best that were available for African American artist at the time and really just seizing the moment. When Reginald saw things slowing down a bit, he started to focus on his work as a filmmaker; writing his own projects, focusing on the material that he could be in control of, what he could contribute as a filmmaker to help people along the way, giving them the same opportunity that he had been given earlier in his career. “I think that those of us who have gone through the different arcs within this business understand the necessity of that, to really give people who are deserving an opportunity. A lot of times we get caught up into what Hollywood is selling. It's really not the reality or the best of talent that's necessarily being presented to our audience. When I say our audience I’m speaking directly to the African American community, because there are so many talented actors, male and female that we haven’t even scratched the surface on yet. A lot of times, filmmaker's who haven't necessarily gone through what I’ve gone through don't really understand that you have to go in the room and really challenge the status quo. You just can't sit back and appreciate an opportunity and it just be about you. Putting in the work is still a necessity and you can’t fear the fight. You need to push by opening doors that weren't always available to us. So I find myself doing that, pretty much on every job that I do; really wanting to create better opportunities and exposing talent that is deserving of an opportunity. It's something that has to be a conscious decision, it has to be a conscious thought,” stated Reginald. Reginald continues to keep his mindset focused on creating quality projects, continuing to work as a filmmaker and actor, providing opportunity that will otherwise, not be available if someone doesn’t take up that particular fight. “The only reason why we still have only one Denzel is because enough of us haven't pushed hard enough. I can go
down the list. There's only one of us in each category, but at the same time I know hundreds of deserving filmmakers. I know thousands of deserving actors and we've got to do better. I put that challenge not on Hollywood, but on us, as African American filmmakers, to do better and continue to open avenues and opportunities for people that we already know exist, instead of submitting to the status quo or letting Hollywood define for us who our stars are. I don't want my roses after I'm gone, I want them now. If I can't have one of my own people appreciate that about me, then I have to do that for myself,” Reginald explained. “Today, it’s time to work together and claim our power.” As we went more in depth about Reginald’s filmmaking, we got the inside scope on a major film that he produced, “King of the Evening.” According to the Actor/Producer, of this film it was at the top of his list of favorites. This particular piece spoke to his heart, as it honored African American Men, as well as the unity it showed to keep each character uplifted. Reginald felt like this was what the African American community needed and he wanted to see this film on the big screen. “When I first got the material it spoke to my heart for several reasons: One, being that we don’t, often time, get opportunities to cultivate and really take a look back at our history. I think it’s so important today, that our audience have that opportunity, to be proud of the struggles our ancestors went through and we should never forget that,” he explained. The behind the scene story: Reginald’s agent sent him the script, he read it, fell in love with it and knew he was going to be a part of it. He and his agent had a conversation about him auditioning for the part; however, Reginald had bigger plans. At that moment he had and epiphany and told his agent that he wasn't going to audition for the film,only to receive a response of "What?!"
Reginald T. Dorsey Interview (continued...)