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PAFF Panel: Hollywood Stories; faith in action

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The Pan African Film Festival is in full swing from now until Monday, February 17 at the new Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

This past Sunday I attended the “Hollywood Stories” panel discussion.  I’m always interested in learning how people overcome tremendous obstacles when pursuing a career in Hollywood and what’s even more significant, is that they take the time to pass their experiences and life lessons on to others.  The “Hollywood Stories” panel without a doubt was lively and very ‘Faith-Filled.”

Dondre and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (59932)

The panelists included; Dondre Whitfield (“Mistresses,” “Middle of Nowhere”), Sheldon Candis (“Luv”), Dorian Missick (“Annie,” “Southland”).  The moderator was Brely Evans (“Being Mary Jane,” “Sparkle,” “Just Wright”).

I was particularly impressed with the panel’s honesty about working in Hollywood, what it takes, and if you’re not careful, what could break you.  They all stripped away the “glamour” side of Hollywood from their presentations and focused on the work, stamina, and trusting God.

Actor Dondre Whitfield said, “The thing that always sustains me throughout is my faith because I know that God truly is the author and has a plan for me and my family.”

Whitfield is the father of two children and married to the popular actress Salli Richardson (“Haven,” “I Will Follow,” “The Pastor’s Daughter”).  He admitted that his wife is sometimes the family’s breadwinner. “If I didn’t have my faith, if I didn’t have the book of Proverbs to put me on that path then we would not make it. Our marriage wouldn’t make it, and we certainly wouldn’t make it in this industry.”

Dorian Missick

Actor Dorian Missick says he wears a bracelet that says “Mighty For God” and that he gets a new one every year.  He says Faith is the only way he can really survive in this game (Hollywood).  “Every day we get the opportunity and privilege to walk on faith as actors.”  You can’t please God without faith.”  When he auditions he says, “I have the opportunity to exercise faith” and he says he walks boldly on the gifts he’s been given.

Panelist Sheldon Candis has found success behind the camera.  He says his entire life he wanted to be defined as an independent filmmaker who had a voice.  And that dream came true, his film “Luv” about an 11-year-old boy who gets a crash course in what it means to be a man, garnered a great deal of recognition and attention from Sundance and other film and media outlets, everybody wanted to meet with him.  In his words, he went on the ‘water bottle tour’ where everybody will meet with you, they’ll offer you water, but they won’t offer you a job.

Sheldon Candis
Director/Writer (59930)

Candis told the audience that he was being real with them, and that after the Sundance Film Festival he was broke, had no money at all.  By faith he knew he had to keep on going.  Hungry for work, he said his spirit led him to go to New York.  That’s where he found his newest project “A Slave in the White House” the true story of Paul Jennings.  Born into slavery on the plantation of James and Dolley Madison in Virginia, Jennings later became part of President Madison’s staff at the White House.  ABC has greenlit a 12-hour miniseries that will be based on the non-fiction novel. Sheldon Candis will write and co-executive produce the miniseries for ABC.

Moderator Brely Evans says at one point her house was about to go into foreclosure so she had to get a job. While working for a cable company, she realized “Just Wright” was the movie of the month, it was then the staff realized that she was an actress.  Although a year had passed since her last film, she says in faith she told them, “I’m between movies.”  By faith she was speaking into existence her path and willingness to wait it out. Two days later she got an audition and her next role, as Tune Ann in T.D. Jakes “Sparkle.”

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”  Luke 1:37

For a complete schedule of the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) screenings, panel discussions and special events go to www.paff.org.

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