RJ Cyler (INTERVIEW)
RJ
Cyler
The
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” Interview
with
Kam Williams
Me and RJ!
The
youngest of three boys, Ronald Cyler II was born in Jacksonville,
Florida on . March 21, 1995. He demonstrated a love of the arts and
entertaining early on, teaching himself to play the keyboard and
drums, and forming a dance duo with his older brother, Broderick, at
the age of 12.
In
the summer of 2012, RJ traveled to the West Coast to hone his skills
at acting camp. Encouraged by the experience, he asked his parents if
they would consider relocating to Los Angeles to support his pursuit
of a showbiz career.
With
his family solidly behind him, he began meeting with agents, and
subsequently signed with Landis-Simon Productions and Talent
Management, as well as JLA Talent Agency. Here, he talks about making
his acting debut in the title role of Earl in the screen adaptation
of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,
which won
both the Audience and Grand Jury Awards at the 2015 Sundance Film
Festival.
Kam
Williams: Hi
RJ, thanks for the interview.
RJ
Cyler:
Ola,
Kam! No problem.
KW:
I
really loved Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. But so have all the
critics and audiences. Congratulations!
RJC:
Thanks!
KW:
What interested you in the film?
RJC:
The
honesty of the film, and how realistically it treats teenagers. A lot
of movies present us as only interested in romance, which is kind of
offensive, since we're a lot more complicated than that. We also have
friends who are genuinely just friends. This script highlighted that
aspect of the teenage mind, and I appreciated the fact that it was
authentic and raw.
KW:
What
was it like playing the title character in your screen debut?
RJC:
I'm
still trying to wake up from the dream. It's crazy, really.
KW:
Were
you familiar with the book the movie's based on before you became
attached to the project?
RJC:
No, I only read it right before we started filming, in the week
before production.
KW:
Editor/Legist
Patricia Turnier asks: Would
you describe yourself as similar to your character, Earl?
RJC:
Yes.
KW:
Patricia
also asks: What message do you think people will take away from the
film?
RJC:
To be more appreciative of the
many blessing that that we take for granted everyday, like our health
and the simple ability to move our limbs.
KW:
Patricia
asks: How old were you when you knew you wanted to become an actor?
RJC:
I was 16.
KW:
Children's
book
author Irene Smalls asks: What
do you consider Me and Earl, a love story or a coming-of-age
story?
RJC:
It's more of a coming-of-age story, because it doesn't follow
that boy-meets-girl, boy-dates-girl formula.
KW:
Irene
also
asks: What
were you most trying to communicate to the audience about your
character?
RJC:
That he wasn't your
stereotypical black best friend, but a character you learn from,
since he serves as the moral compass of the film.
KW:
Harriet
Pakula-Teweles asks: How does a young performer who started out as a
”song and dance man” prepare himself for a performance on screen
as a compassionate and caring teen?
RJC:
By being genuine. I had no special technique for my approach to
the character. The way that Earl handled situations was the same way
that I would handle situations in real life.
KW:
Sangeetha
Subramanian says: RJ, I loved the trailer, and cannot wait to see the
movie. What did you learn from this experience?
RJC:
Every
second on set was a learning experience. I mostly learned that less
is more, that you don't have to push for emotion. The movies that
push the hardest for emotion are the worst movies. The genuine
emotions and the genuine laughs that come unforced are the ones that
people remember most.
KW:
The
bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
RJC:
”Paddle
Your Own Canoe” by Nick Offerman.
KW:
I
didn't know he wrote a book.
RJC:
He wrote two. I just got his new one.
KW:
Did you
see him in The Kings of Summer? That's another great coming-of-age
movie.
RJC:
No, I missed it.
KW:
The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song
you listened to?
RJC:
”So
Special” by Lil Wayne and John Legend.
KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?
RJC:
Ramen
noodles.
KW:
When
you look in the mirror, what do you see?
RJC:
I see
this really odd, awkward person who's ready to make history.
KW:
If you
could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
RJC:
The
same powers as Superman.
KW:
The Ling-Ju Yen question: What
is your earliest childhood memory?
RJC:
Slipping
on a melted carpet and hitting my head on the radio while running
through our apartment when I was about 6 years-old. Now, there's a
patch on my scalp that doesn't grow hair at all.
KW:
Sorry
about that. The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal,
what animal would you be?
RJC:
If I were an animal, I'd want to be a lion.
KW:
The Viola Davis question: What’s
the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the
person we see on the red carpet?
RJC:
There's literally no
difference. I just look way better on the red carpet, since I don't
wear suits on a daily basis.
KW:
The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?
RJC:
Brand-wise,
I really like Michael Kors and Prada.
KW:
The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good
laugh?
RJC:
Just
today.
KW:
The
Gabby Douglas question: If you had to choose another profession, what
would that be?
RJC:
Music.
KW:
The
Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all
successful people share?
RJC:
The drive and tenacity to be
creative, to take chances and to take that leap.
KW:
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your
footsteps?
RJC:
Faith
in God will get you there. I promise!
KW:
The
“Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan’s question: What’s
your dream locale in Los Angeles to live?
RJC:
I think Beverly Hills might do.
Another area I'd like to live is close to the observatory, if I could
build a little house there.
KW:
What’s
in your wallet?
RJC:
A lot
of business cards, some Canadian money and a picture of my brother
Broderick who's in the military.
KW:
Thanks
again for the time, RJ, and best of luck with the film.
RJC:
Alrighty,
Kam. Thanks.
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