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BLACK SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: OMAR BENSON MILLER cont...
Has there ever been a moment where you felt like giving it all up, like after not
getting a role you really wanted?
I don't believe there has been any circumstances that have made me want to give it up
because this is what I love to do. There has been frustrating times that make me rethink
whether I should be living in California, New York City or Chicago or London maybe, places
where the Arts are appreciated in different ways. The movie industry is a business, it's not
about the art. It's about making money. That's why you get a lot of cookie cutter-looking
people who may be less talented but they look good on screen. I am involved more on the
artistic side than the business side. I was hired to play Fat Albert and we were two weeks
from shooting. It was a very discouraging period because I really wanted that role but then it
worked out for the best for me because I got to do other things.
Now, you have done something that a lot of men would love to do and that is work
alongside Halle Berry. How was it working with her?
(laughs) Halle was great. A real professional. Real cool. She will come up to you and ask you
how's your day going. She does things that you wouldn't expect from the biggest movie star
in the world. Very down-to-earth. None of that don't look her eye-type foolishness. Beyond the
fact that she is very easy on the eyes, she's great to work with.
Who is someone you would like to work with? Here’s your chance to announce it.
There are a lot of people I would like to work with director-wise. I would like to work with
Steven Spielberg more thoroughly. George Lucas. Sam Rockwell, who is a well-known actor.
I would like to work with Sean Penn also.
You have a great steady work history, something a lot of actors would kill for. What
is it that you’re doing differently?
When I go in for an audition, I am fully prepared. That way, when I leave out the room, they
have no choice but to consider me for the role regardless if it is written for a giant or not. I
practice my craft as often as possible and I try to stay on top of things.
How often do you go on auditions?
Not too frequently. I just got back from Italy from shooting a film with Spike Lee. Since I've
been back, I've been out on one or two. Sometimes they will hire me based off another film.
Every film I do is an audition for the next film.
You just mentioned that you were involved in a Spike Lee film. It's called Miracle at
St. Anna, right? Tell me about it.
getting a role you really wanted?
I don't believe there has been any circumstances that have made me want to give it up
because this is what I love to do. There has been frustrating times that make me rethink
whether I should be living in California, New York City or Chicago or London maybe, places
where the Arts are appreciated in different ways. The movie industry is a business, it's not
about the art. It's about making money. That's why you get a lot of cookie cutter-looking
people who may be less talented but they look good on screen. I am involved more on the
artistic side than the business side. I was hired to play Fat Albert and we were two weeks
from shooting. It was a very discouraging period because I really wanted that role but then it
worked out for the best for me because I got to do other things.
Now, you have done something that a lot of men would love to do and that is work
alongside Halle Berry. How was it working with her?
(laughs) Halle was great. A real professional. Real cool. She will come up to you and ask you
how's your day going. She does things that you wouldn't expect from the biggest movie star
in the world. Very down-to-earth. None of that don't look her eye-type foolishness. Beyond the
fact that she is very easy on the eyes, she's great to work with.
Who is someone you would like to work with? Here’s your chance to announce it.
There are a lot of people I would like to work with director-wise. I would like to work with
Steven Spielberg more thoroughly. George Lucas. Sam Rockwell, who is a well-known actor.
I would like to work with Sean Penn also.
You have a great steady work history, something a lot of actors would kill for. What
is it that you’re doing differently?
When I go in for an audition, I am fully prepared. That way, when I leave out the room, they
have no choice but to consider me for the role regardless if it is written for a giant or not. I
practice my craft as often as possible and I try to stay on top of things.
How often do you go on auditions?
Not too frequently. I just got back from Italy from shooting a film with Spike Lee. Since I've
been back, I've been out on one or two. Sometimes they will hire me based off another film.
Every film I do is an audition for the next film.
You just mentioned that you were involved in a Spike Lee film. It's called Miracle at
St. Anna, right? Tell me about it.
Pictured(l-r) Actors Omar
Benson Miller and Michael
Ealy in Miracle at St. Anna
(40 Acres & A Mule/Walt
Disney)
Benson Miller and Michael
Ealy in Miracle at St. Anna
(40 Acres & A Mule/Walt
Disney)
THE BLACK SPOTLIGHT
Shining A Light on African American Entertainment & Culture