The sci-fi film genre is an odd place to find high profile Black female characters. The lack of diversity in Hollywood films is a well-known problem, but the statistics in the Sci-fi and Fantasy film genre is striking: nearly 0% of protagonists are women of color. The small representation of diversity is staggering, so much so that when there is some representation of Black women, such as Storm (X-men), Uhura (Star Trek), Michonne (The Walking Dead), and Zoe Washburne (Firefly) they resonate with you. I grew up reading X-men comics, and while I had physical traits that were closer to…
Author: Rhym Guisse
Rhym Guisse
Rhym Guissé stepped into her acting shoes at a young age with witty impersonations and dramatic theatre at the family dinner table. She spent her childhood furthering her natural acting talents with choral singing, ballet dance classes and theatre. The efforts soon paid off when Rhym was cast in her first independent film, “La Méduse Rouge,” a French noir film. Rhym was born in Annaba, Algeria, to a Malian father and Algerian mother. She experienced many different cultures and societies from an early age and speaks three languages. Rhym’s cultural diversity has greatly influenced her artistically and cultivates her intense motivation to succeed. "My background is so varied and diverse, I've never been one to look at what the next person is doing," she says. "My travels and cultural experiences have set me apart and I will never blend in." It is this confidence and passion that motivates Rhym to achieve her dreams. A true artist, Rhym continues to effortlessly float between the disciplines of acting, music and art. Rhym continues to seek roles that challenge her as a woman and as an artist.
In the entertainment industry it is no surprise for an actor to avoid taking a stance on a topic or make any statement relative to the traditional American faux pas such as religion or politics. On one hand you have a large group of established, veteran actors featured on political, religious or social cause propaganda. But, then you have the rest of working actors who – for the most part – stay mum when it comes to publicly being opinionated. Who can blame us? There is a perfectly economical reason for avoiding the taboos. Many will advise you, as I’ve…
No, this wasn’t a scene I was preparing for…this was last week leaving set after four days straight of twelve plus hour work days. Exhaustion, delirium and my nerves had gotten the better of me. Recently, I got into a car accident. It was shocking and very unnerving to have to incur yet another bill and my safety was jeopardized. Yes, it was that stupid and that quick. It all happened so fast I had no idea what to do…the panic set in and then I did something I never do in a stressful situation, I laughed. Hysterically. Why? A…
If you combine all of the best actors who constantly book work and whose work you admire, you’ll find one commonality: discipline. There isn’t a day that goes by when I mention my profession to someone and am met with shock about my lifestyle and schedule. I’m bombarded with questions/comments such as “but you’re an actor, if you have all this time why are you so strict with your days, shouldn’t it just be auditioning and filming?” I then try to enlighten them to what that entails, but get a disconcerting feeling only when I find out that they are…
Fortunately or unfortunately, our industry is one that depends on human relationships. Directors and filmmakers more often than not choose actors not only based on their talents and professionalism but also on their ability to get along well with others. That’s right, usually when it comes down to you and another actor, your ‘like-ability’is the deciding factor. After all it is long hours on set with, sometimes, not so nice crew members and somehow the “magic”is supposed to happen. The last thing they want is a diva actor who’s “too good”to be a team-player and is whining for 12 hours…
I just recently got my first gig teaching, an on-camera acting class. I teach on-camera acting as well as theater for middle school and high school students at a local theater as a part of summer camp, it’s pretty awesome. At first, I wasn’t sure about taking the chance and accepting the position, and had to think about it for some time. To many, becoming a teacher is an act of throwing in the towel for whatever profession you’re in, or something you do at the end of your career to pass on all the golden knowledge you’ve acquired. I’ve…
I know I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m a road warrior, but in case you didn’t catch it before: I practically live out of my car. Being on the road is a love and hate type of relationship, I’m just glad my poor Jetta has always been up to the task and an old faithful. If you’re an actor in Los Angeles or New Orleans, you are familiar with driving to auditions that are “who knows where areas,” spread all over the city’s landscape. Even if you’re based in the New York City area, as an actor you understand…
Last year I was fortunate enough to attend Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. And I can definitely add that to my list of best experiences of a lifetime. Getting the honor of meeting and chatting with the greats such as Forest Whitaker, was one of the most humbling experiences as an actor. (In case you were wondering, Forest and I discussed the importance of providing a platform for the many young and talented African filmmakers.) Making unforgettable friends, attending exclusive industry parties (Mekhi Phifer threw the DOPEST poker party and was the sweetest host), going to discussion panels…
Summa, summa, summa-timmeee! It’s summer time and that bikini beach body is on everyone’s mind. That’s all good and stuff, but let’s focus in on our careers here. Getting in shape for the beach is awesome, but this should really apply to being camera-svelte all year-round. As actresses we are always conscious of our health and fitness, after all we do want the camera to love us. The meme ‘Eat clean, train dirty’ is everywhere I look…this mantra, along with the cross-fit worshipers has taken health and fitness to a whole new level. While I’m super happy to see that…
“Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of — for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” -Socrates Key word is reputation. We all like to ideally have a positive reputation and be known for our craft, its only natural. So why is it, given that there is so much good and positive…
I recently watched the new film Robocop starring my favorite actor, Gary Oldman. As a teen I fell in love with Gary Oldman’s performance in Dracula and have been an avid fan since. So basically anything he stars in, I watch. Additionally, the scif-fi genre is among one my most loved genre of films – and I’m a big skeptic, having watched Star Trek and The X-Files growing up, there’s definitely a fine line between awesome and cheesy. I did enjoy Robocop. Gary Oldman’s acting knocked it out of the ballpark as the tormented, genius scientist and the story had…
Many actors make the mistake of depending on their agent to do the bulk of the work with delusions of grandeur: submitting you for Hollywood top gigs, networking with other professionals in the field, and dictating the path your career is to take. While these are the romantic responsibilities we see agents do on tv and in movies, it is NOT real life. Whether you are in the process of finding your first agent or going through a breakup with your current agent, this one-way relationship is anything but. I, personally, am currently going through an agency transition and am…
While the holiday season has slowed down for many actors at this time of the year, I’ve generally advised actors to focus on their training, professional development, rebranding strategies etc. These are all valuable and important tasks in-between gigs and while the working season is slower. BUT, what I’d like to add – more importantly- is focusing on your personal development. Trying to attain peace of mind should be a year-round goal, but it seems to be more crucial during the hectic holidays than any other time of the year. As an actor, work is slow and then there are…
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best when it comes to sharing feelings or participating in the dating world. Far from it, actually. I’m what one would call a ‘late bloomer,’ I grew up a tomboy and opted-out of dealing romantically with boys through middle and high school, and even part of college. I’m glad that I was wise enough at such a young age to understand that my feelings or sense of love would be limited at that age, and travelling the world also helped. The drama that ensued a girlfriend’s break up at 17…