‘Ricky’ Filmmaker Rashad Frett on Developing His First Feature Through 3 Sundance Labs and the Best Advice Spike Lee Gave Him

Filmmaker Rashad Frett is making movies with a mission.

Frett explains to EbMaster that his goal is to create movies that showcase humanity. He aims to not only amuse, but also educate and provoke thought in the viewers. He strives to offer a tangible viewpoint on situations unfamiliar to them.

A notable example is the first film by Frett, titled “Ricky,” which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, receiving numerous praise, such as… This movie centers around a 30-year-old character who is adjusting to life outside after serving 15 years in prison. The story emphasizes the struggle of reintegrating into society following incarceration, a contentious topic often referred to as recidivism. Stephan James (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) delivers an outstanding performance as the protagonist, and the film seeks to humanize this issue by underscoring the assistance that ex-offenders require to prevent reincarceration.

Ricky’s background stems from observing numerous family members encounter difficulties within the criminal justice system and their subsequent struggles to better themselves and secure employment. In some cases, they were forced to revert to their old habits,” Frett explains, delving into the origins of the project, which he collaborated on, produced, and directed. “Our goal was to bring attention to this issue through a unique spin on the traditional ‘coming-of-age’ narrative, focusing on a 30-year-old character experiencing freedom in the outside world for the first time.

Initially, Frett created the project as a brief film during his time at NYU Tisch’s graduate film program. Later, Frett and co-writer Lin Que Ayoung refined the feature-length version in the Sundance Institute’s writers lab. Subsequently, Frett went through a challenging application process to enter the directors’ lab, while producer Pierre M. Coleman guided the project through the producers lab.

During the time for filming, Frett and his team went back to his birthplace, Hartford, Connecticut. “I utilized my assets there,” he chuckles, “I had the benefit of friends and family discounts.” “Assembling that movie about the community I was raised in was a collaborative effort from every angle.

Indeed, at the heart of that team were James and Sheryl Lee Ralph, stars from “Abbott Elementary,” who lent their brilliance to the undertaking. James shared that he was moved by the script’s contents and felt a sense of familiarity and urgency in it, which led him to agree to play Ricky and serve as an executive producer for the project.

James, who participated in an interview at the EbMaster Studio (presented by Audible during Sundance) with Frett, additionally discussed Frett’s short film. He expressed that it was crucial because it demonstrated Rashad’s dedication and careful handling of the subject matter. He found it to be both intimate and personal. After discussing how the characters and setting would develop in a full-length production, James felt confident that they could create something impactful with the movie.

Ralph, acting as Ricky’s probation officer, was elated to take on a role that deviated from his usual character portrayals, allowing him to explore new aspects of himself and the types of roles typically presented to him.

Ralph shared via email, “The character presented an opening to explore a realm frequently distorted or oversimplified, and I desired to contribute to a venture that authentically portrayed these encounters. The narrative was unvarnished and profoundly human, providing a viewpoint not always fully depicted on screen. However, what truly captivated me was Rashad urging me to ‘remove the makeup and the excessive hair so the character could live.’ That takes courage!

Read on as Frett breaks down his process of making the film and his unlikely road to directing.

“Ricky” marks a full-circle moment – not only because you filmed the movie in your hometown in Connecticut, but you’re also returning to Sundance after debuting the short at the 2023 festival How did you find out that the feature got in too?

On my drive towards Brooklyn College, where I instruct directing, my phone rang with a call saying ‘Congratulations.’ The unexpected news left me stunned, causing me to stop the car momentarily as I struggled to comprehend it. As artists, we often harbor self-doubts; this piece of news about making it into the dramatic competition required some time for me to fully absorb and appreciate.

That’s a good point. Just because you debuted the short there and because you took the feature through the lab doesn’t automatically mean you get a bid.

I felt deeply grateful, humbled, and speechless as to how my Sundance journey unfolded. It all began from a short film during my graduate studies at NYU Tisch, which then escalated into something significant. My fellow writer, Lin Que Ayoung, isn’t fond of compliments, but she suggested that instead of just completing a feature script for graduation, we should produce another short film with the resources we had invested in our education.

How did the short become the feature? What were some of the first ideas you had about expanding the story?

To gain a richer understanding of Ricky’s origins and the community he belonged to, I decided to incorporate details about his church background that weren’t initially shown, as well as the fact that his father was deported, delving deeper into his backstory before he served 15 years in prison.

How did Stephan James get on board?

Michelle Satter’s son, who is Stephan’s agent, and I connected after speaking with each other. We immediately felt a strong connection due to our shared Caribbean heritage and mutual acquaintances who have experienced similar circumstances as Ricky. It seemed almost destined that we would meet; it was as if the universe had brought us together for this very purpose. He did an exceptional job, and the whole experience was truly remarkable.

In the short, Ricky’s parole officer plays a very small part, but the feature presents a more complex relationship between P.O. and parolee. How did you cast Sheryl Lee Ralph in this role?

I discussed the topic with a probation officer for insights, and I’ve encountered several individuals who have worked with probation officers. You can find both good and not-so-good ones in this profession. My intention was to depict a probation officer who genuinely cared about their client, showing empathy and understanding. Many of the probation officers I know come from the same neighborhood as their clients, which sometimes means they have a personal connection with their clients, having possibly attended high school together.

With Mrs. Ralph, there’s a strong connection due to our shared background – she hails from Connecticut, much like myself, and we both trace our roots to the Caribbean. Her depth of knowledge and professionalism during her work were truly inspiring. I learned a great deal working with her. It was an immense privilege, as some subtle elements she and Stefan intended for the characters were simply remarkable. Now, was Mrs. Ralph adopting an accent perhaps?

Indeed, it flowed effortlessly, and my response was, “Indeed, we did!” Such authenticity aligns with our depiction of the vibrant Caribbean-American community, which I found truly captivating.

Stephan and Sheryl are new to the cast, but a few actors from the short reprise their roles, like Simbi Kali, who plays Ricky’s mother, and Maliq Johnson, who plays his brother. Plus, Parish Bradley, who played Ricky, takes on a new role in the feature.

I’m incredibly faithful. I aimed to include some of the actors from the short film in the feature-length version as they were already familiar with the story. This helped deepen the characters they had previously portrayed. For instance, Maliq and I have kept in touch since the short; we’re like family. They took our bond to a new level.

In my creative approach as a director, I’ve blended both seasoned actors and novices, including family members. My aunt appears at the start, playing one of the church women blessing Ricky. Given the significant role churches often play in many communities, I wanted to depict the notion that Ricky’s mother and her friends from the church felt compelled to safeguard him upon his return after a long absence. Additionally, I chose my nephew for the role of the boy who receives a haircut from Ricky. Despite having just a week and a half to train him since he was new to acting, I’m accustomed to guiding non-actors.

In addition, I’ve invited actor Jadiah Bailey, who appeared in one of my earlier short films titled “K.I.N.G.”, to join us. My aim is to develop a series of films set within the same fictional universe. Thus, we plan to create a full-length version of “K.I.N.G.” and several other stories, all connected in this shared world. This concept is what I aspire to achieve. The initial film primarily focused on my personal life, particularly my father’s absence and my struggles as a troubled teenager. If given the opportunity, I want to shoot this sequel in the Caribbean. Furthermore, being an ex-military personnel, I also intend to create a spin-off based on my military experiences. My inspiration for these projects comes from my own life experiences and the people around me. This is what I encourage my students to emulate as well.

Tell me more about your military service — you were an Army medic, working in New York on September 11 and you’ve said that experience made you realize filmmaking was your path. How so?

That day, as if it were only yesterday, I found myself a young adult at the age of 20. My heart has always been drawn to the world of arts, yet I lacked the proper guidance in this field, so I was left trying to discover my role in life. In search of answers, I enlisted in the military. On that fateful day of September 11th, witnessing what unfolded before me, I realized that I didn’t want to be entangled in politics. Instead, I yearned to express myself and share my thoughts. And so, I decided to channel my energy into the arts.

Artistry has been a constant presence throughout my life’s journey. What began as simple sketching morphed into an ambition to act, which in turn developed into a passion for cinema. However, at a particular juncture, I was more focused on understanding how I could be here and how I could express the impact of my community upon this situation. That day served as one of the stones that initiated the wave of events leading me to where I am now.

What were some of those early films that inspired you?

Professor Spike Lee’s film “Do the Right Thing” left me utterly amazed when I first watched it. It was as if I exclaimed, “Wow!” The creativity of the movie was exceptional and strikingly original. Additionally, I have always admired “The Warriors”; there was just something captivating about watching them struggle against all obstacles and return home.

What was it like having Mr. Lee as a professor at NYU?

He was incredibly impressive. He provided countless valuable insights, and his support was unwavering. I recall feeling quite anxious when I went to his office for a private meeting to discuss our work, but I had to keep my nerves in check. However, he was exceptionally truthful, which proved invaluable for my filmmaking skills. I’m genuinely appreciative of that experience, and I eagerly anticipate seeing his feedback on the final product.

What was the best note that he gave you?

Stand firm with conviction, especially when it’s about something you deeply care for – your vision. Don’t let others sway you, because at the end of the day, if you genuinely believe in what you’re doing, that belief is all that truly counts. This principle has guided me throughout my journey as well.

What was the most challenging part of making this feature?

When I’m directing, I enjoy giving ample time to shape the performances, and honestly, I felt we could have used more time. We simply ran out: our shoot lasted 20 days; ideally, it would have been 25 days. However, there’s a certain charm in limitations, and we managed to make it work miraculously, thanks to divine intervention.

What do you hope to say with this movie?

My aim is to create profound films that resonate with human emotions. Every action I take is designed not just to amuse, but also to educate and stimulate thought. I strive to offer viewers an immersive viewpoint on events they may not have encountered before.

I love the way you ended your director’s statement with this question: “How can we as a society make space for redemption?” What is your answer to that question? Or how does this movie serve as your answer to that question?

It’d be fantastic if this movie sparks discussions and encourages compassion for former convicts, offering second chances to those genuinely making an effort to rejoin society. There are numerous initiatives available, but after speaking with individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system, it appears that early-intervention programs would be beneficial.

During our interviews with former inmates, we found that each penitentiary offers unique experiences – some provide excellent rehabilitation programs while others lack any at all. One individual shared his positive experience with reintegrating into society when he participated in a pre-release program. Unfortunately, such opportunities are scarce.

2025-01-26 02:18