issue #51 2018
SER’DARIUS
BLAIN
+ Jeremy Ray Taylor. Salvador Chacon. James Chen. Stewe. #TheShopHBO.
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Marketing/Sales: Jus Mi Luck Promotions Yoooooo, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Taffany Jackson, our first winner of a FREE pair of tickets to the “Experience The Legends” concert featuring Too Short, Slick Rick, Scarface and Michel’le at Murat Theater at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, IN. We will be giving away a pair of tickets every Sunday leading up to the concert (November 16). To enter, visit www.twenty4sevenmagazine.com, click the post pertaining to the giveaway and follow the instructions inside. Thank you for your continued support and good luck in the drawing! Tyrone Davis
Writers: Krystal Luster Contributing Writers: Corletha Norman Bey, MSW, LCSW Lucky Smith Trea Day PR Contact: twenty4sevenmagazine.com twenty4sevenmagazine@gmail.com youtube.com/twenty4sevenmagazine twitter: @twenty4sevenmag instagram: @twenty4sevenmagazine facebook: twenty4seven magazine Editor Contact: brightwoodentertainment.com brightwoodentertainment@gmail.com youtube.com/brightwoodent twitter: @brightwoodent instagram: @brightwoodentertainment facebook: Tyrone Brightwood Davis phone: 404.409.6553
CONTENTS Y.D.I.T.: BIPOLAR SALVADOR CHACON JAMES CHEN QUEENS STAND UP SER’DARIUS BLAIN #THESHOPHBO JEREMY RAY TAYLOR PICS: ON LOCATION STEWE
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IGNORANCE IS BLISS. READ A BOOK.
YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG: BIPOLAR DISORDER
BY CORLETHA NORMAN BEY, MSW, LCSW Today I want to address some misinformation surrounding mental health in society. There are some words/phrases/diagnoses that are utilized incorrectly in everyday conversation.
Bipolar
Examples of use: “Man you always pullin them crazy bipolar chicks.” (I have to say it: what was their mother like? Sometimes people can’t live without dysfunction after growing up with it.) “Chile he SNAPPED! I ain’t never seen him this mad! He must be bipolar!” (Or maybe you’re not taking accountability for the level of disrespect you displayed toward him.)
MENTALLY HEALING TOWARD CONTENTMENT Greetings and welcome to Bonhomie, L.L.C where it is our mission to create space for personal growth by mentally healing toward contentment. With over 10 years of Social Work experience in multiple states and environments, we help you to achieve this th through:
• Identifying the problem(s) and all contributing factors to the visible symptoms. • Planning the sequence of your care; actions to take and your desired results. • Utilize therapeutic techniques that best assist you in reaching your desired outcome. • Go with you to places you haven’t been to learn and know yourself more intimately.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
CORLETHA NORMAN BEY, MSW, LCSW
WHAT WE DO At Bonhomie LLC, we provide individual, family, and couples therapy to those 12 and older, (with some exceptions). We provide these therapies surrounding: Trauma/PTSD, difficulties in teen years, men’s issues, women’s issues, cultural issues, adjustment, divorce/custody/family issues, spiritual concerns, lilife transitions, and more.
PH: 404.402.0650 • INFOBONHOMIELLC.COM • WWW.BONHOMIELLC.COM TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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Bipolar is actually Bipolar Disorder...a diagnosis. It exists when an individual inconsistently moves between a state of deep depression and a state of mania in a manner that they can’t control. Not when someone simply displays what is perceived to be “multiple personalities,” in reaction to you. There are 2 main subtypes of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. The main difference is that Bipolar I is a more severe case of Bipolar Disorder than Bipolar II. Individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder will experience a depressed phase no matter the form they have. With Bipolar I, the manic stage is more severe than with Bipolar II. Too often the word bipolar is used to minimize someone in a moment of expressing their own lack of contentment (anger, hurt, frustration, etc). Instead of hearing them out or acknowledging their position, they are shut down by being called crazy. On the flip side, individuals that actually suffer from Bipolar Disorder tend to refrain from getting help due to the social stigma attached to the diagnosis. Bipolar Disorder is MUCH more than a mood swing. It is a transition from severe depression to the opposite pole of marked mania; excessive excitement, enthusiasm or over activity. To give a good example, I worked in the intake department for a hospital that provided mental health and substance abuse services in Kentucky. I completed an assessment for a man diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I, that read about the hospital online and drove up...FROM TEXAS. Big difference. If you would like to read the full article, please check out my blog at www.bonhomiellc.com.
CORLETHA NORMAN BEY, MSW, LCSW
is Owner and Clinical Director of Bonhomie, LLC. She has over ten years of experience in the world of social work. This includes mental health therapy, intensive in home therapy for high risk, foster and DFCS/DCBS clients, family and individual therapy, couples therapy, trauma focused therapy, juvenile justice intervention, case management, advocacy, and mentorship. She can be reached at www.bonhomiellc.com.
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SALVADOR CHACON SMALL THINGS MATTER Words + Interview By: Lucky Smith Meet Salvador Chacon, who stars as Pablo in the FX television series, “Mayans M.C.”, which takes place in the same universe as “Sons of Anarchy”. The actor/producer/director talks acting, working behind the scenes and the importance of treating people with kindness because he believes “we’re all we’ve got”.
What was life like prior to acting? I have always been involved in the arts, especially the performing arts. From a very young age I began acting in school plays, from elementary all the way to college. Before I started acting professionally I attended college in Texas where I got a BA in Drama. At one point I also really wanted to get involved in real-life filmmaking, so right after I graduated college I started working on film sets as an assistant camera in the sound and art department. How did you get your start in Hollywood? So far, has Hollywood lived up to your expectations? Well, after I moved to L.A. in 2010 it took me a solid year to get a sense of the city and how it worked. I also was without a car for almost 18 months. Being car-less made auditioning more complicated with enduring a trek every time. But, in 2011 I started auditioning more often and luckily started booking commercials. Commercials were my first paid acting (or on screen) jobs and my very first role on a TV show (near to 2 years ago) was for a CBS pilot that still hasn’t seen the light of day.
PHOTOS: ALDON CHACON
Which role in particular do you feel was the one that changed your life and why? I don’t think I’ve had a role that’s changed my life but I feel most roles change my life a little each time as I embrace different emotions and circumstances that the character requires. These roles might not be my everyday reality but it is a reality for others out there so getting to experience, or at least be aware of such emotions and life paths has opened my heart and my mind. Tell us about “Mayans M.C.” and your role as Pablo. Mayans M.C. has been an amazing opportunity and dream come true in many ways. It’s a show that goes beyond just entertainment and actually gives the audience a view into the lives and emotions of it’s characters. Pablo is Adelita’s righthand-man. He is there to make sure that anything that needs to be done for the rebel cause to prosper is done. He takes care of business and as a loyal man that firmly believes in what they are fighting for, he has an ‘all in’ mentality. What has been your most memorable experience to date as
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an actor? I think Mayans M.C. is definitely up there. Having the chance to work with so many talented people at once is quite fantastic. What does it mean to “produce” a film? Producing can happen on different levels. You can produce a film from inception, meaning you come up with an idea, develop it, write a script, finance it, shoot and edit it and finally distribute it. But, you can also produce a film that’s been developed and it just needs to be put together. You gather all the pieces and players that seem to be the best for that specific project and you make it happen, taking it from the page to the screen. You co-directed and starred in the short, “Jesse James”. Tell us about this film and your approach as a director and actor putting it together. Jesse James is a dramatic and experimental piece that a good friend of mine originally wrote for the stage. After performing it and achieving a positive reaction, he thought of putting it into film. The film is about a sex-fluid prostitute (Jesse) and her self-indulging abusive pimp (James). The timing is a pivotal point in his/her life where she has to make choices in order to survive or be condemned to abuse...and ultimately death. I directed Jesse James together with my brother, Aldo Chacon and we both wanted to stay true to the story that our friend, Jesus had written. We wanted to honor the world where he imagined these characters would live in but also add our own personal touch. We wanted the world of this film to look extremely real, very gritty and truly depressing while also maintaining a great level of aesthetics. For Aldo and I, art direction is key which is why most of the time we try to do it ourselves; we have more control. I have to admit that acting and directing at the same time was quite difficult. All the technical aspects of the film is one thing to think about and then there’s the performance of the character’s emotions. It can be a handful! Lucky for me, I have my brother on the other side of the monitor who can make the right choices independently while keeping in mind both of our perspectives. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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A lot of aspiring filmmakers don’t understand the importance of great sound quality early on. Being someone who has worked in the sound department, why is this necessary? Bad sound will take any audience out of the realism of the film in less than 30 seconds. You can see a beautiful picture, but if the dialogue begins and sounds like a homemade video, it’s over. Most people don’t realize the importance of sound because their perspective is as seen in theatres or on a television with excellent sound quality. I have been asked many times by the cinematographer before starting production on a project, “Who is doing the sound?” because they know the film will be ruined without impeccable recording. Also, a lot of beginners tend to think is easy to just “fix it in post”. Well it’s not, especially if you are short on funds. Rerecording and ADR sessions have the potential to cost a fortune. As a Latino, who have been your heroes in real life and if you could play any superhero, who would it be? For me as a Latino, I have many heroes that have done some cool things. For example, Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena invented the first color TV screen at the age of 17 and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s literature has touched so many. I would love to see a superhero in the form of a great leader, at least for Mexico which is where I come from. We are so desperately in need of a leader who has true love for the country and love for the people. Someone that is willing to take control and make the right choices for the majority and not for the 1%. For me, I think I could be a great Batman. What is your dream role? I have many but I’ve always wanted to play a villain in a James Bond film. What are your “Top 5” films of all time? The Pianist, Cinema Paradiso, The Godfather (1,2), Remember the Titans and Magnolia. What kind of advice could you give aspiring actors who are trying to get their foot in the door? I would say definitely have a plan of attack because there are so many people out there trying to do the same thing you are. If you have a strategy it will be less difficult. It’s good to have
a path to follow even if it takes a long time to walk through it. Realize the things you actually need to do to secure jobs versus the ones you don’t. Don’t spend your money going to “fancy” places trying to meet someone or get “connections”. Instead, join a good class where you can master your craft so when you get that next audition you go in there a rock it. Don’t take it personal if you go to 50 auditions and you don’t book a job. There are many things that factor into getting a part. Yes, being a good actor is a must but it won’t necessarily get you the job every time. Hard work and perseverance will lead you to an open door. Name a cause that you are passionate about. Human Rights. We need to create consciousness amongst each other and understand that our population is 7 billion, but we are all we’ve got. If we promote a culture of hate, racism, abuse and bullying, we will destroy ourselves. Although so many things are out of our control, I do believe that the small things matter. Simple things like exercising patience and having tolerance with other humans around you can go a long way. How do you feel about Donald Trump and his plans to “build the wall”? Build bridges. A wall is just what it sounds like…a wall. It won’t fix immigration. What do you think the biggest misconception is about Latin America as a whole? That we are all a bunch of uneducated savages running around in colorful clothes and selling drugs. I encourage others to look closer. Latin America is part of the world filled with history, culture and warm and loving people. How can people reach you on social media? You can find me on Instagram @chaconsal, on Facebook: Salvador Chacon and on Twitter @sgutchack.
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JAMES CHEN: THE SURVIVOR Words + Interview By: Lucky Smith
If you’ve seen Netflix’s “Seven Seconds” or are a fan of AMC’s “The Walking Dead”, you’ve seen actor James Chen in action. He also appeared in season 2 of Marvel’s “Iron Fist”, which was released recently and has quite a few other titles in his resume, including “The Amazing SpiderMan” and “FBI”. We caught up with him and talked about life, self-love, and his upcoming appearance in “The Last O.G.”. You have built up quite a resume. How did you get your start and what motivated you to become an actor? Thanks! It really has been a slow and steady journey just putting one step in front of the other. Looking back, I always had a vivid imagination and was creative. I loved to draw, play piano and write short stories for school and whatnot. But, it wasn’t until I was in college that I had a chance to explore acting, taking basic introductory courses and performing with extracurricular theater troupes. After that, I got the bug pretty quickly and by my junior year I was taking classes at the local theater downtown, had an agent and was skipping organic chemistry lab to write and direct plays. After graduating I stayed in Philadelphia for a couple years to work and act and then went to grad school at Yale Drama. After that I went straight to New York City and that was really just the beginning. I often feel like I’ve just started and have so much to learn and do but I think that’s a healthy place to be. Where did you attend college and how was the experience? I went to undergrad at UPENN in west Philadelphia, initially studying biochem (shudder). Over the course of 4 years, I slowly morphed that into an Econ major with a Chem minor all while pursuing my true interests in extracurricular acting projects. By senior year I was developing travel plans to get paid commercial gigs instead of studying for Econ midterms. So, the signs were very clear back then where my passion was. “Seven Seconds” is a show that was cancelled even though a lot of people liked it. What did you think about it overall? Also, what it was like working on set? I think it was an amazing show. It was extremely dark, but also extremely honest and real in a way that needed to be told. It didn’t shy away from the truth of the pain of these kinds of events we see in the news every day. Working on set was great. Everyone was super nice and professional but you could feel the tone had an undercurrent of the tragic subject matter at hand. PHOTOS: RYAN WEST
On any project, every single person involved is important, whether their role/responsibility is big or small. Do actors see it that way? Personally, do you celebrate a small role the same way you’d celebrate a major one? In the sense that “there are no small parts”, yeah I think I do. I think if a character is written well and set up in compelling ways then it’s the actor’s responsibility and joy to investigate what’s interesting and who that person is. That really is our work and I think a big part of the pleasure of being an actor is the exploration and whether it’s applied to a character in one scene or to another character across many scenes. The work is the same. That character who has one scene or even one line is the star of his or her life. We (the audience) just happened to catch them in this one particular moment so to us it is merely seemingly small. I’ve read that Samuel L. Jackson never turns down a role and we’ve seen him deliver both 2 lines and 1,000 lines
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in various films. Have you ever turned a role down and if not, what would be a reason you would? I have turned some things down over the years. They were more of opportunities to read for certain roles than offers to play roles but there may have been a couple of those over the years as well. Making a piece of theater or film is a mammoth endeavor that involves a lot of risk. As my one friend puts it, “every time a film gets made it’s nothing short of a miracle.” There are just so many logistical hurdles in everything from writing to timing to financing to cast/crew. I’ve learned over the years that it’s better to really vet a project before committing yourself to it because once you commit to something, you’re in and you have to give it everything and see it to the end, regardless of whether there are very serious problems with the script or production, etc. We as actors give so much of our lives to what we do that choosing a project that for whatever reason will make you miserable is just not worth it in my opinion. How do you approach a role in a comedy like “The Last O.G.”? It seems very different from some of your other roles. Which genre do you like best? Great question. As you’ll see when it comes out later next spring, much of the comedy in that The Last O.G. scene has already been set up in the situation by the writers. So, I consider myself lucky to get the chance to work with great writers. I think with comedy it’s useful to play with a variety of choices and options to explore all the kinds of options and directions you can take a character or his moments. Funny enough, I had always considered myself a dramatic actor and had gravitated to that kind of material when I was initially studying acting and working professionally. But recently, especially in my writing as well, I’ve found a lot of great and rewarding opportunities working on great comedy series with wonderful talented comedians. I try not to think of it as I’m either doing one or the other. Every character, just as every person in real life and every moment (scripted or real) has the potential and depth of both comedy as well as drama. Being that you are versatile in your abilities, do you ever have issues with being typecast? Check! I think many actors run into some version of this. But certainly being an ethnic actor, an Asian male no less, I’ve encountered a very particular kind of stereotyping. But, things are slowly changing and this year for me has been a great example of how much more inclusion there is in the industry and I’ve had the opportunity to play a variety of roles across a pretty broad range of shows. That has been wonderful but for myself and anyone else who feels typecast, I really feel like we live in a wonderful time where it’s never been easier to create for yourself those quality, three-dimensional roles that you feel are an honest portrayal of someone with your background. So, be the change you want to see! TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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What did you enjoy most about recurring as Kal on AMC’s, “The Walking Dead”? Especially in seasons 6 through 8, Kal has a pretty awesome and characteristic haircut that when combined with the detailed wardrobe, props, set, makeup as well as that hellacious Georgia heat, all synergies to create a really textured, layered portrayal. The hair, makeup and wardrobe teams, as all the teams on the production, are world class and collaborating with them has been really rewarding to create your favorite spear-carrying Hillsider. What is your most memorable moment meeting a fan? A common phrase and moniker in The Walking Dead world is to be called a survivor and our main core group had been called “The Survivors” for quite a long while. So once when I autographed, “You are a true survivor” at a signing event, I was moved to learn that she was in fact a survivor of domestic violence and how my note as well as the show as a whole meant so much to her on a whole new level. Moments like that are really incredible and make me love and appreciate our fans all the more. Season 2 of “Iron Fist” was released recently. For those who haven’t seen it yet (like myself), what can we expect from your character? Just all the Oscars popping out of my ears the entire time! But seriously, Sam Chung is a dedicated and loyal leader at the Chinatown Bayard Community Center. I work with Colleen Wing to organize events for the people of Chinatown via clothing drives, spring festival celebrations, food drives, etc. and when danger descends upon our world, Sam steps up to provide whatever support he can to Danny and Colleen while making the protection and safety of his community members a priority. Being that Marvel won’t be releasing their next 2 major films for awhile, Netflix series like “Iron Fist” are great to tide fans over in the meantime. Like I said before, I haven’t seen the show yet (but plan to). Is there any particular order that we should watch these shows in, which include The Defenders, Jessica Jones, etc.? Hmm…Good question. If you track the chronology of when the series were released, I believe Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders and the subsequent 2nd (and 3rd) seasons of those shows, you’ll find that they build nicely upon one another, occasionally referring to plot and characters in other shows and even having some cool crossovers. Dope. We also understand you will be recurring on the TV show, “FBI”. What is your character like on that one? Oh, I play the super fun, super smart and super dry-witted Ian Lim (occasionally referred to as Ian Lentz). I’m a member of the FBI’s Computer Analysis and Response Team (CART) and I think the only reason I’m not making millions in Silicon Valley is because of the adrenaline rush of solving such high-pressure cases and outsmarting unethical people. It’s a worthy challenge for his abilities and I get to collaborate TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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with equally brilliant minds of other field agents and experts in the command center. The knowledge that you’re responsible for protecting national security is I think Ian’s version of being a superhero. How did you feel about,“Crazy Rich Asians”? Have you seen it yet and if so, what did you think? I did see it and I thought it was great on so many levels. I think optically, it’s crucial to have such a big studio film made to send the message that, “Yes we (Asians and Asian-Americans) are here, we matter, we have stories and in many ways these stories are just like ones you’ve had yourself or heard of too. I still think we need to full court press this kind of Asian representation because there is a lot of racist unsavory history we still need to overcome in order to normalize Asian faces and experiences. So, for all those reasons it was a relief to finally see it and I was very proud that it did and continues to do so well! I thought the movie was really fun and glamorous and I’m so proud of the talented leads. The first project I did out of school was in an indie film that Constance (Wu) was also in and I am beyond proud and beaming to see how far she’s come. What does “self-love” mean to you? I think self-love is accepting yourself for who you are and loving who and what that is. We all can and should continue to improve and develop personally but at this particular current moment we can only be who and what we are and that in itself is perfect.
QUEENS STAND UP! “In my opinion, in the past Hollywood has done a poor job of depicting Africa or countries within the African continent in film. It just never felt like they had done their homework. It felt like they were throwing stuff together and making it up as they went along for added value. That always bothered me and other Africans. We felt disrespected and that our opinions didn’t count. So with Black Panther, for the first time in a very, very long time, Africa was thoroughly researched and given its just due. I believe that is one of the reasons why Black Panther has been so successful around the globe. I just hope the benchmark has been set and it doesn’t slide back.” - Sope Aluko, Actress (Feature: Issue #50) Photo: Gray Hammer “Black mental health is so important on a personal level and for the black community to take our mental health seriously. If our leg is hurting, we’re not ashamed to go to the doctor and say we’re having leg pain so if something in our mind isn’t going right, if our mental health isn’t right, we shouldn’t feel ashamed coming forth and telling somebody. There are a lot of things we internalize as black people. We go through a lot, you know. Racism is real! We go through a lot of stuff from society and it’s important for us to embrace our mental health and love ourselves through that avenue. ” - Christiana Danielle, Music Artist (Feature: Issue #50) Photo: Michael D. Johnson “You have to understand commitment and be willing to commit. Again it’s about being ready. Are you spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and financially ready? You attract that which you are. We are magnets. We attract like energy all the time and if your mind isn’t right, you’re going to attract somebody whose mind isn’t right. So, it’s important that women set the standard. They need to set it and stick to it but also be willing to be flexible because some of our expectations can be unrealistic. Expectations ruin relationships, especially unrealistic ones. So, prepare yourself for your husband and be ready because it takes two. It’s not a 50/50 situation. It’s a 100/100 situation.” - Adina Howard, Music Artist/Entrepreneur (Cover Story: Issue #40) Photo: Colby Files To read the full versions of these interviews, visit us at www.twenty4sevenmagazine.com.
Name something you like to do that people think is weird. Hmmm…so I freckle easily and often am in full shade troll mode. When I’m walking down the street and have to stop at an intersection to wait for a light, I’ll find that one 8 inch sliver of shadow cast by a street lamp, stand in that shadow, and wait there until it’s clear to cross and find the next bit of shade. Haha oh my god, I don’t think I’ve mentioned that to anyone before…I’m such a weirdo. Who are your “Top 5” MMA fighters of all time? Not a definitive list but…DUH, Khabib and McGregor (what a fight!), George St. Pierre, Anderson Silva and DUH again, the godfather himself, Bruce Lee. What is next for James Chen? I’ve got an amazing guest coming up on Madam Secretary next month. I also have Broad City and The Last O.G. guest spots airing next spring and an indie film I worked on last summer called Fluidity is coming out later this fall. I’ve also been writing more and can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve been making. Follow James Chen on Instagram @jameschennyc, on Twitter @jamesCchen and at facebook.com/jameschenactor. His website is www.jamesCchen.com.
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SER’DARIUS BLAIN FINDING ONE’S DIVINE PURPOSE Words + Interview By: Tyrone Davis PHOTOS: TELENA CASSELL
Ser’Darius Blain is an actor and director, known for his roles in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”, “The Last Full Measure” and also the CW’s “Charmed” reboot. Aside from acting, Ser’Darius and I spoke about mental health, having faith, mentorship and more. He has found his divine purpose and believes it is to help others find their own. Enjoy!
How did you grow up? I had a good childhood growing up in Miami. I think 90s kids had the last good, pure childhood experience. We played until the streetlights came on, could trust our community for the most part and just had a lot of fun in the heat. I grew up in a multicultural home (Haitian/Dominican/American) so we ate good, laughed too much and always had great music. I loved my childhood. A lot of aspiring entertainers move to other cities to get ahead and it takes a lot of courage to do so. What made you decide that NYC was the place for you and what were some of the obstacles you faced when you got there? I chose to move to New York to start my career because I was offered a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. A New York acting education is one of the best in the world so it was a no-brainer for me. The city was a great breeding ground for toughness and manhood for me. I learned how to make it through struggles there. You have to have multiple jobs to survive if you’re not rich there so, I had 3! I was exhausted but I wanted everything I got. Over the years, NYC has become one of my favorite places to visit. I love the culture and I feel like those who haven’t had the opportunity to travel abroad yet can somewhat experience “the world” in one place. Also, it’s the birthplace of Hip Hop and I can feel it when there, similar to how I feel riding in Atlanta. What do you like most about NYC? New York is a cultural and artistic melting pot. You literally get the sense of having the entire world in one city. Everyone from around the world is represented there including their music, art, food and languages. Living there definitely gave me an appetite for culture and growth. Some of the smartest and most socially conscious people I know, I met in New York City. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. With that being said, NYC is being gentrified like majority of the cities in this country. What’s your take on it? Gentrification is always going to be present when there is high demand for people to live there. It’s happened since the dawn of time. Unfortunately, our country was founded on capitalism so as long as that’s the primary focus, it will always happen. The people have to take back ownership of their neighborhoods so they can call their own shots moving forward. That’s my focus...own my stuff. TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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How is Dubai unlike any other place in the world? What did you learn while there that stood out to you most? Dubai was incredible when I visited last year. The people were extremely hospitable and cultured. Everything there is done on a grand scale. The buildings and architecture, the landscapes and the night life. It’s like Vegas on steroids because of the incredible amount of wealth and opulence there. With that being said, I was a bit surprised at the number of rules there. It’s a Muslim country so some of the rules about public affection and differences between gender roles there is surprising. Let’s get into acting a bit. How did you feel when you landed the role in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”? When I booked Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, I didn’t believe it. I honestly thought it was a mistake, lol. Things like that just don’t happen to me so I was in shock for months. I still am (in shock) but I’m so grateful. What was the most memorable moment on set for you? The most memorable moment on set for me was actually the last day when we were shooting the scene getting sucked into the video game. It finally really hit me that I was working on Jumanji. I lost it! I screamed to the top of my lungs, “I f***ing love my job!!” Tell us about the upcoming film, “The Last Full Measure”. The Last Full Measure follows the true story of a White House aid who is interviewing a group of veterans who are all determined to get a posthumous Medal of Honor for the fallen soldier (William Pittsenbarger) who saved their lives over 30 years prior. I play a young Samuel L. Jackson in 1966 who was saved by him as well. I’m really excited for everyone to see it. Being that you’ve played the younger versions of characters played by Kevin Hart and Samuel L. Jackson and wouldn’t share screen time with them, were you able to work with them behind the scenes in the development of the characters? If so, is there anything noteworthy that you learned from them? I was able to work with Kevin behind the scenes and study some of his expressions and body movements. He’s got a huge personality and fills up every room he’s in so trying to fill his shoes is tough. I haven’t had a chance to work with Sam yet TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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but hopefully I will soon. After completing an emotional scene like the front yard scene in “When The Game Stands Tall”, do you snap back into yourself or does the sadness linger? In other words, can you turn it on and off? If so, how? It was really hard for me to “snap out of it” while I was filming When the Game Stands Tall and Chicago PD. I know a lot of actors that are able to switch gears easily but for me, I have to be completely submersed in the emotion in order for it to look real. I have to really experience it. I’ve learned to find fun things to do when I’m not shooting so I don’t fall into depression. You have to learn to protect your emotions. In real life, who wins the breakdancing battle between you and David Mann (Mr. Brown)? Haha in real life, David Mann wins 10/10 dance battles against me, lol. The big man can seriously move. It’s impressive. He’s also one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with. Can you tell us about the CW’s “Charmed” reboot? What is your role in the series? I’m really proud to be part it. I think it’s great that the show came back. We have another generation to fall in love with magic and the Charmed sisters.…Magic is universal, so it will be great to see it from the Latino perspective on this show. I play Gavin, I work in the genetics lab with Macy, one of the sisters. I’m a nice guy showing her around to her new surroundings. She just moved into town. I am part of the welcoming committee. What has been your favorite experience on film to date and why? I have several favorite filming experiences to date for different reasons. Footloose because it was my first opportunity, When The Game Stands Tall because of the camaraderie and The Last Full Measure because our director Todd Robinson really let me spread my wings and bring creativity to my character. Your “Top 5” favorite films…..Go. My top 5 favorite films (In no particular order) are Mystic River, Love and Basketball, Remember the Titans, What’s eating Gilbert Grape and The Lion King. You have a voice credit on “Grand Theft Auto V”. What was that process like and have you played the game? I honestly didn’t even know what video game I was recording when I did the voice over for GTA 5. They kept it super secretive. I haven’t played it yet actually. Being an entertainer yourself, how do you feel about the relationship between entertainers, the media, social media and the general public? We live in an invasive social media age where everyone feels the need to display the best and most private parts of their lives online. I just feel like the greatest moments of your life should be lived and experienced. Privacy means a lot to me TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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but I also understand the importance of connecting to your fans and letting them in to get to know you. It’s all about balance.
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What’s your take on mental health within our community? Mental health is looked at as a shameful and embarrassing subject in our country. Inversely, other progressive countries view it as a simple health issue that can be fixed with modern medicine or therapy. We have to stop looking at people with mental health issues as broken or discardable and start addressing the fact that it’s much more prevalent than we let on or admit. I think it’s part of the reason we have so many displays of violence in our society. Explain the importance of mentorship. Mentorship is monumentally important in my opinion because having someone with experience to help guide you always makes your path easier. It’s humbling to ask for help when needed and advice can help prevent you from making detrimental mistakes. I’m grateful for my mentors. What kind of advice could you give aspiring entertainers who are just starting out? I always tell aspiring entertainers to constantly obsess over learning. Keep pushing the limits to learn as much as possible and make yourself indispensable. Also, make sure you have a consistent way to make money while you’re on your journey. So many dreams and creativity can be killed by worrying about money. Tell us something about yourself that most don’t know. Most people don’t know I’m huge cooking aficionado. Restaurants and cooking are my passion and I’m probably a better chef than actor! What does having faith mean to you? My mom raised me on faith. God is a huge part of my life and his presence and grace has gotten me through some really tough times. I watched my mom believe and have hope all my life and she taught me how to weather some rough storms. What is your “divine purpose”? My divine purpose is to lead people to their destinies and to help them find the gifts within them and help display it to the world so they can save others. I’m here to lead people towards greatness and make being humane and decent fashionable again. There’s way too much selfishness in the world. How can you be reached on social media? You can find me on Instagram/Twitter: @SerDariusBlain and on Facebook: Ser’Darius Blain. Any last words? If you’re not doing what makes you happy, you’re doing life wrong...
TWEET DAT!
@OfficiallyIce: Some of y’all old seasoned heauxs should form some kind of heaux university and teach these young heauxs.
@jonathanmena: Everyone is Tax’s friend until it’s time to send a letter, picture or some bread. @itstracyg: to anyoneout there still wanting to enter the entertainment industry, i pray for the maintenance of your light, cause it’s DARK over on this side @amandaseales: The gift/curse of social media as an artist is u have a resource for market research but it also an ego driven conduit to sharing unsolicited criticism. @TheKitchenista: Delivery drivers wildin lately... empty boxes of food, eating your food, posting your food to social media like they cooked it. What’s next? @TalidKweli: Today I performed Get By at a prison. I do that song like 200 times a year. But performing it in front of those locked up reminded me that many of the lyrics in Get By are about prison reform. It was an eye opening experience to hear ones own lyrics for the first time...
#THESHOPHBO
@tamaradhia: The format of #TheShopHBO is so good it seems like Drake forgot the cameras were rolling and just spilled all the tea. It felt like we were eavesdropping on a genuine conversation we weren’t supposed to hear. LeBron stays winning @AposThriceGreat: Did yall notice? Drake doesn’t use space-filling interjections like “umm” or “uhh” when he’s thinking about what to say next. He just pauses for a moment. It really draws you in. He’s a phenomenal public speaker. Goals. #TheShopHBO @DefMohamedM: Yall didn’t snap..you used Kanye for ratings..and portrayed him as the devil. Drake got the timeline of events wrong and nobody corrected him or anything.. guess ye was right, he “turned the clout game up a notch.” Enjoy those episode 2 ratings, they won’t last long. #TheShopHBO @gardensflower36: Kanye is a snake, he knew exactly what he was doing to Drake. He set that man up all along, that’s why his album is trash and his life is in shambles. #TheShopHBO @CallherLC: So let me get this straight you don’t like LeBron or Drake, but you sat there for 30mins watching them both on #TheShopHBO just to come to Twitter & talk trash about how you don’t like them @smoaksqueen: the 40 shit really pissed drake off. #TheShopHBO @BrooklynGodSun: Man say what you want about Bron but you gotta respect him for using his platform to the upmost high he’s my GOAT not up for debate #TheShopHBO
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JEREMY RAY TAYLOR THE “IT” FACTOR Words + Interview By: Tyrone Davis Newcomer, Jeremy Ray Taylor is a young actor who has already become part of some classic material, starring as Ben Hanscom in the remakes of Stephen King’s “It” and the upcoming “It: Chapter Two”. Growing up on a farm in TN, Jeremy and I discussed farm life, working on set and his Youtube channel, “Just Being Jeremy”. Also, Jeremy can be seen in the film,“Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween” which is now playing in theaters. Make sure you all go and see it.
What has childhood been like for you, prior to acting in major films? I feel like I had a pretty normal childhood living on a farm in East TN. My brothers and I were all homeschool students so that was a little different, but normal for us. What are some of the pros/cons of growing up on a farm? Growing up on a farm is a lot of hard work! Some would call it a pro because you do learn a strong work ethic. It is also such a beautiful place! Lots of fun animals to play with and take care of. Did I mention it is a lot of hard work? Is your goat “Gilby” still around? Does he/she suffer from myotonia congenita(when goats seem to faint)? Sadly, Gilbert has passed......We don’t have any fainting goats, but I wish! Are you still being homeschooled? What was/is the experience like? I am homeschooling currently and honestly, I love it! We get all the same perks of public school kids, just not all the long days in class! Explain “Co-op”. Co-op is basically like school. We go once a week and sit in on lectures and structured classes from some amazing teachers. After the weekly lectures we then have online instruction/homework. It is great! PHOTOS: BENJAMIN TAYLOR FOR SISU INTUITION
You have some great tiles on your acting resume. How did you get started? Actually, about 8 years ago I was discovered in Nashville, quite by accident. I had never considered being an actor but I loved making people laugh. I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time. Considering you have a few siblings, are you the only one going down this particular path? Currently, it is only me. My brother Benjamin did start out on the same path, but quickly found a passion for the other side of the camera! He is now a photographer and videographer.
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What was a major obstacle for you when you landed the role of Ben Hanscom in the “It” remake? We had only been to Hollywood one other time to shoot a pilot when I landed the role. It was quite intimidating meeting the other kids! Some of them I had already seen in movies. Learning to work long hours every day was probably the toughest part, but it was always fun! Were you familiar with the original film prior to landing the role? I was not familiar with the original film, but my parents were. I was only 12 when I got the role, so reading the book or watching the movie was a big NO! Plus, I wasn’t a fan of horror movies! WAY too scary for me! This new version of “It” is actually the first remake that I can think of that I enjoyed more than the original (when the original came out in my lifetime). You guys nailed it. What did you enjoy most during filming? Thank you so much! That is a huge compliment! I think the part I most enjoyed was meeting all seven of the losers and the bullies too of course! I know from this movie I have taken away lifelong friends. It was a fantastic experience!! Are there any points during the film that you were genuinely scared? With all the camera, lights and people around, it is hard to be genuinely scared. However, when Skarsgard prepares for a scene, the whole atmosphere changes! Let’s just say, I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley in real life, as Pennywise!! Scene prep with the bullies was also intense. Everyone is amping up and getting ready to act like they are going to kill me, so yeah, that’s a little scary! Ben should have gotten the girl. Do you agree or disagree and why? Ben 100% should have gotten the girl! Thank you! I mean, he was an amazing sweetheart, writing her cute poems, saving her from death, etc. He’s nice, cute and relatable! She was crazy not to fall for him, but they don’t....until they grow up!! What did you learn most from Brandon Crane and TWENTY4SEVEN MAGAZINE
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>> ON LOCATION Marlon Taylor, who played Ben Hanscom and Mike Hanlon in the original “It” film? Those guys are amazing! They are so funny and were so gracious to us! I did learn that they were quite the trouble makers on set! You’ll have to ask them about that, Haha! What can we expect in “It: Chapter Two”? So many things! You can expect to see some glimpses of the kids again for sure. But it will be 10 times scarier and the adult characters are SPOT ON! Andy Muschietti, the director, warns everyone to bring their adult diapers. I’m not sure I’m going to make it through the whole movie! Tell us about the recently released, “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween” and your role as Sonny Quinn”. I am SO excited about Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween. Sonny Quinn is a science nerd who stumbles on an RL Stine book and unknowingly brings Halloween to life. It is a fantastic mix of comedy, spookiness and just a great movie for the whole family. When I was a kid, I had majority of the first 27 Goosebumps books and I still read them from time to time. I’m hurt that I never got the full collection. Have you ever read any of them and also, can you put in a word with somebody and have them get me the full collection (original artwork only though)? Lol, jk. I will see what I can do for sure! I did get to meet RL Stine but not sure I have much pull! I can, however, hook you up with the new Scholastic book titled after our movie, lol! I myself have never read a Goosebumps book but my older brothers were very interested and read a lot of them growing up. They also watched the TV show. With the technology we have today, I’d love to see “Goosebumps” as a series or standalone films focusing on each book (not like the Nickelodeon version). Have you heard similar opinions? What do you think? I would much like to see that myself! Maybe they’ll let us star in it! Explain the process of acting when the actor you’re interacting with is a CGI character. CGI is crazy! Working with something that isn’t there is very strange but lots of fun! It is so weird punching something or talking to stuff that isn’t there. You know, like gummy bears stuck to your head, Haha!
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What’s up with your Youtube channel, “Just Being Jeremy”? When/Are you coming back? Oh man! My Youtube channel started so long ago! It is always so fun to do! I always just wanted to get across that we all have to be ourselves while having a little fun. With my schedule, I have been unable to do it as much as I would like. Maybe you’ll see a comeback really soon..... Were you editing your own videos early on? My brother Benjamin and sister Logan have always helped me create and edit my videos. They have been with me from the beginning and I hope we do a lot more together! What is your favorite and why? A) 3 words Squirt, Moist, Succulent. I don’t know why to be honest, probably because they really get a reaction from most people. B) Film based on farm life Who doesn’t love Babe or Son in Law?! It would be fun to make a movie about farm life. Either funny or serious. C) Game (Video, Board, etc.) That’s easy! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 D) Artist (Any genre) Lin-Manuel Miranda. I have listened to Hamilton a million times. How has working in Hollywood been for someone your age? What have you learned? It has been a lot of fun but sometimes intimidating. I feel I have learned a stronger work ethic and I have learned that it is good to go back to the farm to stay grounded in who I am. Tell us something about yourself that most don’t know. I have never read or seen any of the Harry Potter series. Sorry guys..... What’s next for Jeremy Ray Taylor? Only time will tell! I look forward to meeting people at Comic-Cons coming up in Rhode Island, Argentina, and Monterrey Mexico plus of course, snagging that next role! How can people reach you on social media? All my tags are @jeremyraytaylor, plus my Youtube @JustBeingJeremy.
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CHECK ME OUT STEWE LAST FOREVER
running from love.” No stranger to posing the tough and racy questions, Stewe is now turning the mic on himself to talk about love and where his generation is missing the mark in terms of relationships. Love Me, Love Me Not is led by a power single called “Last Forever” that really taps into a possessiveness and obsession that can result in a fatal outcome. The visual for the track shot and directed by Marty Mcfly, will most certainly give Stewe supporters and new fans something to think about. BMB Records added Stewe to its roster in 2017, and now with the release of Love Me, Love Me Not, the indie label has placed him at the top of their 2018 4th Quarter priority list.
DETROIT, MI - BMB Records announces the release of vocalist and hip-hop artist Stewe’s single “Last Forever” from his new EP Love Me, Love Me Not. The promising 6-song EP produced by BMB beatmaker Dre Butterz, featuring Kevo Hendricks and Kid HBK is track after track of melodic heat and ballad-esque bangers. “I’ve been working on this project for about a year and I’m so proud of this body of work. This music is the most ‘me’ I’ve ever created. It really gets personal and is inspired by real stories, feelings, emotions from my relationships and love interests,” expressed Stewe (/stooē/). The charismatic Stewe makes it clear, “Love Me, Love Me Not comes with a WARNING: The content you will hear is some real a** sh*t that many of you may not be willing to accept. Stewe asks, “Does anyone else feel the love lost in our generation? I mean it’s a 60% divorce rate right now. Everybody f*cking everybody. Side b*tches/n*ggas are an actual THING. It’s like people are actually
BMB Entertainment CEO Brian M Brown describes the project as “much needed”, and Stewe as “special”. The Motor City music mogul explained his nontraditional approach to signing and breaking artists. “I have to be soulfully inspired, I operate out of love, that’s what motivates me.” Brown further explains, “The recording industry as a whole is driven by the numbers and analytics, and I completely understand that, as this is a business however for BMB Records, it has to go way beyond that. Take Stewe for example, he attracts adoration and commands the attention of everyone he encounters, he’s well-dressed, a lady magnet, popular locally, on the radio every week and is immensely talented, but the truth is, he wasn’t moving any units.”
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That’s all about to change. Brown makes it clear, however, that with Stewe it’s not a numbers game. “I have found some form of attachment beyond the music, and potential for sales, I want to see that young man win no matter what it takes. I’m putting the whole machine behind his movement.” Like Brown, Stewe is a Detroit native who has made his mark as a sought-after event host, actor, on-air radio personality on the city’s Radio One station; HOT 107.5. He’s always had ambitions to pursue a music career, and earlier this year he had the opportunity to tour with Tee Grizzley and Jeezy’s on the Cold Summer Tour. Click to check out Stewe SWAG Surfin with T Grizzley! Love Me, Love Me Not (BMB Records), is now available for purchase on all digital platforms. To learn more about Stewe visit www.itsmestewe.com, to arrange an interview or other business inquiries contact Trea Davenport, BMB Entertainment at treadaypr@gmail.com.
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STRICTLY BUSINESS
issue #51 2018
JEREMY RAY
TAYLOR
+ Ser’Darius Blaine. Salvador Chacon. James Chen. Stewe. #TheShopHBO.
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