Tobias Truvillion Talks Woodstock Film Fest's The Tested

The actor talks finding the right balance between social issues and straight up entertainment.

By Matt Patches at 5:45 PM
September 1, 2010

http://www.ugo.com/movies/tobias-truvillion-talks-woodstock-film-fests-the-tested

Credit: The Tested

This week, the official line-up for the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival was announced and looks to showcase a handful of emerging talent as well as East Coast premieres of Welcome to the Riley's and Stone, starring Robert de Niro and Edward Norton. See, it's not all hippies.

We had a chance to talk to Tobias Truvillion, one of the stars of The Tested, which will also have its premiere at Woodstock. The Tested threads three characters arc into one intertwined narrative: Julian Varone (Armando Riesco, National Treasure), a plain clothes cop who one year ago, gunned down an unarmed teen, Darraylynn Warren (Aunjanue Ellis, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3), the teen's grieving mother and Dre her younger son who begins to toy with ganglife.

Truvillion plays James, head honcho of the gang that draws Dre in - and he's not some cliche bad guy. Here's how Truvillion helped turn The Tested into a socially conscious piece of entertainment:

Matt Patches: There's a ton of independent film being produced out in the world right now. How does The Tested stand out from the pack?

Tobias Truvillion: It boils down to the story. Depending on the writing...I watch a lot of "old Hollywood." So I like the way they told the stories back in the day, I even like the acting back in the day. I think the acting was stronger then it is now. They try and trick us with camera tricks and special effects - I like straight stories. This is a difficult time in the world, especially in the states, but a real story that could breakthrough and entertain - that's something.

Prior to the movie, you had things like the Sean Bell case, you know, the young kid who was killed on the eve of his wedding and the police were acquitted, nobody was found guilty of the crime. The film relates back to the community. It doesn't have happy endings, it's not sugarcoated. What I love is that walk back from the theater to the car; there'll be a lot of discussion. What part they liked, how it relates to their own lives, the issues on the table. How do we move forward? Especially concerning the Black American experience.

Matt Patches: Tell me a little about your character James. Where did you seek inspiration? I'm assuming you're not masterminding your own gang inbetween acting gigs.

Tobias Truvillion: [laughs] James is...the patriarch of the community. He holds a lot of power, well-respected for many different reasons. I based the character off of someone I knew, the type of guy you wouldn't want to invite in your home [laughs]. He's a little scary. But I still tried to bring a likeability to him. These guys aren't just running around being angry, there's something driving them. I tried to bring that conviction and integrity to the character.

Matt Patches: Were there films that you went to for insight? Or films you would compare to The Tested for your own research?

Tobias Truvillion: During the time of the filming I was watching Eastern Promises, and at that time I really used that to help my character development. Even though these guys were mobsters, it was always business. "I'm going to kill you, but it's not personal. We can still go out to eat, but I'm still gonna kill you."

Matt Patches: You just did a film with Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes called Brooklyn's Finest and then you did Tested which is a much smaller film. From an actor's perspective, are there differences between working on bigger projects versus independent movies?

Tobias Truvillion: Honestly, going into any production...I have my own work ethic, I come from a theater background. I have my own preparation and time that I spent...but honestly, the crew of The Tested - I've been on some big budget movies that were wishy-washy, but this crew, and Brooklyn's Finest, were well run. The Tested crew, the lighting, the camera, they were impeccable. They were professional and it makes your job easier - and it shows in the finished product. All I had to do was get up and drive [laughs].

Matt Patches: What's on the horizon for you? Is it all acting from here or do you have other projects in the works?

Tobias Truvillion: I started a company called "Get On" - basically get on the bus or get under. It means, "it's time to do something with your life." Basically, motivational, inspirational slogan. We've actually started a few productions; a few music videos, PSAs. We're building up to the future.

Matt Patches: Movies?

Tobias Truvillion: Definitely. We're a multimedia package, we'll be able to create videos, anything under production.

The Tested will screen on Friday, October 1st and Sunday October 3rd at the Woodstock Film Festival and you can learn more about the film and watch a trailer by visiting The Tested website and Twitter account.