July 27, 2006: Fan-tasia.net interviewed Marci Stringer (Role: Tess )

First, I want to thank you for taking time out to do this.

Marci: No problem. I feel honored that you even asked me.

Fandash: Is this your first film?

Marci: Yes, this is my first professional feature film. I've done some independents and industrials.

Fandash: I know that you're very involved with theatre, which do you like best film or theatre?

Marci: I got my master's degree from the University of Florida. So, I've been doing theatre for a long time. But I've always wanted to do film. So I like them both, but for different reasons. Film, because of the slice of life. It's just like pretend. I loved pretend as a little girl and it's like pretend to another level. With theatre it's live…so you can't go back and you can't tape over it and that's a rush that I get that nothing else can satisfy.

Fandash: Were you a fan of Fantasia before this film?

Marci: OMG! Yes I was! My sister and I are huge Fantasia fans. I'm a single mom and when I saw her doing her thing, I was like "yes, power to this sister." When her CD first came out me and my sister both ran to Target. Neither of us knew what the other was getting. We came out and we had bought each other Fantasia's CD. We were screaming and yelling the whole way home. We love her.

Fandash: Tell me a little about your character "Tess".

Marci: She's the funny one in the bunch. She's real. She puts it like it is. If you ask her a question, she's going to tell you like it is. Her opinion isn't based on morals or ethics. It's just based on what she's learned in her life. She's a hard knock. She's a hustler. She just tries to keep food on the table for her kids…..and she's crazy. She just says what she wants to say.

Fandash: Where can we expect to see you in the film?

Marci: Basically whenever you see the baby mama's you will see me. We have a few different scenes. But that's when you'll see me.

Fandash: Tell me a little about the baby momma club.

Marci: I think that what Fantasia was trying to do with the whole Baby Mama song...to go back a little bit…was to give girls hope… that it can be done. That you can still pursue your hopes and dreams and be whatever you want to be if you go after it. I think a lot of people misinterpreted it and took it as an anthem to be a baby mama. And I think that totally defeated what the intent was. So with our group in the movie we are just a bunch of survivors and hustlers. And we support one another. We really vibed and clicked like that. We were sisters. And we watched over Fantasia because she was younger than us.

Fandash: How did you prepare for your role as Tess?

Marci: Basically, I read the script over and over to see where I fit in and to figure out what my purpose was in the telling of this story. Also to make sure that I served the story writer, to be sure that whatever I did totally reflected his intent. I pulled from my own experiences and others experiences. I wanted it to (play) it too hard because I wanted it to be as organic as possible. And when it was time for action, I just let it all come out. And I really think Debbie appreciated that.

Fandash: Speaking of Debbie, tell me about your experience with her?

Marci: Debbie Allen is so inspirational. She really knows how to pull out of an actor what she ultimately sees as her vision. I had no confusion as to what she wanted from me. There was total clarity. And I don't talk about directors like this....I'm going to tell the truth. She was so professional, inspirational and specific. A lot of times I work with people and they don't really know what they want. But Debbie, she had it all together. She was very complimentary, and I appreciated that.
Fandash: I'm hearing that from everyone. They're saying that her professionalism made it easier for them on this project.

Fandash: Had you read the book prior to doing this project?

Marci: I had not read it prior to the project. But when I started auditioning for it, I was like OMG! I've got to read it. Once I read the book, I had a better understanding of the script…and of what she was trying to say…and what was important to her. And too, I had a chance to sit down next to her and talk and share concerns that we had together. And we had so much in common.

Fandash: Were you surprised by Fantasia's acting ability?

Marci: You know...I really didn't know what to expect. I knew that this was her first project. But when I talked to her, I was like she's playing herself. So she can't lose from winning. When I was watching her from the sidelines I was like gosh, she's really good. She was honoring what she was saying. She really jumped in the water with her eyes wide open and I take my hat off to her because she did it. And she did a really good job.

Dana, working the hair to a tee!

Tess's Star

Marci maxin'

Fandash: What was your favorite part of the experience?

Marci: Sitting at the table with all the baby mamas between takes. Just laughing and getting ready for our scene. We would be sitting at that table talking about everything. Smoking fake cigarettes and drinking fake 40's. LOL! We were just tripping. It was so nice because everyone was so nice and there was no tension…and that surprised me.

Fandash: How did you get involved with the project?

Marci: My agent gave me the info. I went to put my audition on tape. I found out how many parts were available and I told her that I wanted to do all of them. So I auditioned for all of them. They called me from New Orleans about three or four days later. I flew down and met Debbie. I felt good about it. There were so many women there that could totally do it. Before I went I prayed about it. I said, "Lord, I pray that your favor be written on my forehead. That I stand out among anyone." And that's exactly what happened.

Fandash: Will we get any new material from Fantasia in the movie?

Marci: I think so. I did hear them talking about that. I do believe that it's coming so you can basically put one in the bank.

Fandash: Do you have any song titles for me?

Marci: No I don't. I wish I did. I wish I would have asked because I'm all over her music. But I do believe that she has some new stuff that's specifically for this movie.

Fandash: After meeting Fantasia, what stood out about her?

Marci: She's the girl next door. She was so down to earth. She even called my sister on the phone. The girl has the ability to make you think you're her best friend. I left there like man…me and Fantasia are best friends. And not only is she real…but when we were getting ready to leave…the people were crying. Children and adults. They didn't want her to leave and she didn't want to leave. We had been talking and hanging out with these people. She had really made an impact on them in just a week. Most of them even followed us to our next location. That explains what type of person she is. She's just amazing. 

Fandash: Thank you so much again!

Marci: Thank you

Interviewer: LS

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