Authentically Detroit
Authentically Detroit is the leading podcast in the city for candid conversations, exchanging progressive ideas, and centering resident perspectives on current events.
Hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Orlando P. Bailey.
Produced by Sarah Johnson and Engineered by Griffin Hutchings.
Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthenticallyDetroit!
Authentically Detroit
One Of Them Days: Lawrence Lamont’s Journey from Detroit to Hollywood
Authentically Detroit presents a special interview with Detroit-born director and writer, Lawrence Lamont!
Lawrence Lamont got his start shooting music videos for Grammy-Nominated Artist, Big Sean. Previously Lawrence directed multiple episodes of HBOMax's Rap Sh!t Season 1 and 2, produced by HOORAE Productions. He also completed a pilot for HBOMax and shot the Detroit Pistons branding campaign for the 2022-2023 season.
“One Of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA, serves as his feature directorial debut. The film follows best friends and roommates Druex (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) after they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.
To watch the trailer for “One Of Them Days,” click here.
Up next. Authentically, detroit hosts a special episode with Lawrence Lamont, the director of One of them Days, starring Kiki Palmer and SZA. Keep it locked. Authentically, detroit starts after these messages.
Speaker 2:Founded in 2021, the Stoudemire is a membership-based community recreation and wellness center centrally located on the east side of Detroit. Membership in the Stoudemire is available on a sliding scale for up to $20 per year or 20 hours of volunteer time. The Stoudemire offers art, dance and fitness classes, community meetings and events, resource fairs, pop-up events, the Neighborhood Tech Hub and more. Members who are residents of the Eastside have access to exclusive services in the Wellness Network. Join today and live well, play well, be well. Visit ecndetroitorg.
Speaker 3:Hey y'all, it's Orlando. We just want to let you know that the views and opinions expressed during this podcast episode are those of the co-hosts and guests and not their sponsoring institutions. Now let's start the world.
Speaker 1:Welcome to another episode of Authentically Detroit broadcasting live from the Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit. I'm Donna Givens-Davidson. Thank you for listening in and supporting our efforts to build a platform of authentic voices for real people in the city of Detroit. We want you to like, rate and subscribe to our podcast on all platforms. Orlando is still out sick, so we're wishing him a speedy recovery and I'm hosting solo today. We're recording a second time this week, after having the honor of attending a screening for the amazing film One of them Days starring Kiki Palmer and SZA and directed by Detroit's own Lawrence Lamont. Lawrence, welcome to.
Speaker 3:Authentically Detroit. Pleasure to be here. Authentically Detroit.
Speaker 1:Well, you know, I felt like the film was Authentically LA and Detroit all mixed together. It's a great connection there, definitely. Yeah, how's Blackstay finding you? I know you are on your second or third day of your press tour.
Speaker 3:Well, no, I'm actually on my like. Like I started in December, right?
Speaker 1:before Christmas I did press junkets.
Speaker 3:and well, I did some stuff in November me, kiki and SZA and Issa and then December we did some stuff in LA that I was able to just like sleep you know, for like 10 days and then I'm back. Yeah, I was in Atlanta last week and finishing off in my hometown.
Speaker 1:All right, welcome back to Detroit.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So I'm going to jump right in. Detroit-born director and writer Lawrence Lamont got to start shooting music videos for Grammy-nominated artist Big Sean, also from Detroit. Previously, lawrence directed multiple episodes of HBO's Max's Rap Shit season one and two produced by Hooray Productions. One and two produced by hooray productions. He also completed a pilot for hbo max and shot the detroit pistons branding campaign for the 2022-2023 season. One of them, days starring kiki palmer and sisa, serves as his feature directorial feature directorial debut. The film follows best friends, roommates drew kiki palmer and alissa sisa. After they discover alissa's boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. It was a lot of fun.
Speaker 3:You know when I got done.
Speaker 1:I was like this is like Friday for girls. Yeah, I really felt you know the connection, especially not even with Friday one, but one of the subsequent Fridays with Cat Williams was in there and you know they were doing that.
Speaker 3:Friday After.
Speaker 1:Next yeah, Friday After Next. I don't remember the names of those. But anyway, so can you tell us about your background? We're so excited in Detroit to have you be the person to direct this. Can you tell us where you came from and how you got connected to this film?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I'm from Detroit. I went to Bates Academy in Southfield High. I was a theater kid in high school and that's kind of where I really started honing in on my skills, I would say of like leaning into knowing that I was going to be in the entertainment industry somehow. Then I had a lot of music video, a lot of friends who are musicians who needed music videos, you know, and it was happening around like the digital wave with cameras, so it was easier to kind of get high quality things.
Speaker 3:And you know, I directed my first video for a friend and I just was like this is what I need to be, this is it. You know this is. I just knew it was my sacred calling and I went nonstop. So I moved to LA 12 years ago and you know, got told no, a whole lot pitching on things and trying to get into places and trying to make movies before this one. And you know I connected with Issa Rae a few years ago and pitched on this project with Sony and also rap shit on HBO Max and I got them.
Speaker 1:And now we're here. That's awesome, yeah. So, um, you know, my son moved to LA six years ago pursuing similar ideals, and so hopefully, six years from now, we'll see him doing something like this he wants to be a director, or? Um, he is a film he's just creating. He has his own little film company. I shouldn't call it little. If you're listening to me, phillip, I apologize, but he has his own film company.
Speaker 1:He's produced some shorts and, yeah, he's. He's working on some stuff right now where he's writing and directing and sometimes acting in it.
Speaker 3:Oh, that's cool, that was me. That was me starting off.
Speaker 1:So it's encouraging to see Detroiters go to LA. There was a time when Detroit had the film credits or Michigan had the film credits. And when you guys started, we had film credits, didn't we?
Speaker 3:We did. Yeah, I think it was like almost 15 years ago when they were here. They were filming some shows and stuff here. I mean I wish they were still here. Michigan is such a beautiful state. You can film any setting in the state, from a desert to use a lake as an ocean inner city life. So I kind of wish it was here, and let alone what it can do for the economy and so many people. Um, but yeah, it was. It's gone. Now hopefully it comes. I think like 40 states have it. So it's like what's going on?
Speaker 1:why did we get rid of it? It makes no sense. You know, we have a whole ecosystem built up around it yep and now it feels like we have to be, and that's it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you're right. I know we can bring some motion pictures here. No offense, tubi, but it's not the same as this All right.
Speaker 1:So what's it like working with Kiki Palmer, sza, and Kat Williams?
Speaker 3:It was. It was amazing. You know, they're all just like balls of light and joy and creativity and it was awesome. I mean, kiki Palmer is a superstar. You know, she's already a legend. I know she's still a young, young woman, but you know, from akilah and abby to now, she's just how she carries herself. She brought it every single day on set. And sisa this is her first time acting, you know, in anything so um, she kind of embodied the, the role of alissa, like in real life too, uh, as, like a free spirit and you know, um, hopeless romantic. I guess you can kind of say too, and uh. And then cat williams is just epic, you know, he, he was in character the whole time, so serious like he came in my trailer once his first day on set and was like cat williams, and then he was lucky the rest of the rest of the. So he's a veteran. That just elevated every scene.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I remember him saying that on next Friday he just started creating his own roles and it was supposed to be a big part and he made it into a more major part. Was that also true with this film, or did you know that you needed him to be bigger than an original? Just a small part of the—.
Speaker 3:For Lucky, yeah. So that character kind of evolved. So the character was only in one scene at some point and then we were just going back Sarita Singleton, the writer, and myself and producers and whatnot just kind of like there's something to this character, he's special, and Cat Williams' name came up in a meeting earlier last year and it was like yo, we got to get Cat to be lucky. So I had a director's meeting with him right before he signed on and he just understood it and knew what this character was. And you know, he's magical. He's kind of like does he exist, is he real, is he fake, you know? So he killed it.
Speaker 1:Well, that was kind of fun. I'm going to go to see it again with my husband and I'm going to look for those elements that you talked about last night, where there was a question about whether Lucky was actually real.
Speaker 3:Yeah, only the girls talked to him.
Speaker 1:Well, you know that's true, but I'm going to have to see it again so I can observe that. I feel like you missed something the first time. You see it. Definitely One of the things that you mentioned during the question and answer after the fact is there was a question about Ciz and you just mentioned it. This is kind of like her personality. Yeah, in a sense sense.
Speaker 3:Yeah, but it's kind of hard to act your?
Speaker 1:personality on screen, isn't it? I mean, I just don't want to, yeah, negate those acting skills, because she seemed great for a first timer.
Speaker 3:yeah, she's incredible, you know, I think, like it's hard, even if you act like a character, to do that every day on a film set cameras roll and it was a new experience for her, you know, and she just brought, she's a natural, you know, I think that she's going to get so many more roles after this and I hope she really embraces it because she's now. She has a new, a new career.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she does, and I want to see her more things. I actually want to see more versions another one of them, days or something like that coming up, because this was a lot of fun. Another person that we got really excited about was Joshua Neal. What was it like working with him?
Speaker 3:It was great, you know. I know we love him while he used to do the TikTok skits and Instagram skits and stuff. I mean he's so funny, you know he was. He also was just so creative and bringing ideas and really embodied the Keyshawn role, you know, and that that came down to the wire casting that character because you know we really wanted that person in SZA to feel like it would be a match and Joshua just brought it and his sense of humor is so crazy and you know he comes back at the end with the candles.
Speaker 1:I think a lot of women watching that had PTSD. Oh, I know him, hell no. So, okay, wildfires are all you hear about in LA, yep, and I know that there are certain neighborhoods that have been impacted. What about the neighborhoods where this was shot? Were they impacted?
Speaker 3:No, they weren't, thankfully, you know. But you know a lot of other places were and I have friends I had to evacuate. I have friends who houses have burned down, but no, our area, south Valley, like where we filmed this, wasn't affected.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so my son had to evacuate to Leimert Park. And I'd never heard of that until he told me he was going there, and then I saw the little sign in the movie and was like, oh, that's where it is yeah, yeah yeah, so that was kind of cool. Um, how did the fires, though, impact? How do you think they're going to impact the reception or the excitement of the film when it releases tomorrow? Is it tomorrow or on Friday?
Speaker 3:yeah, and tomorrow too it's going to be in theaters. Tomorrow too. You know, that's a great question, you? You know, originally I was like oh no, you know, I mean it's for LA. Like, will LA folks come out? But we did an early access showing last Saturday and all the theaters were filled in LA when the fires were happening. So I took a step back and I started to think about, wow, art during natural disasters or, you know, huge moments happening on a planet like we can escape.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm hearing people are a little stir crazy, so hopefully that shows up in the ticket sales, so it felt Detroit.
Speaker 2:but it was.
Speaker 3:LA. What's the?
Speaker 1:connection between Detroit and LA. When I was listening to Kendrick Lamar and he was being so excited about, or protective of, la and Compton. I feel the same way about Detroit. I feel very protective of our city. Do you see a similarity or a connection between our cultures?
Speaker 3:Absolutely From the lingo to. You know, maybe not style, but LAers like to dress. Well, you know, detroiters love to dress. Nobody dresses like Detroiters though, you know. But I would say LA and Detroit are first cousins, even the music, and also like the Bay Area too, I think there are some similarities. Even the music, and also like the Bay Area too, I think there are some similarities. But yeah, I'm happy that you were able to see some Detroit in the film, because I'm hoping that that's the case with all the films I do, even if the story takes place on the moon.
Speaker 1:Yeah well, you know you can't take Detroit out of a Detroiter now, you cannot. Detroit will follow you. It's true, they say you can take people out of Detroit, but you can take people out of Detroit, but you can't take Detroit out of people.
Speaker 3:Okay, anyway, yeah that's true.
Speaker 1:So would you be willing to work with other content creators looking to transition into film? How do you see yourself playing a role to mentor others? Now that we have this depleted film ecosystem in Detroit, do you see yourself being able to lean into that and provide some kind of support?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean absolutely, and one of my dreams is to start a production company that focuses on all types of stories. But I really want to bring productions here and with that I want to make sure that the PAs, everybody that's working grips, gaffers, anybody are wanting to learn, you know. So if I can put people in a position to win, I always will. I look at like Issa Rae and like how she does it and like I'm a product of the Issaverse now, you know. And she finds the right people. I can't put my finger on how she does it, but that is a goal of mine, and mainly with the city of Detroit, because there's so much talent, so much untapped talent, undiscovered talent, like all through the city since the 40s, 50s, you know.
Speaker 1:Even before then we had the greatness in the city of Detroit. We need to let the rest of the world know that, yes, yes. So we got really excited how you closed out yesterday. Can you tell Detroiters who are looking to make it in the film industry or in any kind of industry, can you give them some inspirational words?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I would just say one and I mentioned this yesterday too but comparison is a thief of joy. Everybody has their own paths, and you shouldn't look at somebody else's path and feel down if you're not where they are or it's not happening the same way. Look at somebody else's path and, like, feel down if you're not where they are, or you know you're not going, it's not happening. The same way, um, and I think that, like, if you really truly believe in what you're doing, like, and you feel like it's your destiny and in your heart and soul, um, then something that's gonna align for you, you know, I think, like the only way to lose is if you quit, you know, and perseverance is key. Yeah, well, that's great.
Speaker 1:So, um well, if you have, you know, and perseverance is key, yeah, well, that's great. So, um well, if you have topics that you'd like discussed on Authentically Detroit, you can hit us up on our socials at Authentically Detroit, on Facebook, instagram and Twitter, or you can visit our website at authenticallydetroitcom. Do you have anybody you want to specifically shout out who contributed to this? Um amazing film.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean so many people. I mean I want to one shout out. I'm going to shout out Issa Rae, you know that's. You know that's one and my management, color Creative, for sending me the script four years ago. You know that was huge. And also Sony Pictures for taking a chance on us making this film this is an original script, you know with two black women leads Like when's the last time we saw that? You know what I mean. And we always we're in a world of part sixes, part sevens, ip, this, ip, that, and I'm I love that stuff too, but it's rare that we get original films. And, um, yeah, I would say Sony, issa and my and my management. For now, I'm sure it's so many people I can shout out, you know, but yeah, Well, let me shout you out you did an amazing job, thank you.
Speaker 1:Really proud to know that you're from Detroit and I really, really enjoyed this. I know it's going to be a great hit and a classic when we move forward.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much.
Speaker 1:Outro Music.
