Donald Glover reveals what it was like to work on his new TV show, Atlanta.
Donald Glover recently wrapped production for his new FX series Atlanta, in Atlanta, Georgia. Now the part-time rapper and full time actor is revealing what it was like to work on the show and the goals he wished to accomplish while working on the TV series.
Speaking with Vulture, Glover went into detail about on how this show will serve as a platform to help educate people about what it is really like to be Black in America.
“I wanted to show white people, you don’t know everything about black culture… I know it’s very easy to feel that way. Like, I get it, you can hear about the Nae Nae the day it comes out… You follow Hood Vines, and you have your one black friend and you think they teach you everything, I get it that Deshaun said that black people love … n*gga, I hate Deshaun.”
Glover also revealed what it was like pitching the TV series to executives.
An original suggestion from the network was for [Glover’s rapper/drug dealer cousin on the show] Paper Boi to live in a home as run-down and “traplike” as possible. “We were like, ‘No, he’s a drug dealer, he makes enough money to live in a regular apartment,’ ” Glover said. “There were some things so subtle and black that people had no idea what we were talking about.” One actor purposefully delivered his line in a drawl that was nearly indecipherable if you didn’t grow up in Atlanta. “After three takes, Hiro [Murai, director] took me aside and was like, ‘I don’t know what he’s saying.’ To Hiro, this n*gga is speaking patois.” Glover laughed. “That character is an artifact. Culturally, we’re becoming very homogenized. That dude isn’t going to be around in seven years. You aren’t going to be able to find him. White people are moving into Bankhead,” one of the historically blackest neighborhoods in Atlanta. Glover paused. “It’s important that dude gets represented in this show.”
Glover also discussed what it was like to film in Atlanta. He explained how filming in Atlanta was a unique opportunity, as the city is a real representation of how different the black experience can be – something the actor references a lot in his Childish Gambino songs.
It’s important to point out a large majority of the show’s cast members and writing staff were Atlanta natives. In fact, it was everyone’s first writers’ room making it clear Glover wanted to give Atlanta creatives an opportunity to showcase their talents on the big screen.
Atlanta premieres on September 6th.
Via Vulture
Related:
- Watch the Official Trailer for Donald Glover’s ‘ATLANTA’ [VIDEO]
- Donald Glover’s FX Series ‘Atlanta’ is Now Hiring
- FX’s ‘Atlanta’ Starring Donald Glover Casting Call for New Talent
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