LORENZO YEARBY

Talented Filmmaker and Actor

We had the privilege of talking to filmmaker and actor Lorenzo Yearby who just had has big break film debut in The 24th as Lucky. The 24th is an inspirational story as it follows the true story of the Houston Riot of 1917. We see the 24th Infantry is sent to Houston, Texas to oversee the construction for the Illinois National Guard. It’s heartbreaking the racism they endure by the brutal police force and the choices they make. I got a chance to speak with Lorenzo about his role in the film, his thoughts on racism, and his passion for filmmaking

Well Lorenzo is a lot. Lorenzo is an actor, writer, director, producer, musician, cake baker, computer builder, gym rat, basketball player. This guy is a lot. I think my interest in the industry began when I was doing extra work on a film in 2005 entitled “ATL,” and the director Chris Robinson bumped me up to a small role, as the nerd in the film. I had one fall scene in the school as the bell was ringing and another in the skating rink. I was already in love with acting, but when I got the contract is when I figured I can make a living doing this, and I have been pursuing it since then.

Writing and directing came from me seeing a lack of positive representation of Black men in film and TV. So far, there are a lot of very narrow and stereotypical portrayals of Black men. Characters who don’t really expose younger Black men to the different

opportunities there are out there for them. Children are impressionable, as are adults, and they will mirror what they see on screen from people who look like them. I became a writer, then filmmaker to reclaim the identity of Black men and Black people as a whole.

Yes, music is my second love. It helped me escape a lot of tough times in my life. I’m a person who literally likes every genre of music. I’m a big fan of old jazz, neo soul, dubstep, well, as I said, pretty much

all music. I sent in a taped audition for one role, and didn’t hear back for a while. I then received an audition for another role, and I was a little upset because I felt like I wanted the first role I auditioned for. I booked the second role, and when I traveled in town to work on the project, I was finally switched to the role of Lucky. I am very pleased with how things worked out. At the end of the day God always knows where to place you.

The fact it was a true story. I have always felt like I wanted to be a part of a project that was a true story. I felt it was a story that needed to be told. It’s sad to see that more than a hundred years later we are still dealing with the same issues. It is going to take the people with good hearts standing up against police brutality and racism to put a stop to it. Racism should have no place in this world.

Well, before I auditioned for the role, I did not know anything about the Houston Riots of 1917. I did quite a bit of research on Google and Youtube.My favorite scene as Lucky was definitely the courtroom. It allowed me the chance to show some of my emotional range, although I was immersed in Lucky at the time. It was powerful being able to move the hearts of people on set before the film even reached the screen. I love roles that allow me to dig deep, and cause the audience to react, whether it be through laughter, sadness, anger, or fear. If I can cause the audience to feel something, then I have at least done most of the job I was chosen to do.

I have dealt with it growing up, and almost everyday when I leave my home. It’s sad to say racism is so embedded in this country and the south that we get used to it and overlook it. My non-black friends may think I and others never deal with it, but it just happens so much that we have become almost numb to it, and don’t speak about it. Racism happens much more often than what any news headline can keep up with. I have been called the N word, and stared down when driving through the country, really just too many stories to share.

Well, it’s not that it has gotten worse. It’s that racists now have a spokesperson/motivational speaker who dog whistles to them at every opportunity, and it makes them feel empowered and makes them do bold things that have not been done in years. They are working to make our White friends believe Blacks have a hate in their hearts toward White people, which is not true. Constant attempts to divide the country. Divide and Conquer. I do know that non-racists outnumber the racists, and I believe love and unity will win.

All I can say is I put in hard work in everything I do. I’m not one of those actors who cares about the PA bringing him water or how cold the AC is in my 35 trailer. I just want to put in the work. I want to build my resume and legacy in this industry and be known as an actor to look out for.

I think both of us had a smaller amount of screen time and show that gritty, emotional depth. I think we both used some of the things we went through in life in our roles. I can see the comparison but I’m very honored to be talked about in the same conversation as her.

Well, right now COVID-19 is the agent, manager, and producer. COVID-19 kind of decides that. But, I have been talking to some other producers about some projects that are in development right now. One is actually another period piece about an African American man. We’re trying to see what’s happening with that and when they plan on going into production. I’m ready to work.

Pastor Petty was almost like an accident. One day I decided to create this character to work on my writing chops for comedy. I mainly work on dramas and thrillers but I wanted to work on my comedy chops. I decided to act out what I wrote and see how it was received. It kind of took off faster than I thought it would. I did one for the 2017 Superbowl. I posted it and went to bed, and when I woke up the next day, it had like 800,000 views. I just kept it going as an exercise to work on my acting chops. I think a lot of people think I’m a comedian but I’m really just a writer who acts.

No, it’s not my side job, but I love that people appreciate my art. It’s great to have many things in my arsenal, but I want to make sure I brand myself as an actor. Nothing against comedy, but right now in my career I want to be careful not to be branded as a social media comedian. I just want people to know I’m serious about my craft and make sure I brand myself the right way.

Selfless is a short film that began as a push to get myself to film something after studying how to make a film for a while. I told myself I had to put what I had learned into action. I sat down and told myself whatever I wrote in the next 3 hours, would be what I would shoot. I had a shotlist of things I wanted to try and shoot, like an action scene or a night scene. Being that I had limited time I ended writing about things that had happened in my life. So in a way Selfless was sort of a biopic. My mother is full of empathy, and passed it on to me. There would be times when we didn’t have a lot when I was younger, but I would always be trying to help others. There were times when I was young as 17 helping people pay their rent, and buy food. Some of these people used me and had bad intentions, but I learned and became wiser. Till this day that’s why I feel God always looks out for me.

I have been doing a lot of working on my feature screenplays, and trying to make them better. I’ve been putting together a home gym so I can workout at home, and working on my music room. A lot of rough things have happened this year and during quarantine, but I still remain in a positive state of mind.

I am really not sure. I am hoping that things get back in full swing. I actually do miss the big screen. I love that we are in a digital era with streaming, but I love the theater experience.

Same thing I always say: Whatever you do in life, make sure you love it. It may be a cliché, but if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. I tell people the journey of acting is hard. You get a lot of no’s. Sometimes you send in 100-200 auditions a year and only book one or two. You have to be in love with the craft and not be doing this to be famous. That applies to anything in life. Just do what you’re passionate about.

My instagram is @layearby and my Facebook is www.facebook.com/LorenzoYearby. I am the worst at Twitter, but I guess I’ll have to work on that. :)