Cherish The Day: Basis 2020

Cherish the Day
Season 1 - Episode 4
”Basis”

Synopsis

A year and a half after the start of Evan and Gently's relationship, Evan consults with both Ben and Miss Luma to plan a romantic getaway for Gently. However, Gently ends up surprising Evan in a move that could re-chart the couple's course forever.

Array

I loved directing this episode of “Cherish The Day,” my second of the show, and my third episode of TV that was an Ava DuVernay project for the Oprah Network, OWN. I had the chance to work in the offices at ARRAY, Ava’s production company in Los Angeles, meeting and working with a deeply talented team of collaborators. Seeing the brick-and-mortar realization of this space that creates so much opportunity and expansion for filmmakers who don’t usually get the attention they deserve was so inspiring. Ava doesn’t just talk, she truly walks the walk when it comes to expanding on her own success to include others, prioritizing the ones who are under-represented and under-valued in our industry. What’s amazing about being a part of this, is there is no way that seed isn’t planted in all of us. As we pursue our careers with so much passion, we keep a consciousness of making sure it’s not just for ourselves, that we are bringing more artists along with us.

Working with Actors

Working with the actors on Cherish The Day was such a privilege. Cicely Tyson, Alano Miller, Xosha Roquemore, and Michael Beach consistently made me cry with the nuance and deep love in their performances. I loved shooting this breakfast scene at the beginning of the episode, in which Alano’s character, Evan, has come to ask for permission to marry his love, Gently, played by Xosha. Michael Beach was so powerful and moving in his role as Gently’s father, and setting up the tension of the scene was a lot of fun. It was written so that Alano not only has to win over Gently’s father but all of the men in her life who love her and raised her, her uncles. I loved the smooth, natural chemistry these men had with one another, their humor and formidable protectiveness of Gently bringing even more layers of familial love to this show that is all about love. And it’s also just great entertainment. I love holding the space for these masters to do their work and reveal themselves.

A New Balcony Scene

I loved working with Xosha Roquemore and Alano Miller together in both episodes, and the emotional peaks and valleys in “Basis” were so beautifully performed by them. Xosha could reach such a deep fragility and vulnerability under the surface of her strong and resilient character. And Alano’s intensity and passion for her served the story of heartbreak and thrilling relief in such a gratifying way. It was such a pleasure to direct their final scene of the episode, when in a reverse Romeo and Juliet balcony scene, this time with the man on the balcony and the woman professing her love, Gently proposes to Evan so vulnerably and truly. Seeing this couple work through their self doubt and fear and then seeing their love win in this episode felt like such a gift.

The Light

With a very fast production schedule and relatively low budget for television, my AD, Anderson Vllien and DP Eduardo Mayén were amazing at scheduling our days to take advantage of the sun. So many astonishing and stunning moments were captured because of where the sun landed in the sky in and in our lens. Prisms of light elevated so many emotional moments of the story in the most magical ways.