Lawrence August

He played in Tyna Ezenma‘s Dedication Dollar Baby film as Peter Jefferies.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Lawrence August: Hey there! I’m Lawrence August… I grew up in the Chicagoland area and currently reside in Los Angeles, California.

I’m a published songwriter, part-time actor, wannabe screenwriter, and a full-time Self-Employed Nutritionist, with a focus on Childhood Obesity.

I help run a non-profit organization called Accept The Challenge, which aims to improve the health of children all over the world.

I love pursuing my passions and am very fortunate to wear so many hats!

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Lawrence August: I acted in school plays growing up and was always a bit of a ham, entertaining my friends and family with silly impersonations of celebrities and what-not.

It was really in my college years when the acting bug bit me… I performed in several award winning stage plays and landed some really great roles. To be honest, acting was something that came a bit easy to me, in terms of comfortability. In many ways, I’m more comfortable on a stage as a character than I am as myself.

Luckily, I have so many other interests (as mentioned earlier), that I don’t feel a huge amount of pressure to “make it” as an actor. It’s a wonderful outlet and a great way to tap into the human condition.

SKSM: How did you become involved in Dedication Dollar Baby film?

Lawrence August: I was very lucky in that I had already worked on a pervious project with the director called Ghostwriter, where I played The Devil, and she liked my work.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Lawrence August: I think this particular story pulls people in with how unique and unsettling it is.

The Black Magic element is interesting and when you mix in the racial dynamics between the characters, the vibe of the hotel setting, the eerie backstory and fascinating motivation of the protagonist (played Amazingly by Cameo Sherrell, btw), you end up with something unlike any other Stephen King story.

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Lawrence August: I did not have to audition for the role, but the role was not written for me. I was very fortunate to have been offered without having to read for it.

SKSM: You worked with Tyna Ezenma on this film, how was that?

Lawrence August: I’ve worked with Tyna on three films so far and she is great.

She keeps a very relaxed set, and gives actors a lot of space to explore and find the scene. At the same time, she knows very much what she wants and has a knack for communicating her vision with very concise direction.

Wonderful to work with!

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Lawrence August: Hahahaha… well… yeah. Not sure how much I should go into it, but… one standout moment was when my character is having to “pleasure” himself in bed. This was somewhat awkward, with the crew members gathered around and the camera hovering above the bed, but I got through it and everyone was very professional. Definitely a special moment.

Oh, and I guess the other cool moment was when I snapped a photo of Cameo standing on set while the lighting was being set up. What stood out to me about the photo was the shadow of Cameo cast onto the wall near the bed. It felt… inspiring.

During my downtime, I played around with editing the photo on my phone, playing with the colors, contrast, etc. and it ended up becoming the poster for the film. That was what I would call a “happy accident”. I still can’t believe how that came to be. Magic!

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Lawrence August: I’m in contact still with Tyna and Kerry-Ann Ellington, who by the way, I’d like to thank for introducing me to Tyna and getting me the role in Ghostwriter, which led to Dedication.

Cameo Sherrell is a Social Media friend and I’m always happy to see her thrive in the industry. She’s a brilliant actress. I’ll predict right here and now that she will be a household name one day. Believe it.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Lawrence August: Nowadays, I’m very busy with the work I’m doing as a Nutritionist and my nonprofit, but I also stay busy in the music studio, writing songs, and am looking at a few scripts that could be potential acting roles. I also have a sports comedy script that I’m writing with a friend in West Virginia.

Always something on my plate.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Lawrence August: I am, but I wouldn’t say I have looked at his entire catalog. I loved the film Misery, probably my favorite.

Other faves are The Shining, Carrie, Stand By MeFirestarter… probably a bunch of others I can’t think of right now, haha.

The man has been incredibly prolific. It’s actually baffling how someone can crank out that much material, and actually keep the quality so high.

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Lawrence August: Probably that I rap. I’ve been rapping since I was 14, and can freestyle for days. Haha… most people are pretty surprised at that.

I think people that know me as their Nutritionist are surprised by my artistic side and the people who know me through the arts are surprised at my Nutrition knowledge.

I like it that way.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Lawrence August: No problem!

I’ll just say that I’m really thankful to have been in such a cool film and I hope whoever sees it will enjoy what we created.

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Lawrence August: Be kind to each other. It’s what we need now in the world, more than ever.

Kindness. It doesn’t cost a thing.

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