Just in time for Christmas, December 23, 2022, marks the official release of the film Babylon, written and directed by Acadamy Award-winner Damien Chazelle. Babylon chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity. The highly anticipated Paramount Pictures film is set in 1920s Los Angeles during Hollywood’s early transition from silent to sound films. With Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Diego Calva leading the way, Telvin Griffin continues to live out his dreams with his big-screen debut!
The ‘country brotha from Texarkana’ is set to portray Reginald, a straight-shooting saxophone player, who is faced with an unexpected rivalry with fellow trumpet player Sidney Palmer (played by Jovan Adepo).
How It Started
It’s always interesting to find out if a person always knew they would excel in their field or if it came about later in life. With Telvin Griffin, he knew. From a young age, he had a knack for entertainment and could always be found with a microphone. Church and his love for the piano allowed him to fall in love with performing. That, along with playing in his junior high band, natural progression lead him to take center stage in front of the camera as his school’s new anchor. It was at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, that he followed his passion and went on to study broadcast journalism. As a former wide receiver, he remains close to the sport. Telvin can also be found as a high school and college football referee in Southern California.
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“It’s been such a blessing, and a learning experience”
Telvin Griffin on his big screen debut
Telvin can be best recognized for appearing on multiple hit television series (including CW’s Dynasty, Fox’s Deputy, and the Emmy-Award-Winning ABC comedy, Blackish, as well as several national commercials, including national Dodge Ram and Wing Stop campaigns). Finally, now we get to see him on the big screen!
Television vs. Film and Theatre
The jump from television to the big screen can intimidate many people, but Telvin Griffin was excited to experience the nuances first-hand. “Film, you can be a lot more creative,” he stated, “television, sometimes you may come in for a few episodes and not know what’s going to happen to your character for a whole season or so.” Film allows for more freedom. His job now is more intricate because there’s a story (told over a couple of hours) that develops a character throughout the film’s beginning, middle and end. Television is very structured. “It moves at a fast pace. You can come in for one episode and be done,” he explains.
With a lead in an upcoming August Wilson play in the new year, Telvin lights up when the theatre is mentioned. “Theatre is something I’m very passionate about! It’s where you work the gift. It’s where you work the craft. There’s no cut. There is no stop. There’s no action. You get on that stage, and whatever you have been working on, and whatever you’re developing, that’s what you get up there and put on. You get to really feel the energy of the audience.”
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Mental Health
Telvin has been approached for the lead on a film that dives heavily into mental health. It isn’t easy to be open to expressing emotions freely. He acknowledges how heavy the societal pressures can be for a black man in America. Telvin recalled why the script spoke to him. “I know as African American men; we kind of tend to overlook the mental health aspect of the human body. By doing that, we set ourselves back. The things that we are overlooking and suppressing. Those things ultimately will fester up and at some point boil over if we don’t deal with the root cause.”
Telvin Griffin spoke on the unmeasurable role that having a close group of friends plays on your mental health. He expressed gratitude for the male friends he has on speed dial. “I can call them anytime and say I’m struggling today, and vice versa. There’s no ego attached to it. There’s no judgment attached. At the end of the day, we’re all helping each other because we are all our brother’s and our sister’s keeper.”
Soul Care
Telvin, confident in his ability to admit when he’s feeling less than one hundred percent, has experienced the benefits of self-work. He mentioned how we tend to care for our bodies but often forget to care for our souls. “Soul care is when you’re dealing with the mind, the will, and the emotions. [I have to ask myself] Is my mind right?” Mixing soul care with self-care is his recipe for success, and we love that!
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“Toxic masculinity is a curse. It’s something that is part of the ego. We’re scared to say ‘I need help’. Men are afraid to access their emotions, or are afraid to dive deep into soul care.”
Telvin on Toxic Masculinity
See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep 23 – A Sit-Down w/ Fashion Santa
Free Game
It takes thick skin to make it in show business, and Griffin is no stranger to rejection. He quickly realized that acting is gruelling because “99% of the time, we’re told no.” Something that he was not aware of. Telvin let us in on some discoveries about the industry that he wished someone had told him about before.
He explains how sometimes you don’t get the part, which may not have anything to do with you. “The producer could be friends with the actor he wants, or you could be someone that looks like someone who used to bully a producer, and they don’t give you the role because of that.” Unfortunately, many of those times, you don’t know that until later on.
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“No matter how much talent you have. No matter how much you might be in the right place at the right time, it’s still about patience. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Griffin On Advice he wished he was given
Inspiration
Being born and raised in Texarkana, Arkansas, Telvin’s inspiration comes from his parents. “I watched them grind and sacrifice, and they didn’t complain about it.” Growing up, there were times when they would go without food to make sure that their kids ate. A sacrifice that Telvin is grateful for. He owes his success to it. “It doesn’t matter how tired I am; I still have to go out there and get it.” Griffin proudly recited.
Still considered the start of his career, Griffin’s goal is to eventually follow in the footsteps of some of today’s most influential actors, including Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, and Denzel Washington. Although his true love lies in acting, when not on set, he enjoys playing the piano/keyboard, a skill he learned to play by ear. We’re excited about Telvin Griffin’s big-screen debut and the many successes to follow.
