York also gave me the chance to re-analyze and demystify techniques that I was taught to praise without fully questioning. The conversations and artistic work that come out of the city are avant-garde, and it’s an honor to be part of it.
In Brazil, I found a theatre that confronts its people by examining the concept of a free body versus one enslaved in modern social-political values. This is manifested through physical expressions and heightened convention since real-
What are your projects for 2019 that you can talk to us about? I am directing a play called Cucaracha or While She Sleeps by Jo Bilac. It is a story about a nurse and a patient that is in a coma - we never
ism can’t handle the size of the modern Latin American experience. It is a form that unearths our history, mirrors the present and questions the future.
know in whose mind we are in and it asks of us what it means to be awakened in this modern society of ours that we postpone calling our loved until it’s too late. A Musical called, EXI(S)T about a community of people that are seeking asylum and hiding in a church. Another incredible project is Americano: A Latinx Musical by Jesse Sanchez about a family in Watsonville and their sacrifices to break cycles for the next generation.
Argentina shares a similar way of expression, but different in its rhythm. I was mostly in contact with its comedy through Lecoq’s technique. It was there that I linked physical storytelling and humor as the most potent manner to rob censorship of its authority. In South Africa, I did theatre with many people that did not speak the same language. So, the storytelling went back to ancient traditions, and through celebratory dance and songs, we brought a sense of community. The theatre I experienced in South Africa felt like a wail to
Instagram @marinamontesanti Website: marinamontesanti.com Interview by Winnie MC
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Amy Emanuele “I met Takani Dillon right before I went into the room and he told me “think: plain Jane” and handed me the scene.”
2019
Thank you so much for reaching out! It is wonderful to be able to discuss my creative endeavours with a like-minded platform and audience. I’m so excited to see how I’ll grow and change as an actor in 2019. Aside from continuing to work onscreen, one of my main goals is to develop my skills as a voice actor. In 2017, I voiced a virtual reality game created for the event Robotronica in Brisbane and enjoyed the experience so much. I would love to bring more characters to life using my voice because it’s a field that allows for a lot of creativity and fun. There are a couple of exciting projects coming out in 2019, including a short but sweet featured role in a (secretive!) series as well as a supporting role in the upcoming Australian independent film ‘Hannah and Other Misadventures’ by Queensland filmmaker and director Takani Dillon. I’m really looking forward to seeing how these projects play out!
FIRST LOVE
I definitely fell in love with dance and music first, because as a child these let me express myself in different ways and constantly challenge myself. I always considered myself a performer and wanted to learn every craft that 24 - FRESH MAGAZINE
I could, and once I took a couple of drama classes I fell in love with the beautiful subtleties of expression that acting for film and television allows for. The opportunity to experience other people’s lives (whether they were real or not) intrigued me and ignited a passion to tell these stories and create a shared understanding of them. I would definitely say that one of my favourite memories is the first time I watched ‘Catch Me If You Can’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Probably around 10 years ago, I saw it by chance after flipping through the television channels at home. I couldn’t look away from the screen - every actor brought each character to life in such a natural yet intriguing way and I felt as if I was on the journey along with Frank. I couldn’t help but feel empathy for Frank due to the layers that Leonardo Dicaprio brings to the character - a great lesson in evoking emotion from an audience. These days, a film I never get tired of watching is ‘The Martian’ with Matt Damon. As an actor, it was so fascinating to watch one person onscreen bring an entire story to life, and as a human-being it was inspiring to watch one person display pure perseverance of survival despite isolation. It is stories like these that motivate me to collaborate and create my own original stories.
MODELS
When it comes to comedic characters, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling all inspire me to push myself and take more creative and out-of-the-box choices. Cillian Murphy is another one of my favourite actors. In particular, his work in ‘Peaky Blinders’ demonstrates the power of body language and motivates me to bring a stronger awareness to a character’s physicality.
EXCITEMENT
I am so excited to talk about this film! ‘Hannah and Other Misadventures’ is an Australian independent film by Queensland writer and director Takani Dillon. Filmed entirely in Queensland, it is a hilarious and heartwarming story about the struggles of love and friendship. I play the role of Jane, who at first glance appears completely ordi nary. I am not going to say too much because I don’t want to spoil the fun, but you should definitely keep an eye out for her! The audition was held in Brisbane and I was given no script or breakdown prior, just the character’s name. I met Takani Dillon right before I went into the room and he told me “think: plain Jane” and handed me the scene. I remember reading the scene
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“We are planning a non-profit production company that provides children’s hospitals with the tools, resources and opportunities for children to make their own creative works.”
over and over, trying to clear my head and be ‘plain’, when suddenly something clicked and I felt that I understood who Jane was, how she talked and expressed herself. The audition was so much fun and when I got the call from Takani saying I got the part, I was overjoyed that I was going to be able to act as Jane again. The cast and crew worked very hard to create something special and I can’t wait for audiences to experience the film. Look out for news about ‘Hannah and Other Misadventures’ in 2019!
BEYOND ACTING
Dance has always been a massive part of my life. It taught me confidence, discipline, and created lasting friendships. While I was young, I used dance to relieve stress and have fun, but recently I have began to challenge myself and incorporate this hobby into my career. Earlier this year, for the first time I choreographed and danced a piece for an Australian mental health project. I am proud of myself for putting myself outside of my comfort zone and creating a dance that truly represented me.
BRISBANE
Absolutely, I miss Brisbane every day! It is such a beautiful city where I have made
friends that I consider like family. I have so many amazing memories from Australia, such as working on my first film, road trips to the coast, and living together with some of my best friends. If I could only keep one memory it would probably have to be my birthday this year. All of my friends plus some new people who just moved into the neighbourhood (who after became close friends!) came to my share house where we popped champagne and told the most ridiculous stories and jokes. My friends made me feel so loved and special - it is a birthday that I will never forget and one of my most precious memories from Australia. Spending two and a half years there was such an incredible journey and I am forever grateful for that chapter in my life.
LIFE BALANCE
I love being busy, especially when most of the time my schedule revolves around my multiple creative endeavours. Aside from acting, I coach Australian and New Zealand actors on the General American accent through video chat sessions. It is so inspiring to watch my clients progress and grow into confident working actors, such as Winnie Mzembe (Sophie’s Turn, Aquaman), Bec Caldwell (OtherLife, The Unhallowed) and Benjamin Newall (We
Were Tomorrow). Coaching, acting, and other areas of my career such as casting are all within the same realm of film and television so it is relatively easy to jump from one to another. The most important thing I have learned is to always set aside time for myself and to have hobbies outside of work, like dance, cooking and making time for family and friends. This creates a healthy separation between my work and my personal identity and incorporates balance into my life.
CHARITY
It is in the early development stage currently, but my sister Megan Emanuele (an aspiring film writer and director) and I are planning a non-profit production company that provides children’s hospitals with the tools, resources and opportunities for children to make their own creative works, whether it be writing, directing, acting, set design, music, cinematography, etc. We created the company based on the realization of how important creativity was to us as kids and that an illness should not prevent children from expressing themselves. Follow Amy on Instagram @itsamye Photos by Dave Hayllar photography FRESH MAGAZINE - 25
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“I have always wanted to play Trigorin in Antom Chekov’s The Seagul. I spent a lot of time in school studying and performing Chekov at Loyola Marymount University and the Moscow Art Theatre.”
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FLAX
“I would absolutely love to have the chance to work with Taika Waititi! Ever since I saw his film, What We Do in the Shadows, I have been in love with his style.” Please, briefly introduce yourself. Who, in your own words, is Godfrey Flax? I am an actor, writer, and comedian. A lot of people would look at me and say that I am the Michael Cera of Seth Rogen look-a-likes and, while I enjoy the comparison enough to be flattered by it, I like to think of myself as something new. I meet a lot of people who say they’re going to be the next Chris Pratt or the next Jonah Hill but, I would rather not be thought of in that way. I’m not only the next me, I’m also the first me. I feel like it is difficult to come across as fresh today and I pride myself on the fact that I am different.
These have made him the best that he can be which is really what we all want to be.
What inspired you to become an actor? I would have to say my father. He’s the one who pushed me to do stand-up when I was 13. After that it just sort of took off. I began acting, studied it in college and am now working as a performer in LA. My father continues to inspire and push me to be the best that I can be. Whenever i feel like things aren’t going so well I just think about what he would say, “keep going.”
What is your humor style? How would you describe it? I have a really odd humor. My father is from South Africa and spent a lot of time in London so growing up I watched a lot of comedies from England. I loved shows like Blackadder, Red Dwarf, and The Young Ones growing and definitely pull a lot of my humor from those shows. I would say that the type of humor that rings best to me is the kind that is seen in Blackadder. I absolutely love the witty style that the show carries and I definitely try to apply portions of that style into my own writings and performances.
Who in the current industry influenced you as an actor? I find Benedict Cumberbatch to be a constant inspiration. From his productions with the National Theatre to his films such as The Imitation Game, I love everything that I’ve seen. I strive to have a work ethic comparable to him and really admire his desire to be constantly learning.
Which well-known actor or director would you like to work with in the near future and why? I would absolutely love to have the chance to work with Taika Waititi! Ever since I saw his film, What We Do in the Shadows I have been in love with his style. I would like to either act with or be directed by him as I think he does each job incredibly well. I feel like working with him would be a really great challenge and push me to deliver a great performance.
What projects are you working on? I’m currently playing Clarence in a production of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Though I was raised
Jewish, i do recall watching the original film in school as a kid and am so excited to be a part of this production! I have also been focusing on my stand-up and writing recently and just finished my first draft on an awesome pilot that I hope to push into production. What unknown or curious fact would you like our audience to know about you? I very secretly adore cooking lavish foods. I love to try my hand at cooking simple things with twist such as my garlic bread, truffle, grilled cheese. I plan on making a black truffle and lamb backed ziti for the upcoming holidays this year! What would be your ultimate dream role? That’s a tough one. I feel as though I feel a pull towards different roles at different times but I have always wanted to play Trigorin in Antom Chekov’s The Seagul. I spent a lot of time in school studying and performing Chekov at Loyola Marymount University and the Moscow Art Theatre. I did have the chance the play Trigorin in a scene for class but that just feels like a taste of the role and I have always wanted a chance to really tackle it in a full length production of The Seagul. Instagram @godfreyflax Interview by Joha Brown
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DIREXTA 30
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“I have full creative control of
all my music. I edit, master, create beats and design all my music content myself. That’s why they call me Direxta!”
”
PREVIOUSLY...
FRESH
“Moka is my mentor – I’ve known him since I was 11 years old. He has been a mentor to me in my career & filled a “big brother” / role model for me personally.” NEW BEGINNINGS
I’ve just moved to Las Vegas the beginning of 2018, and I’m feeling like Jordan 23 ballin with the unstoppable FGC team. Vegas is home now.
ORIGINS
I grew up in Long Island, New York. Then moved to Atlanta, GA in 2010 to finish high school. After that, I moved to West Palm Beach, FL for a few years – eventually landing in Las Vegas, NV in 2018. I was doing a lot of music videos, my brand was “Dean the Director”. I decided to change it to Direxta.
INFLUENCE
2018 “Runnin Way From Good” and I was impressed. We brought him in to FGC Studios and we had a dope vibe and it was a wrap.
MOKA BLAST
Moka is my mentor – I’ve known him since I was 11 years old. He has been a mentor to me in my career & filled a “big brother” / role model for me personally. He’s always there to help with the creative side of things, and he has such a great ear, he knows if anything is off or needs to be rerecorded.
CHANGE
I would have to say my biggest influence musically is Jay Z -- his business sense is impressive.
My music has changed drastically since it first started. Now my music is more lyrical. My flow is smoother, my voice is more mature and I have a story to tell.
NEXT
BORN TO CREATE
My upcoming single with Chantal Alexis is called “Too Much” anticipated to drop late October of this year. It’s fire! It kinda just happened organically – we started writing and had a hit in three days. It’s the perfect blend of rap and R&B/Soul.
PROCESS
The writing process was really easy, we have a connection, and work great together. When Chantal talks it sounds like an ad lib or part of a song. If I catch it, we make it a song. That’s how easy it is for us to create.
THE FAM
I have full creative control of all my music. I edit, master, create beats and design all my music content myself. That’s why they call me Direxta!
ONE WORD
Passion – cause I put my heart in to everything I do. Instagram @direxta FGC @fgcstudios Vegas Ballers @vegasballers Interview by French Vouvou Photos by Lydell Birch
I met Jae (Jae Douglass) through Moka while we were hanging at FGC Studios. Moka was showing me a video Jae dropped in Jan of
FRESH MAGAZINE - 31
C H R I S
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