The Actor's Boot Camp with Bill Duke

Several weeks ago I had the chance to attend the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida and in the least – it was a life changing experience.

Bill Duke was the creator and instructor and spent the three days of the Actor’s Boot Camp making sure that we knew what lay ahead. From his days on Broadway and Commando to being one of the most respected Actor/Director/Producers in the industry – Duke knows what it takes to survive and succeed the jungle that is Hollywood.

During the Boot Camp it was evident that Bill Duke was not only a great performer but an even greater humanitarian. Countless numbers of his former students came to the class to talk about their inspiration and experiences with him and the success they currently enjoyed. In fact on group of his former students came up with a short film about being molested that was one of the finalists in the HBO Short Film Competition. The film was amazing! The group however attributed all of their success to things that they had learned from Bill Duke’s workshop.

Some of those who stopped by included Lamman Rucker, Loretta Divine, John Singleton, Robert Townsend and Wendell Pierce. They talked about their work within the industry but was most impressive was the homage that they all paid to Bill Duke.

I know one key thing that he said that sticks with me was that “acting was like falling backward into darkness”. That is one of the most profound ways to describe this thing that we do. This was only one of the many great things that he said but it was that thing that sparked my fire and inspired me to create even more.

During the event what was most amazing were the amount of people that were there who possessed “like minds”. Each and every person there was in someway connected to the other. The connection was though passion, experience and most importantly drive. For me it was euphoric. How often do you get to spend time with people who have some of the same goals and ideas and who are willing to put in the work to bring those ideas to fruition. From Nici, Kel and Amber to Markell, Eddie and Kim (The Diva) these people were real. Although these names might not ring a bell of familiarity now – give it a year or two and you will know us all. That is just how powerful this experience was.

As I said before this experience not only helped me as an actor – but it was truly life changing. Most people feel as though this thing that we do as actors is simple but it is like life – constantly evolving. Many of the principles that I have learned in acting, I have also used in life and have become inherently more successful. Moreover, I have an even larger extended family that understands the complexity of what it is we do. Those ladies and gentlemen that sat with me in that room in Miami Beach became my brothers and sisters. They are now by family and when one of us succeeds – we are all successful.

It touched me so much that this poem just developed in my head. You can see from the poem what the experience was to me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that made me remember why I am an actor.

We Were There
(after the 2006 Bill Duke Actor’s Boot Camp at the ABFF)

Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
We were there

Barely inside the new millennium at a time when all had returned to soul
The universe cried for artists, to bring joy and tell stories and pass tradition
There was technique to the work of the artists and so we had to learn
Most importantly we had to learn – to forget all that we’ve learned
Described like walking into nothingness and falling back with no fear
Described like reliance on our faith
Faith in HIM, faith in ourselves, faith in the process
We were there

Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
We were there

A King of a man, a guide sent from high, was there
He was like a high priest of the art
Teaching the traditions of old, inspiring the creation of new
Taking impossible nothingness and creating possibility
He had paved the way for us to walk and now was showing us the path
Finally, we would be able to silence the cries of the universe and make her laugh!

We were there – allowing “them” to come down
There in the place where some of the great masters had been
There in the place where at one time we could perform but not sleep and eat
Preparing for greatness – we were there.

Invoking those gone before
I saw Dorothy Dandridge
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Stepin Fetchit
Hattie McDaniels
Woody Strode
Esther Rolle
Paul Robeson
At the place where he transitioned, even Ossie Davis was there – they were all there!

Sooner than later we will tell the stories and share the anecdotes of the time when we were there
Sooner than later giving credit to God and thanking him for sending us the man that led us on the path

Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
I remember . . .we were there