Sistah’sPlace2 had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Timon before the holidays and catch up with him to see what’s going on with him. He is a laid back and humble man destined for greatness. Timon is determined to leave not just a great legacy, but one to be remembered as meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling.
Can you tellus about your current projects that you are working on?
Timon: Well currently, I am not working on any projects in film. Most recently over the summer in Chicago, I filmed 72 Hours in June that was directed by Chicago’s own Christopher Nolen. He is a great producer out of Chicago, not to be confused with the other Christopher Nolan. I played the role of Cleavon “Von” Burkett where I was given the ultimatum to right all the wrongs with women that I had in my life or God (played by Harry Lennix) was going to take me out. It was a lot of fun working on that film. From what I understand it is set to be released Spring of 2015.
More recently I worked on a comedic TV pilot called Life Twirls On written, produced, and directed by Kenya Moore. It’s loosely based on the life of Kenya Moore (from Real Housewives of Atlanta) and her two sisters. They are trying to resolve their differences while going through crossroads in their lives. I played the role of Eric, the best friend to Henry (Kenya’s TV Husband to be). I am hoping that this gets picked up and is something that can be coming down the pipeline. It was really good and a lot of fun to work on and we did get some good feedback on it.
I am taking a break from filming to work on my writing. I am self-publishing my first book called Who The Hell Do I Think I am? The book is a self-help and self-development book. Simply put a concise, plain spoken, straight forward, matter of fact, right in your face, first person evaluation, critique, and fortifier of its reader. I describe it as a quick read and it’s something that struck me one day. It will be out on Amazon soon and I am real excited about it. “I am looking forward to getting that other part of my voice out there… so that my space between my birth and my death have significant weight in the balance of time.”
What attracts you to a particular role that you are considering to play?
Timon: There really are a lot of factors to be considered. I don’t like easy roles. I want a role that is emotionally challenging, physically challenging, and psychologically challenging. By psychological, I mean a role that forces me to have to dig in, do my research, and use my instinct. I want to play a role that has not been done 100 times. I want people to look at the scene and be like,” how did you draw from that?” To play in a scene, if I don’t utter a word that scene speaks volumes. For example, The Walking Deadhas physical grit and is grimy. I would love to play a role like that.
If you could work with any one legendary director, producer, or actor/actress, who would it be and why?
Timon: That is a long list; of course I would love to work with Christopher Nolen again. Working with the entire staff and cast while I was in Chicago filming 72 Hours was the best experience that I had in practicum. I love to work with directors and producers who convey real messages like Ridley Scott. I would have loved to work with his brother Tony Scott, but unfortunately he has passed on. I would love to work with Clint Eastwood. As far of producers, Janine Barrios is an executive producer from TV show Criminal Minds and a powerful sister out of Los Angeles. Other directors include Jermy Saulinier- directed Blue Room , Scott Cooper-directed Out of the Furnace, Kathryn Bigelow- directed The Hurt Locker, Andrew Dominik- directed Killing Them Softly, Scott Walker- directed Frozen Ground. I like movies like these because when you watch them it does not look like a movie set, it looks real. That vision is what I love to be a part of. I want someone watching whether on their laptop or big screen to say, “that looks real.” It captures the essence of the story not just the surroundings. The directors allow the actors to bring the characters to life; not just the writing, the setting, and all the other technical stuff. I like for great directors to allow actors to act. These directors that I have named allow actors to do just that. They give actors the pieces and allow the actors to put the pieces together. In my experience, it makes a more enjoyable filming at least for me it does.
As for Actors, (man Letrise) that I would love to work with: Jeffery Wright, Lenny James, Ed Harris, Tilda Swinton, Harry Lennix (love to work with him again), Andre Braugher, Mireille Enos, Javier Bardem, Alfred Woodward, Billy Campbell, and Sean Penn just to name a few. I have seen them in different roles and they embody those characters so much that they make me believe and I love that.
What inspires you and keeps you motivated?
Timon: I have been asked that question a lot and it’s always the same. I want the space that I occupy between my birth and my death to be meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling. You know I want significance, a significant weight in the balance of time. I know it sounds corny (laughs). As for my acting and writing goes, I want to convey the truest messages portrayed or play very complicated and interesting characters that are real whether it’s on stage or film. I like to take the viewers and audience on an emotional roller coaster. That’s significant to me. I really enjoy that and I think it would be cool one day if my great grandson were to look at the screen and see my work and say my great granddad was cool. “I want to leave one of the greatest legacies for my family and people who have watched me. I want them to see that if you’re going to do something, be passionate about what you do.”
What advice do you have for our black youth today about following their dreams and showcasing their gifts?
Timon: Know who you are, stay true to who you are, know what you want, and go after that. That is what matters the most. In a world where you can be anything you want to be, be yourself and just be great at it. I have seen so many people compromise who they are and what they want for the sake of popularity or money. There is nothing worse than looking up one day and saying, what I could have, or I should have done this or that, but knowing that you didn’t because of someone else’s opinion or someone else’s criticism. I have learned that the hard way early on, and as of late the easy way. “If you stay true to yourself, there is going to be a space for you someplace. Do what you love and love what you do because that is how you really live.”
You can learn more about Timon Kyle Durrett by following him on his social media at www.Twitter.com/TimonKDurrett and www.Facebook.com/TimonKyleDurrett He is a talented actor and writer that you definitely want to keep your eye on.
Photo Credits: Tarji Michelle Smedley