I play Tynee, an orphaned kid left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. The only thing he has left is his dog, but they were separated following the storm. He spends most of his time searching for his dog and trying to find help from anybody who'll offer it. He makes an acquaintance with Karl Urban's character (Jack) and together they set out to start their lives over.
I did a lot of research on real people who survived Katrina. I also watched a documentary by Spike Lee called "When the Levees Broke." It was very educational and helped me become more in touch with Tynee. We actually filmed in New Orleans in the 9th Ward where Katrina hit the most. It was devastating to see how deserted and wiped out the place STILL is after so long.
The cast was really nice and professional. I had scenes with Karl Urban, Brittany Snow, Stephen Dorff, and Aisha Tyler. I didn't have any scenes with Laurence Fishburne, but I did get the chance to speak to him for a while. That time was very special, because not only is he one of my favorite actors, he is a really chill guy. I hope that if we do another movie together, he can share some of his knowledge and experience with me.
Tony Kaye is a great director and I'm very privileged to have worked with him. As far as my character went, he basically let me create Tynee so it would be authentic from a youth's point of view. I studied a lot on Katrina victims' reaction to the storm so that helped me make it real. He also gave me a lot of freedom on the musical side of the movie. I submitted five songs for the soundtrack and that was really cool to do.
"Black Water Transit"
Based on the novel by Carsten Stroud, "Black Water Transit" follows New York businessman Jack Vermillion (Laurence Fishburne), who's trying to fight his way out of a government frame. In an attempt to cut a deal to keep his son from being sent to a maximum security prison, he agrees to rat out a crooked former CIA agent. When the bust goes awry and leaves feds and NYPD officers dead, everyone wants to pin the blame on Jack, who now has to go on the run.
