I’ve always loved these pictures of @tarajiphenson and I!!! We went to an event with our beloved, mutual friend, Tamara “Gingir” Curry (3rd pic, may she rest in peace🙏🏾), and when we got to the red carpet, she grabbed me and said something to the affect of, “Let’s give them something to talk about!” That’s why we appear so cozy… 😂😂😂 However, my fondest memory of her is one night in my apartment, a group of actors were hanging out talking about the business. One in particular kept saying how impossible it is to succeed. As if trying to block out the negative vibes, Taraji closed her eyes and held a single finger in the air as she kept saying repeatedly, “All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes…” When Taraji moved to LA it was like a lightning bolt had arrived with a suitcase and a small child. Her talent, optimism and sheer will were striking to me and everyone she came in contact with. I pray nothing ever takes that away… Much Love to you, Taraji! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I’ve always loved these pictures of @tarajiphenson and I!!! We went to an event with our beloved, mutual friend, Tamara “Gingir” Curry (3rd pic, may she rest in peace🙏🏾), and when we got to the red carpet, she grabbed me and said something to the affect of, “Let’s give them something to talk about!” That’s why we appear so cozy… 😂😂😂 However, my fondest memory of her is one night in my apartment, a group of actors were hanging out talking about the business. One in particular kept saying how impossible it is to succeed. As if trying to block out the negative vibes, Taraji closed her eyes and held a single finger in the air as she kept saying repeatedly, “All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes…” When Taraji moved to LA it was like a lightning bolt had arrived with a suitcase and a small child. Her talent, optimism and sheer will were striking to me and everyone she came in contact with. I pray nothing ever takes that away… Much Love to you, Taraji! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I’ve always loved these pictures of @tarajiphenson and I!!! We went to an event with our beloved, mutual friend, Tamara “Gingir” Curry (3rd pic, may she rest in peace🙏🏾), and when we got to the red carpet, she grabbed me and said something to the affect of, “Let’s give them something to talk about!” That’s why we appear so cozy… 😂😂😂 However, my fondest memory of her is one night in my apartment, a group of actors were hanging out talking about the business. One in particular kept saying how impossible it is to succeed. As if trying to block out the negative vibes, Taraji closed her eyes and held a single finger in the air as she kept saying repeatedly, “All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes. All it takes is one yes…” When Taraji moved to LA it was like a lightning bolt had arrived with a suitcase and a small child. Her talent, optimism and sheer will were striking to me and everyone she came in contact with. I pray nothing ever takes that away… Much Love to you, Taraji! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎄🎄🎄🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
The definition of irony is me leaving the theatre after watching @americanfictionmovie, which I found to be fresh, intelligent, hilarious, excellently written and beautifully directed by @cordjefferson, when I overhear a white woman saying she thought the movie was “silly” and “made for white people.” Since she was right behind me in the line waiting to get validated, I inserted myself in her conversation and said, “not at all…” She said, “you didn’t think it was made for white people?” I replied, “absolutely not!” You will have to see the movie to understand how ironic the conversation was, but this is one of my favorite films of the year so far! The cast was superb and the music by @laurakarpman was out of this world! And sidebar: seeing my old neighbor @sterlingkbrown kissing on menz was not something I knew I needed in my life (apologies to his wife @ryanmichelleb). As far as the whole “straight actor/gay role” debate is concerned, I APPROVE! 😂😂😂 In all seriousness, it was nice to see him in the Angelina Jolie/Girl, Interrupted role (aka the wild child) which he executed wonderfully. @jfreewright ate per usual. @erikaalexanderthegreat as the love interest…nice piece of casting and @traceeellisross’ post @blackishabc film career is 🔥🔥🔥!!! Shout out to the DP, #ChristinaDunlap, who deserves her 10’s!!! Haven’t done one of these in a while: #reviewsbyjaugust
One of my goals for “Being a Series Regular” is to empower actors financially. Conventional “wisdom” tells you have to live a certain lifestyle or hire a particular team when the truth is, financial security the real flex!!! I’ve watched too many actors squander the check to chase a facade… @sarahwaynecallies and I got super real yesterday and I was happy to hear her co-sign everything I say in the course… Enroll at www.beingaseriesregular.com [Link in bio]
I set out to write a course specifically about “Being a Series Regular” because, having done it seven times, I realized no one gives you a “how to” manual on executing this rather complex position. Whether you hope to be a series regular, have done it before or several times, I believe there’s something in it for everyone because #beingaseriesregular is not a final destination but an ongoing opportunity to grow as an artist and develop your business acumen. Enroll at www.beingaseriesregular.com [Link in bio]. #selftape #actingclass #actingtips #actorlife #theatreschool #actingworkshop
Screaming “CONGRATULATIONS!!!” to one of the young ladies on my management team, the one and only, @torirobertson__!!! It’s so amazing to watch such a poised and lovely human being such as you be promoted to full blown Talent Manager!!! Very wise, @adamgriffin4!!! And congratulations to the entire team at @vaultentertainment!!! #goodthingsgoodpeople
The Cosby Show Story We Recently Sat Down With Actor, J. August Richards (@jaugustrichards) Who Has Been A Series Regular On Many Of Popular Shows Such As ‘Coucil of Dads,’ ‘Kevin (Probably) Saves The World,’ ‘Angel,’ ‘Vampire Academy,’ And Many More. He Also Has A Course Called “Being A Series Regular” Where He Goes Through All Of The Ins And Outs Of Being A Series Regular In This Business. In This Clip, He Tells Me The Amazing Story Of How He Landed His First Job And First Role On ‘The Cosby Show.’ ____________________________________________________ #jaugustrichards #writer #writers #writing #screenwriting #screenwriter #screenwriters #blackwriters #blackwriter #blackscreenwriters #screenwritersofcolor #writersofcolor #script #screenplay #actor #actress #actors #blackactors #blackactress #actorsofcolor #producers #film #filmmakers #filmmaker #filmmakersofcolor #independentfilmmaker #indiefilmmaker #indiefilmmakers #theblkscript
TL;DR: At the end of each year, I go through my phone to pick the single pic that best encapsulates the passing year (the first is the winner, the 2nd two are runner-ups). PIC #1 (My 50th Birthday/Surprise Wedding to @joshgbor) There’s a Japanese movie called AFTER LIFE about a group of camp-style counselors who help recently deceased people choose the single memory they wish to spend eternity in. Mine would be this moment… Happiest day of my life!!! (I didn’t even have to go through my phone. I already knew this would be the pic!) PIC #2 (On-set shooting my online course) This year — this course — represents massive growth for me and I could not have done it without my friend and partner on this, @jlovecalderon (who was the also director)!!! Three months to write it, two days to shoot and marketing for the last two months have shown me my skills as a producer have grown exponentially!!! And that’s huge for me because I never thought I’d be a good producer but now, I see how much I’ve grown. So next year, more producing!!! PIC #3 (Striking) This year, I was really proud to dedicate a huge chunk of my time to striking with my union. To be completely honest, my personal reasons for striking were not totally accomplished (no, not AI) but I was proud to fight back with my comrades. I am using my course as a tool to continue the fight and balance what we’ve lost… Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024!!! Much Love, everybody!!! ♥️♥️♥️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎉🎉🎉
TL;DR: At the end of each year, I go through my phone to pick the single pic that best encapsulates the passing year (the first is the winner, the 2nd two are runner-ups). PIC #1 (My 50th Birthday/Surprise Wedding to @joshgbor) There’s a Japanese movie called AFTER LIFE about a group of camp-style counselors who help recently deceased people choose the single memory they wish to spend eternity in. Mine would be this moment… Happiest day of my life!!! (I didn’t even have to go through my phone. I already knew this would be the pic!) PIC #2 (On-set shooting my online course) This year — this course — represents massive growth for me and I could not have done it without my friend and partner on this, @jlovecalderon (who was the also director)!!! Three months to write it, two days to shoot and marketing for the last two months have shown me my skills as a producer have grown exponentially!!! And that’s huge for me because I never thought I’d be a good producer but now, I see how much I’ve grown. So next year, more producing!!! PIC #3 (Striking) This year, I was really proud to dedicate a huge chunk of my time to striking with my union. To be completely honest, my personal reasons for striking were not totally accomplished (no, not AI) but I was proud to fight back with my comrades. I am using my course as a tool to continue the fight and balance what we’ve lost… Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024!!! Much Love, everybody!!! ♥️♥️♥️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎉🎉🎉
TL;DR: At the end of each year, I go through my phone to pick the single pic that best encapsulates the passing year (the first is the winner, the 2nd two are runner-ups). PIC #1 (My 50th Birthday/Surprise Wedding to @joshgbor) There’s a Japanese movie called AFTER LIFE about a group of camp-style counselors who help recently deceased people choose the single memory they wish to spend eternity in. Mine would be this moment… Happiest day of my life!!! (I didn’t even have to go through my phone. I already knew this would be the pic!) PIC #2 (On-set shooting my online course) This year — this course — represents massive growth for me and I could not have done it without my friend and partner on this, @jlovecalderon (who was the also director)!!! Three months to write it, two days to shoot and marketing for the last two months have shown me my skills as a producer have grown exponentially!!! And that’s huge for me because I never thought I’d be a good producer but now, I see how much I’ve grown. So next year, more producing!!! PIC #3 (Striking) This year, I was really proud to dedicate a huge chunk of my time to striking with my union. To be completely honest, my personal reasons for striking were not totally accomplished (no, not AI) but I was proud to fight back with my comrades. I am using my course as a tool to continue the fight and balance what we’ve lost… Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024!!! Much Love, everybody!!! ♥️♥️♥️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🎉🎉🎉
After working out at the same gym franchise for the last 10 years, in 2024 we’re switching things up and trying new t’ings!!! Love a fresh start…
Taking “Being a Series Regular” LIVE and on the road in 2024!!! Had a great time talking to my bro @shakastrong on the @wanderwellliving podcast!!! Met some incredibly dope creatives… Stay tuned for upcoming live events, podcast appearances and very special guests I’ll be going live with this month here on Instagram!!! In the words of Ice Spice, “If you ain’t cookin’ then get off the pot!!!” 😂😂😂🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 📸 by @oliviawong11 👔 by @essentials
Taking “Being a Series Regular” LIVE and on the road in 2024!!! Had a great time talking to my bro @shakastrong on the @wanderwellliving podcast!!! Met some incredibly dope creatives… Stay tuned for upcoming live events, podcast appearances and very special guests I’ll be going live with this month here on Instagram!!! In the words of Ice Spice, “If you ain’t cookin’ then get off the pot!!!” 😂😂😂🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 📸 by @oliviawong11 👔 by @essentials
Taking “Being a Series Regular” LIVE and on the road in 2024!!! Had a great time talking to my bro @shakastrong on the @wanderwellliving podcast!!! Met some incredibly dope creatives… Stay tuned for upcoming live events, podcast appearances and very special guests I’ll be going live with this month here on Instagram!!! In the words of Ice Spice, “If you ain’t cookin’ then get off the pot!!!” 😂😂😂🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 📸 by @oliviawong11 👔 by @essentials
Taking “Being a Series Regular” LIVE and on the road in 2024!!! Had a great time talking to my bro @shakastrong on the @wanderwellliving podcast!!! Met some incredibly dope creatives… Stay tuned for upcoming live events, podcast appearances and very special guests I’ll be going live with this month here on Instagram!!! In the words of Ice Spice, “If you ain’t cookin’ then get off the pot!!!” 😂😂😂🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 📸 by @oliviawong11 👔 by @essentials
When @pauladelstein said yes to going live, I knew the focus of our talk would be process. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with creating the ideal working conditions for my #selftapes so I wanted to ask him what his are. To start the convo, I wanted to ask him about #AndreBraugher who I knew he had worked with on #Brooklyn99 but I didn’t know they also worked together on a cbs show called HACK. As fate would have it, he started talking about Andre’s process which led to me asking Paul about his. Long story short, I wound up with a WORD!!! Basically, Paul said, “create the right inner conditions and the environment will be right to do your best work in…” Point taken! Watch the whole thing for a next-level conversation about acting… #beingaseriesregular #auditions #actorlife #selftape
Another next-level conversation with @pauladelstein focusing on the work of #beingaseriesregular. Great conversation about #AndreBraugher who Paul worked with twice on #Hack and #Brooklyn99. We also talked “shop” about creating the right conditions to do our best work, when to ask for another take and what he learned while serving as a writer at the same time he was a #seriesregular on #girlfriendsguidetodivorce where we met! Thank you, Paul, for the golden pearls of wisdom!!!