"The Help" Screening and Q&A with Viola Davis

Thanks to Backstage, this past Monday I was among a theater of lucky movie-lovers who were not only treated to a private screening of the Oscar-Nominated film "The Help", but were also privy to a Q&A afterwards with Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress: Viola Davis.

I've been meaning to watch this film for months now but found it difficult to make actual plans to do it because, well...the subject matter. Films about race are always so emotional for me and I wasn't sure how I would like the film. Let me tell you...I LOVED it. Not only was the film helmed by an All-Star cast, but the writing was smart, succinct and there were a few times during the course of those 2 hours where I literally started cheering. Out loud. Clapping, crying, cheering...the whole nine. It was touching, funny, educational and courageous.

Specifically the performance from Viola Davis.

She is such an incredible talent, and it was such a treat to watch her performance and then have her join us afterwards. As a fellow actor, it was so wonderful to hear Davis talk about her own process when doing research for her roles. From working with Meryl Streep (Doubt) to working with Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer, she has nothing but praises for her co-stars.

In reference to working in Hollywood, Davis mentioned numerous times that she felt like she "showed up to the race with a deficit" being not only a woman, but a woman of color. However, she refused to let that hold her back as she rationalized that everyone shows up with a deficit of some sort. Whether you don't know anyone in the industry, or are a minority, or have a speech impediment or a disability: everyone has a deficit. And as Davis put it "...but we (actors) are all here to run the same race. You can't let something hold you back or the other person will beat you. First, you have to believe in yourself."

Davis really values the craft of acting and that dedication to her craft is apparent with every role she takes. I luckily took some video of the Q&A portion, and mind you I am not a cinematographer, but you should get her message loud and clear. Enjoy!

On the essence of what it means to be an actor: