McKinley Freeman – Hit The Floor

Q) “Hit The Floor” became a fast fan favorite with Season One. What do you think it is about it that grabbed the fans?

A) It gives you a peek inside of a world that maybe people haven’t seen in this way. It’s a look at the underbelly of a professional basketball organization with the players, the dancers and ownership. It’s kind of a cool world to look into and the writers did a great job of making these jobs two dimensional. And at the end of the day, there is a lot to draw from. You can expect the unexpected and that’s the really fun part of the show.

Q) Where do we pick up with Derek and the ladies in Season Two?

A) What we established in Season One is that it is kind of like when you first go away to college you are introduced to new people. You see how they are in the real world and how they interact with other people. With Season Two, it gives us a deeper understanding of how or why they are the way that they are. Someone can behave a certain way, but once you get the context you get both the positive and the negative for why they are that way. This season there are going to be lots of questions and lots of surprises. Ultimately, I think we’ve taken a huge step in terms of raising the bar this season and I’m really excited to see how people receive it.

Q) Derek has a great push-pull relationship with Ahsha. Did the chemistry between the two of you come naturally? Were you friendly prior to the show?

A) I had never met Taylour [Paige] before we tested. We hit it off right away. Even during the chemistry read when I was testing for the show, the chemistry we had started that day and it never really stopped. As far as that goes, I think it’s something that comes natural. Taylour is a very loving, energetic, bubbly person and I get along with everybody. It works really well. Having said that, it is something that has been great to explore and evolve over time (as a cast, our characters and as friends) as they walk their respective paths in the story.

Q) You are a part of social networking sites. Are you enjoying the instant feedback from fans after the episodes air?

A) I think that social media is cool because it does allow that interaction with fans. Some people like my character and some people don’t. Some people think I’m a cool person. Some people hate me. What I do care about the most is connecting with people. People are entitled to their opinion, but with social media it provides us the ability to have conversations. I think it’s really cool to hear those opinions. I’m also not proactive about finding out what everyone is talking about it. You could stand in your own way if you allowed yourself to do that. The only reason I have social media is to interact with people who are interested in what I’m doing. Honestly, what I try to do is after the second airing on the West Coast is literally respond to everybody. On Twitter or Instagram, I’ll post something. When the show first came on it was easier, but by the end of the season my phone was all worn and my base was hot. I’m going to do the same thing this season because without the reaction and support of fans, I really have no reason for social media. I might as well interact with people and have some fun. Also, because of the interaction I have with people it inspired me to write a book of poems. It was inspired by random Twitter followers that I still don’t know. I sent out a tweet that said, “The first ten people to send me a tweet with a word, I’ll write an original poem inspired by the word.” I published the book and gave those people credit for the word and free copies of the book. It seemed to be worth it because at least one person said it helped them with their specific situation. To me, it’s unlike anything else. It’s not so much about the vehicle as it is the person that is driving it. It’s about how you can use something in a cool, innovative way. I think that’s what social media provides.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) There are definitely moments with laughter. Everybody gets along so well and everybody is always cracking jokes. There are a few times this season when I was working either with Taylour or Brent Antonello where I had to be, “We have to start over!” It could be something as simple as a face or getting a word wrong. Even a look! I remember this season shooting a conversation with Taylour and her making a few faces where neither one of us could stop laughing. Those are the things, at the end of the day, that I remember the most. It’s developing friendships as we sit around these long days. You film a twelve or fourteen hour day and you’re around each other full time for about five and a half or six months. So, you can’t help, but begin to form friendships and I think that’s really cool.

Q) Was there anything about Derek that you added to the character that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) When you’re a guest star on the show, you’re on a show that already has a story. When you’re in a pilot situation and the pilot gets picked up for a season, as an artist you have the responsibility to create something. The words on the page are the words on the page, but as an artist you bring those words to life. For me, it’s being really honest at a human level about what motivates Derek Roman, his life and his relationship. I think without starting with that, it could be every other version of a professional athlete that you’ve seen as a caricature. It may very well fit into that as well, but at the end there will be some element of truth that starts with humanity; whether it is love or compassion or to be understood or appreciated – those things that we all want in life. I think that is what makes a great character relatable. If you think about a hero or villain in some of the greatest movies or television shows, you are rooting for somebody. With Bryan Cranston in “Breaking Bad,” he’s selling drugs, but you are also rooting for him. It came from a very specific need for wanting to provide for his family.

Q) Will there be any guest stars you can tease this season?

A) None that I can share! I will tell you that we’ve done a really good job of pulling in people that fans will appreciate and that came to set, took care of business and made us all appreciate their presence. It’s going to be really cool to see how people react. The way that they structured this season and bringing it all together, I can’t commend them enough for all the work that they have done.

Q) What else would you like to be sure to let fans know?

A) Our show premieres on May 26 and we got picked up for twelve episodes. That gives us a couple more weeks to tell the story, which will be fun. As for other projects of mine, I produced a movie with a buddy of mine called The Best Thanksgiving Ever,  which is supposed to come out this Fall. I’ve written a couple things that I am trying to get feelers for, but beyond that it is back to the hustle when this is over. It’s a process and I am looking forward to continuing to take care of business here and seeing what happens this summer and into the Fall.