Interview with C. Jarrell Echols

James Barberousse: What event or events in your childhood got you interested in the film industry and in writing?

C. Jarrell Echols: This one is a little personal, but I don't mind answering it. Growing up in the environment that I did, my mind was my great escape. My imagination took me away from the stresses of reality and became a refuge. Movies and television were the doorway to new and exciting things to imagine for me. If I saw a movie that I liked, I would imagine that I was the character in that film and let my imagination go. As far as writing goes, one day I was given a writing assignment in class when I was in the 6th grade and was allowed to write whatever I wanted. I wrote like 10 pages of this story about an African's decent into slavery. I got a good grade and took the story home to my mother so she could see what I did. While reading it, she started to cry. I thought I upset her, but she explained to me that the intensity of the story really moved her. I didn't know anything about all that, I was just writing what was in my head; but I fell in love with evoking that type of emotion out of someone through my own words and thoughts. I knew from that point on, what I was gifted with and what I needed to do.

JB: How did you hear about the movie Ray of Sunshine?

CJE: While attending a screenwriting class at LSU, one of the classmates advised me to check out BPCC's film department. After enrolling in their spring semester, I inquired how I could be involved in the writing aspect of the BPCC productions, and I was sent directly to Clif Cardin, who told me all about Ray of Sunshine.

JB: During filming you worked closely with Matthew Carroll (who played Trevor Billingsley). How was it working with him? Did you two become friends?

CJE: It was a great learning experience. Working with someone who is so talented and has so many credits under his belt really allowed me to "act" like I knew what I was doing by watching him. Between takes I asked his advice on how to approach a scene, or what he does to pull certain emotions out of himself. He was a great professional and a pleasure to work with. We did become friends partly because we knew that our characters had to have a certain chemistry, but mostly because we had a natural connection.

JB: I understand this was your first screen roll. How did you approach the character of Ray Evans? Did you do any research?

CJE: Yes, this was my first acting anything. It wasn't hard to delve into this character because we are so much alike. I was teased in school for being an African American with a lighter skin complexion. So I basically took my own experiences and multiplied them by 10 to portray a character who is actually twice my age. I do have a few friends with the State Troopers, and they were also able to give me great insight.

JB: What was the easiest and most challenging aspects of portraying Ray Evans on screen?

CJE: Well, the easiest was probably dealing with the racial tension that this character has to put up with, but the hardest, I don't know, there are so many aspects to choose from, lol. Being that I had never acted before just being natural on camera was difficult for me at first. Also dealing with the emotional disappointment of the character not being able to see his actual birth parents was a challenge.

JB: In the movie, Ray Evans faces blatant racism. Have you ever experienced that?

CJE: Oh, many times, especially growing up in the South, from teachers, neighbors, fellow students, and just everyday people that you might walk past. Racism takes place on all sides of the color lines. I was taught at a young age by my mother and grandmother that I am capable of accomplishing anything that I put my mind to as long as I keep my mind clear and don't entertain ignorant cloudy perceptions of life, such as racism.

JB: Do you think this movie has a message for its viewers? If so, what is it?

CJE: Of course it has a message. Some of mankind has let the tone and complexion of 3 centimeters of flesh poison their moral beliefs towards other human beings, and it's time to let it go.

JB: I understand your main interest is in writing. What are some of things you have written recently? Have they been published or are they in production?

CJE: Well, I currently have two screenplays, one called Satan's Lie, and the other is called Slit. Both are very dynamic and character driven. Neither have been sold or optioned as of yet, but I am working on it. My third is in development; it is called Cain and Abel.