CONVERSATION WITH FILM PRODUCER DARYL SLEDGE ON HIS HBO AWARD WINNING PRODUCTION, 2ND LIFE

CONVERSATION WITH FILM PRODUCER DARYL SLEDGE ON PRODUCING THE HBO AWARD WINNING FILM 2nd LIFE

Daryl Sledge is a Chicago native who moved to New York City in pursuit of his passion of producing film/television and theatre.
In doing so Daryl has produced for television, theatre and film. 

Daryl produced the award winning, incredibly funny, Off Broadway One Woman Project “FRIED CHICKEN AND LATKES” which starred Richard Pryor’s daughter, Rain Pryor. Daryl also produced the award winning feature documentary “THAT DAUGHTERS CRAZY”, as well as the HBO award winning film 2nd Life.

2nd Life is a short film where Madou Dosama and his wife immigrate from Africa, Burkina Faso, to America in pursuit of the American Dream, as Madou says in the film, “so it is called.” However, the journey is not what they expected as Madou works multiple jobs just to get by.

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CONVERSATION WITH FILM PRODUCER DARYL SLEDGE ON PRODUCING THE HBO AWARD WINNING FILM 2nd LIFE

Daryl Sledge is a Chicago native who moved to New York City in pursuit of his passion of producing film/television and theatre.
In doing so Daryl has produced for television, theatre and film. 

Daryl produced the award winning, incredibly funny, Off Broadway One Woman Project “FRIED CHICKEN AND LATKES” which starred Richard Pryor’s daughter, Rain Pryor. Daryl also produced the award winning feature documentary “THAT DAUGHTERS CRAZY”, as well as the HBO award winning film 2nd Life.

2nd Life is a short film where Madou Dosama and his wife immigrate from Africa, Burkina Faso, to America in pursuit of the American Dream, as Madou says in the film, “so it is called.” However, the journey is not what they expected as Madou works multiple jobs just to get by.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: From Directing Music Videos To Directing A Feature Film, RH Bless

ONE ON ONE WITH DARYL SLEDGE

Can you tell us about your role as producer in 2nd Life? How and why you did you became affiliated with the project?

Initially, I was approached by the writer/director to cast the film. And after reading the script, I felt compelled to do just that, cast the film. I sent the script to Doug E Doug, who is a friend, and he read it and said he loved the script and yes, he wanted to play the part. And then after casting Doug, the writer/director asked me to produce the film.

2nd Life tells a story that happens often in the United States. A well educated immigrant comes to America and has to work odd jobs because he is told that his academic qualifications do not meet US requirements. Or is told he’s overqualified. Is 2nd Life taking a stance against this view point or is the film only to highlight this reality?

I believe it is safe to say that 2nd LiFE heightened the reality of immigrants coming to America, having to settle for jobs that they are overqualified. It was produced in conjunction with the Goodwill Industry of NY/NJ, as part of their mantra to produce “good willed” situations, allowing the general populace an opportunity to fully use the services offered by Goodwill as a start or as a 2nd chance at life.

Upon watching the movie, a viewer can’t help but to wonder, given Madou’s professional qualifications, why did he come to America to work odd jobs? Why not stay in his professional field in his country? Can you elaborate on this?

I think those who come to America, come here with the belief that they can become anything they choose. This is not to say one cannot do so in their own land. But In terms of “free will”, America is the standard for that. The world has been conditioned to believe that if they want to be anything, going to America offers that. Many come to America to afford their child/children greater advances and opportunities.

Until his job interview, Madou comes across as a timid individual. But at his interview he is exuberant, confident, and unafraid to highlight the many of his achievements. What implications can be drawn form this?

I believe it’s safe to say Madou has always been confident. It takes a confident soul to practice medicine. He is an example of the human spirit. And…in terms of implications, we are all created equal and if given the opportunity neither land, sea or air can hinder us from achieving our dreams. Madou represents the human spirit, he represents humanity.

If we were to come across Madou today, what would you say he’d be doing?

If we were to come across Madou today, I am certain he’d be on the road to success and that he’d be very well travelled on that road.

VIEW 2nd LIFE

Below is a button link to view 2nd Life, available here on MarilynFilms.com. We encourage you to support independent filmmaking by viewing the film and we’d love to hear your take on it. You can simply comment below or send us your comments via our CONTACT page.

You can check out Daryl’s IMDB production credits.

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