Dale Godboldo – American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson

By starrymag | March 1, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Right now, I’m focused on a preproduction on a film called Superstition: Final Chance. It’s from the creator of the Final Destination We are really excited about that. It’s an all-encompassing job and I’m a producer on that project. I may find a small role for myself though.

Q) We are also getting to see you in “American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson.”

A) We’re getting into the trial now and this is when it really starts to get bizarre and fascinating. I’m excited for people at home to get the details of what happened behind the scenes. If you haven’t read the book that the show is based on, you’re in for a real treat.

Q) How did you get involved with the show? Was it an audition or were you approached?

A) It was just a regular audition. When I got this one, I saw Ryan Murphy was the Executive Producer and he directed the first episode. I was like, “Wow! This is going to be something special!” Then I looked at the material and I was really blown away by its honesty, particularly in light of how surreal the whole trial was. I basically had a few days to work on it. I went in and did my thing, but didn’t hear back for like a month and a half. One day they called me and said they would keep me posted about the job, but I didn’t have it yet. So, then I waited for another month and a half before they said I had the role. It was really just one audition on tape and that was it!

Q) What kind of research did you do on Carl E. Douglas for your role?

A) There is a lot of a material. I read the book on the trial and I read some of the books by the other people involved in the trial or peripherally involved in the trial. I wanted to understand everything that was going on at the time, first and foremost. In researching Carl Douglas online and what other people mentioned about him in their books, it became clear to me who Douglas is. Douglas also had frequently gone on television after the trial and talked a little bit about it. One of the things that struck me about Douglas was he had a very pure approach to defending his client. He felt that it was a matter of the prosecution making their case and his job was to defend his client at all costs, legally. That is the system that America has been running with for years and years. He believed in that system and he understood the system. The bottom line was that he felt the prosecution didn’t make their case and in that scenario they had to acquit. I also felt strongly after researching Carl E. Douglas that he absolutely felt his client was innocent. So, not only did he have so much respect for the law, but he genuinely felt his client was innocent so he wanted to do what was necessary to get a not guilty verdict for his client.

Q) What was it like for you to work with such an all-star cast?

A) It was extraordinary. I had never been on a set with that many actors of that caliber at one time. There would be times when I was in the room with all of those people and I would pinch myself and say, “Is this really happening?!” It was a Masters class in our craft. I had to pinch myself every day. I was blessed to be on that set. It was a dream come true.

Q) What was it like to work with Ryan Murphy?

A) Ryan is great! First of all, the guy has so many things going on, but when he is in your presence he is 100% focused on what you need to accomplish. For us, as actors, he was an amazing collaborator. He gives you the gentle nudge you need and then he allows the magic to happen. You know that you got what you need and then he’s on to the next project. I’m blown away but not only his sensitivity and his ability to stay in touch with pop culture, but his creativity and the way he thinks is like no other EP out there. He is nurturing to the talent and it is fun to be on a set with no stress. It was probably if not the most amazing experience I’ve ever had working on a show then it is definitely up there.

Q) What was the most challenging part of filming the show?

A) I think the most challenging parts were the courtroom scenes. You could be there for hours and hours without having anything to do other than react to what Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance) is doing or Marcia Clarke (Sarah Paulsen). The cameras were rolling at all times and they were pointed in different directions so you always had to be in the moment even if the camera wasn’t focused on you at that moment. The camera was moving around and you didn’t know what it was capturing at any given moment. So, you had to be really focused on your character’s perception at any given moment during every take – whether the focus was on you for that take or not. So, just staying connected to your character’s thoughts for hours and hours was a challenge, but it is why we do this. It was an amazing opportunity to act, whether you are speaking or not.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback you have been receiving to the show?

A) Yes, I am. I haven’t gotten a whole lot. Being on a show, in real time and getting real feedback – I’m having a ball with it. It’s a new experience for me and it’s great!

Q) Have you been receiving strong opinions from fans?

A) So far, I haven’t gotten anyone saying, “He’s nothing like that!” What is interesting for me is that I don’t look anything like Carl Douglas, to me. I don’t think anyone would think that I do and I’m not to imitate his mannerisms. What I’m trying to focus on is his intent and his character. I want to bring a truth to what the character was about. I think as my character unfolds, you’ll start to see more and more as the season progresses. I hope Carl is proud of me.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about the series?

A) I’ll tell you that one of the reasons that I was excited about being a part of this project and now I’ve seen episodes (and obviously I read scripts and was a part of production) was what this production team has done to alter the conversation of race, sexism and the 24-hour media cycle and pop culture (particularly surrounding celebrities) is incredible. This, for me, is an opportunity to use my arc to turn that conversation and I think the way it is being handled is incredible and exactly right because I think this show really reflects where we are today. Even though it is a twenty year old story, the similarities are glaring and I think this is what TV is supposed to be about. I’m honored to be a part of it.

Q) Talk about the incredible charity work that you do.

A) I started my career with the Mickey Mouse Club. The education that I received in that time frame and the arts education I received during that time frame made me who I am today. In fact, I would say that had a lot to do with a lot of the success with kids that came from that show. So, when it came to starting my foundation I wanted to play some homage to that. That’s why I named it Always In The Club Foundation. Once in the club, always in the club. What we focus on is youth arts education and entrepreneurship. We launched our first initiative and partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative in 2014 and it is called Project:Now. What we do is rapidly address the educational needs of at risk youths in America. It is through these innovative literacy programs and entrepreneurship programs that we can immediately change the trajectory of at risk kids that are currently on a path to nowhere. We help get in there with media production programs that include scholarships that give them opportunities to change their lives. That’s a passion of mine. Chelsea Clinton invited me to join her LEAD team under the Clinton Global Initiatives and what we do is a handful of us will focus on mentorship. I’m working with a young lady who is doing some extraordinary things in Haiti. I donated my services to raise funds for youth entrepreneurship for City Gala on the night of the Grammys. I donated my services to help produce a stage show and the camera production. That was an opportunity to take what I have learned about media production and apply it to this youth entrepreneurship and helping these kids become the next global leaders.

Q) How can people get involved in helping your initiatives?

A) We always need funds! You can visit AlwaysInTheClub.org and hit the donate button. They can also contact us through the website and they can help us raise money for these kids and these programs we have launched or organizations we partnered with to launch them. We’re also always looking for promotional support. All of my production team (a crew of 150 people) donated their services for the City Gala. So, we’re always looking for partners, creative people and we’re always looking for help in any way. You can visit our Project:Now Initiative at projectnowforyouth.org

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so much! I wouldn’t be here without you. I appreciate all of your support throughout my twenty-five year career. It’s been an incredible ride and we’ve done it together. Thank you!