Caught by the acting bug and the love of characters, actor Nicoye Banks is steadily building his repertoire as an upcoming star in show business. New Orleans-bred, Banks loves his craft where he is versatile in performing for film and stage. If you don’t know who he is, I guarantee you from his filmography you will begin to recognize this hidden gem. Already having films under his belt like, G, Invincible, Brooklyn’s Finest and Pride & Glory, he has tackled his latest role as Will Bennett in T.D. Jakes film, Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day. In a recent interview with Parlé Magazine, Nicoye Banks talks about his goals as an actor and as a person, how he researches for a role and how it was acting in a faith-based film.
Parlé Magazine: How has the ride as an accomplished actor been?
Nicoye Banks: The ride is good and it continues to be good.
Parlé: What were your goals for your acting career when you started?
Nicoye Banks: First and foremost, to work, to do meaningful good work and I always hope and pray that strong scripts and characters come my way.
Parlé: Is it what you expected?
Nicoye Banks: No. I expected it to be faster and I’m glad it didn’t happen like that.
Parlé: Who are some of your influences?
Nicoye Banks: It ranges from Laurence Fishburne, Ben Sherman, James Earl Jones, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Cicely Tyson.
Parlé: As an actor do you choose your roles wisely or do you go through some bad apples?
Nicoye Banks: The roles that I got, are the ones that at the time I needed in my life. I’m not at the point at having many scripts that are set before me and having the choice. I have to fight for the roles that I had but I’m grateful for it.
Parlé: What do you look for in a role?
Nicoye Banks: It has to be meaningful and giving a message.
Parlé: Is there a role has touched you the most?
Nicoye Banks: The role, Will Bennett in Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day. The character showed professionalism in a situation that was personal and I had to pull on a lot of past experiences to be in that place for the role.
Parlé: What was your research in approaching Will’s character?
Nicoye Banks: I began to research psychopaths and sociopaths to understand who and what my character is searching for. I did some minor research on detectives, what they think and what they go through as far as academia is concerned.
Parlé: Did it influence your role heavily?
Nicoye Banks: I saturated myself with as much knowledge as I acquired and enough for me to comprehend. In the scenes what I learned was on my mind and it helped bring me into character.
Parlé: Was playing that type of role in a faith-based film hard?
Nicoye Banks: I thought it would be, but dealing with the director on the set made all the difference in the world. That is one of those key things in needing and having a strong director that we had in Neema Barnette. She came and smoothed down the edges with the difficulty of the character.
Parlé: How was it on the set working with director, Neema Barnette?
Nicoye Banks: It was good, she’s very personable and you automatically see her passion. Her characteristics spill into her work.
Parlé: Who do you hope the film touches the most?
Nicoye Banks: The subjects that are mentioned in this film are knowledgeable so I hope it touches everyone that sees it. It’s something in there that can be learned from all age ranges.
Parlé: Besides acting, what are your goals?
Nicoye Banks: I would like to do more community service work. I began a workshop called, “The Art of the Craft,” that teaches artists how to act to enhance the craft. “The Case Heart” is a foundation where I want to give scholarships away to those who want to leave their comfort zones and go out and pursue craft.
Parlé: What can people expect from you besides the film?
Nicoye Banks: I’m going back to the stage in a touring stage play; I’m producing documentaries and a movie. Expect my movement to take heart and to grow!
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