It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
When you start acting – and very successfully – at eight, it’s easy to be jaded, obnoxious, or in rehab by the time you’re say, 12. Elijah Wood ran the gauntlet of childhood fame unscathed (thanks, Mom), only to sign on at 18 to what no one, including Peter Jackson, knew would be one of the most massively successful cinema franchises ever. He could’ve gone a number of ways from there, the most obvious being spending the rest of his career trying to top The Lord of the Rings. But that’s not really Wood’s deal. He chooses interesting filmmakers over star-making roles, loves fulfilling his compulsion to get weird, wonderful stories out in the world, and calls Fantastic Fest his favorite week of the year. Artist? Explorer? Definitely. Calculating careerist? Not so much. “If I’d thought strategically, I might be in a different place, but I’m so happy being where I am.” For someone with no strategy, he’s one of the smartest guys we know.
When you start acting – and very successfully – at eight, it’s easy to be jaded, obnoxious, or in rehab by the time you’re say, 12. Elijah Wood ran the gauntlet of childhood fame unscathed (thanks, Mom), only to sign on at 18 to what no one, including Peter Jackson, knew would be one of the most massively successful cinema franchises ever. He could’ve gone a number of ways from there, the most obvious being spending the rest of his career trying to top The Lord of the Rings. But that’s not really Wood’s deal. He chooses interesting filmmakers over star-making roles, loves fulfilling his compulsion to get weird, wonderful stories out in the world, and calls Fantastic Fest his favorite week of the year. Artist? Explorer? Definitely. Calculating careerist? Not so much. “If I’d thought strategically, I might be in a different place, but I’m so happy being where I am.” For someone with no strategy, he’s one of the smartest guys we know.
When you start acting – and very successfully – at eight, it’s easy to be jaded, obnoxious, or in rehab by the time you’re say, 12. Elijah Wood ran the gauntlet of childhood fame unscathed (thanks, Mom), only to sign on at 18 to what no one, including Peter Jackson, knew would be one of the most massively successful cinema franchises ever. He could’ve gone a number of ways from there, the most obvious being spending the rest of his career trying to top The Lord of the Rings. But that’s not really Wood’s deal. He chooses interesting filmmakers over star-making roles, loves fulfilling his compulsion to get weird, wonderful stories out in the world, and calls Fantastic Fest his favorite week of the year. Artist? Explorer? Definitely. Calculating careerist? Not so much. “If I’d thought strategically, I might be in a different place, but I’m so happy being where I am.” For someone with no strategy, he’s one of the smartest guys we know.
Ricky Carmichael would like to be able to explain what made him The GOAT. The work – figuratively and often literally backbreaking – is a given. But how do you explain split-second instinct, something that you just do? You can’t. So motocross fans and riders everywhere just sat back and watched in awe as he won race after race. It was, after all, what he was expected to do – and did do – from the age of six. He might’ve made it look easy, but it wasn’t. Nor was it always happy. Carmichael talks about his motivation, the strategies he used to beat the best riders in the business, and his decision to retire from racing at 27 (not that there was much left for him to accomplish besides possibly paralyzing himself). Now, he’s seeking his challenges on the other side of the handlebars and finding new joy in the sport that made him a legend.
Ricky Carmichael would like to be able to explain what made him The GOAT. The work – figuratively and often literally backbreaking – is a given. But how do you explain split-second instinct, something that you just do? You can’t. So motocross fans and riders everywhere just sat back and watched in awe as he won race after race. It was, after all, what he was expected to do – and did do – from the age of six. He might’ve made it look easy, but it wasn’t. Nor was it always happy. Carmichael talks about his motivation, the strategies he used to beat the best riders in the business, and his decision to retire from racing at 27 (not that there was much left for him to accomplish besides possibly paralyzing himself). Now, he’s seeking his challenges on the other side of the handlebars and finding new joy in the sport that made him a legend.
