Teneisha Collins – Fatherhood

By starrymag | July 4, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the upcoming movie Fatherhood.

 

A) Fatherhood is a comedy-drama based on the memoir Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin. It follows Matt, a new father struggling to raise his daughter after the sudden death of his wife who unexpectedly passes away the day after childbirth.

 

Q) What was your audition like for the movie?

 

A) My audition was back in 2019. I auditioned for two different roles in this movie and a couple of weeks later I was invited to a callback with the director Paul Weitz for the role of Ms. Burns. The callback was really fun – we explored probably seven different versions of the character, so I really got to show my range and play with the script. I was really happy with what I delivered during the callback, and enjoyed collaborating with Paul during that time, so I was definitely hoping to book the role. But then, of course, I had to wait, hope and let it go. As an actor you have to try to not be too attached to a role before you get it since we get so many “no’s” for every “yes.” But it’s easier said than done sometimes. The casting director was kind enough to share some great feedback from my auditions and told me that I was the top choice, although nothing is ever guaranteed. A month later I learned that I had booked the role!

 

Q) What was it about the film that made you want to be a part of it?

 

A) When I first learned about Fatherhood, I immediately looked it up and learned that it was based on a true story. The real Matt and Maddy’s journey just really spoke to me and was so touching that I felt drawn to The fact that it was based on a true story made the idea of working on this project even more profound.

 

Q) How was your character Ms. Burns originally described to you?

 

A) Ms. Burns was originally described as a caring, serious teacher at Maddy’s Catholic school who is a real stickler for the rules. When Maddy continually breaks the school rules, Ms. Burns becomes deeply concerned and repeatedly tries to get Matt to “fix” his daughter’s behavior. She doesn’t like when her students fall out of line and will do whatever it takes so that Maddy will follow the rules.

 

Q) What did you find particularly challenging about the role?

 

A) On paper Ms. Burns can be seen as a villain, but she truly cares about her students. While Ms. Burns’ essence came to me pretty organically, finding that balance between being a strict rule-abiding person without being the “bad guy” was quite the balancing act. I feel like my character has the best intentions, albeit a bit misplaced at times, so I wanted to show that she does love her students despite her actions having negative consequences.

 

Q) What advice did director Paul Weitz offer while filming that you took to heart?

 

A) Paul is a truly incredible director. I’ve been a fan of his since About A Boy, which he co-wrote and directed. What I love most about working with him is how much he trusts his actors. His advice was often “do what feels right” and we’ll adjust if needed. The result is so many beautifully organic moments on-screen grounded in truth – some scripted and some improvised. He allowed me to fully bring a level of gentleness to Ms. Burns that I don’t think he initially expected from her.

 

Q) Talk about working with costar Kevin Hart.

 

A) Working with Kevin was a bucket list item! I actually had made a list of actors and directors I wanted to work with. He was on that list, as was Alfre Woodard, and six months later I was on set with them – it was truly incredible! He’s naturally funny and super silly, which I think you can kind of guess because that’s how he usually is in his projects. We had a lot of laughs, especially working with kids – at times there were forty kids in a scene when we were in the school! But at the same time, he’s one of the hardest working people in Hollywood and really dedicated to his craft and improvement. While shooting he was also performing live comedy to work out new material for his comedy special and invited me to see one of the performances. It was great to see a work in progress and then later see how that work evolved into the polished product on Netflix. He’s also someone who was a constant source of motivation and inspiration on set, always sharing nuggets of wisdom and words of encouragement. We had a few heart to hearts (no pun intended) that still stick with me.

 

Q) What can you tease were some of your most memorable moments from filming or even scenes that you shot?

 

A) Some of the most memorable moments were behind the scenes. Melody Hurd (who plays Maddy) was lovely to work with. We really bonded on set and would constantly be dancing and making up little choreographies. She was teaching me to floss (a dance I still can’t do as well as the kids) and Paul Weitz saw us dancing, loved it and asked us to teach Kevin the dance so he could do it in the movie. In the trailer there’s a scene of Maddy and Kevin dancing the floss together – that’s inspired by my and Melody’s relationship. There are a lot of sweet moments like that in the film that were borrowed from the cast’s real-life dynamic with each other.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Fatherhood?

 

A) There are so many amazing takeaways from Fatherhood. Firstly, viewers will get to see a Black father in a positive light. Kevin Hart is really amazing in this role, so get ready to see a different side of Kevin. I hope viewers will watch this father go through his lowest moment in his life (losing his wife) at the same time as one of the happiest moments (the birth of his daughter), watch his journey and remember that there is always hope, even after our darkest days. Because as heart-wrenching as their story is, Matt and Maddy’s journey is a journey of love.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant feedback you’ll be receiving to viewers of the movie?

 

A) I’m so excited! We filmed Fatherhood in 2019, so my followers have been hearing about this movie for two years – I think many of them just as excited as I am. When the trailer was released, the reactions and feedback came pretty quickly and most had a visceral, emotional response to the trailer. I’m really curious to hear how viewers felt watching the movie!

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been busy working on lately?

 

A) I recently finished filming a digital series called “Dungeons and Distancing,” a pandemic-era adventure series about an unlikely group of friends who adapt their Dungeons and Dragons play to Zoom. I play the Dungeon Master, Casey, and because I’m the one leading the game and introducing the creatures that our friends encounter, I got to really play around with different voices – from an ogre to weasel. I’m also working on a couple of French Canadian TV shows.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I have some of the most loyal fans and supporters, some of whom I’ve been able to chat with over the years. I want to say thank you – you are all truly amazing. I want you to know that I hear you and see you – I read every message, tweet, email and DM. And even though I may not be able to answer all of you, I so appreciate you and all of your support! Your support is part of my driving force.