May 1 , 2000

by Veronica Mixon

Nelson, who played Fresh in a convincing and unforgettable performance, not only carried the film but held his own with veteran actor, Samuel L. Jackson.

Nelson's next film was "American Buffalo" opposite Al Pacino and Dennis Franz. He's also appeared in numerous episodic television dramas, like "Homicide" and "Law and Order."

Born and raised in New York City, "The Wood" is Nelson's first opportunity to do comedy. The young actor is also attend Temple University and he hopes to director some day.

THE INTERVIEW

This is quite a different script for you, isn't?
When I read the script, I really loved it from the jump. It was love story. It was really funny too and it had a lot of aspects I could relate to.

Sean & Melinda

Did you know Omar Epps would play your character as an adult?
No, I didn't even know that. But I really liked that, you know, Omar Epps playing me older. He was a really cool guy when I met. We didn't really work too much together cause he was an older me and we didn't have any scenes together. But we got to meet and talk a little so we'd get to know each other - and maybe check out each other. I guess he watched me - my little movements or whatever so maybe he could copy those and bring that to the character when he had to play the same person older, you know. But he's a very cool guy to work with.

Was this role challenging because your other film roles are much more serious?
Not really 'cause that's how I am in real life. I joke around a lot in real life. I want to do a lot of different things, a lot of different characters and not just the same thing all the time. So comedy was something that I wanted to do but it just seemed like it just never happened before "The Wood." But, it wasn't that hard to do, you know, because I act that way sometimes.

How did you get involved in acting?
It started when I was real young. In kindergarten, I was singin' in school plays and singin' in the church and doin' a lot of different charity things for my school. So my moms, she just got me into the whole performing arts thing. I learned how to play the piano, taking dance and acting classes. I just started to like acting more and I just kept going with that.

Some actors have difficulty making the transition from child actor to adults. Are you going through a phase like that?
I think it had gotten a little dry but it wasn't too bad. Right now I'm older but they still got me playing younger roles but that's just how it is I think with the business. They don't want me to switch over too quickly. It really hasn't been too bad 'cause I take a lot of time off to concentrate on school. Its not like I'm just tryin' to work all the time. I guess I've been lucky to get work, you know, when I wanted it or when I needed it during the summer. It works out with school and things like that because right now I'm going to college too.

You have other plans for your future?
I want to get into something else besides acting, 'cause I wanna have something else to make a career out of besides acting. You know I can't see anything else, do anything else. I love this business. It's what I wanna do.

Did you have favorite scene in The Wood?
It was fun to do like the party scene. They had a lot of extras and there were girls in there and stuff, but I don't really have a favorite scene. I guess the hardest scene was probably be the love scene because I never did anything like that before on camera so, that was weird. But it worked out well because I was able to use the uneasiness in the character, cause that's how it was suppose to be.

Did they close the set?
They kicked a few people out. But in "Fresh," I had a scene where I was naked and they kicked everybody out for that except the director and the cinematographer. But that scene in "The Wood" wasn't that serious. They kicked some people out. It wasn't that bad.

How do you feel about nudity?
I think that's something that I'll get comfortable with in time. You know, I got to get used to it cause if I have to do it, I'll do a love scene if it's in the script even though it's just weird.