With his short film, Deny, Alioune Binaté has offered a real treat, both visually and in terms of plot. We’re here today with Gerrome Miller, the star of the short who plays a man torn between his girlfriend and child and a mysterious Russian woman who suddenly appears in his life. Gerrome recently won Best Actor at the Hollywood Golden International Film Festival and is making inroads in the British film industry. Thank you for speaking with us today.
Amir Ganjavie, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): First off, how did you prepare for this role?
Gerrome Miller (GM):There was a lot of research that went into this role, I watched a film called Charlie Countryman (2013) that stars Shia LaBeouf. It’s quite an emotional film and he loses his mother. Although it’s not quite the same, I feel, in the same way that Jahlil ran away from his responsibilities so did Charlie (run from his pain) in this film, so it was a big inspiration for me. We also ran rehearsals with Alioune and the cast, where we got to build bonds and it just made the whole process smoother.
(UM): Congratulations on winning Best Actor at the Hollywood Golden International Film Festival. How does it feel to have won?
(GM): I’m very honoured. We as a team always believed the film would go on to do great things, but never did I imagine winning best actor all the way in Hollywood Golden International Film Fest. I just want to say a big thank you to the team for allowing me to do such a job, especially it being my first main role on screen; Thank you to the panel for appreciating my performance and hopefully we can meet soon!
(UM): Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
(GM): I’m from North London, Jamaican Heritage. I’m looking for an agent – made my TV debut on a BBC Comedy, Enterprice, season 2, episode 2, as ‘Marlon,’ and have been lucky enough to work alongside rappers Krept and Konan, starring in their short film music video Ban Drill (2019) I have started a company ‘Loads of Talent CIC’, A two strand company where we:
1) Help actors connect with industry professionals through workshops and Q&A’s – we’ve worked with the likes of directors: Gil Junger & Oli Parker and actors such as Kaine Zajaz and many more. We also host annual showcases for actors to potentially get signed.
2) We work in the community to help young people become self-sufficient as well as who and what they want to be. We have worked with companies like Edible London and our local council in helping young people to gain qualifications as well as putting on various activities and performances based on workshops around schools. We aim to have our own creative hub/safe space where young people can chill collaborate, learn and create with others alike. We’d welcome any support in helping us reach our goal, you can get in touch with us via: loadsoftalent1@gmail.com IG: loadsoftalentsc I also absolutely love biscuits!!
(UM): When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?
(GM): I started off a self-taught street dancer and so was always a performer. In year 6 I also got my first acting role where I played a news reporter in a silver Fubu Denim suit, I loved it. In 2016 my college theatre company See and Eye Theatre Directed by Caroline Griffiths performed Children of Killers by Katori Hall on the Olivier Stage, National Theatre as a result of winning NT Connections.
The crowd was 1000! The standing ovation! I cried! That’s when I really knew.
(UM): What was it like working with Alioune Binaté?
(GM): A great experience he’s such a talented overall creative. He’s not even English and he’s written this whole film in his secondary language! His edit was absolutely fire!! And on set he has such a good aura. Very professional and knows how’s to still keep it chill. To be honest, I’m waiting for him to call me for another project…
(UM): There’s an old saying, ‘if you chase two rabbits, you’ll lose them
both’. Do you think that’s what happened to Jahlil?
(GM): Most definitely. Luckily enough his actual rabbit forgave him.
(UM): Do you think Jahlil was more attracted to Lizavieta or more afraid of his
responsibilities at home?
(GM): I think a bit of both. Jahlil as a young man, is still very heavy on physical but that being said he definitely used this distraction as a means of escaping his reality.
(UM): Did anything interesting or unexpected happen on set?
(GM): Preparing for the last scene, where Jahlil gets his second chance: I was doing my thing, getting all emotional and a guy walked past and asked why I’m crying. Deep down I wanted to laugh and I did. He kind of made me break my flow. That was funny looking back at it. He didn’t know it was to do with filming while the cameras were there. Typical English bloke banter!
(UM): Could you tell us about any upcoming projects?
(GM): Look out for Loads of Talent. We are constantly doing projects. We’re currently working on a devised theatre piece. We’ve also shot a few films & documentaries that are pending. I’m currently looking for more acting work, which has slowed over the last 18 months but I also write a lot and I’m currently looking for investors and producers for a series I want to pitch so look out for that when it comes! Or get in contact if you’d like to help.
Thank you so much for your time. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Thank you again for voting me Best Actor! I wish I could’ve been there to pick up an award and give a speech for real!
Stay Well!
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