- 2 hours ago
"I don’t think I could’ve been a worse rapper before I started filming this movie. I don’t know if there’s a worse rapper in the world than I was before filming this," Worthy told The Hollywood Reporter.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:03Hi, this is Mariah Gullo from The Hollywood Reporter, and I'm in studio today with Calum Worthy.
00:08Hey, how's it going?
00:09I'm fantastic. How are you?
00:11Good. We're here to talk about your new movie, Bodied.
00:14Yes.
00:15And the first thing I want to know is, what does bodied mean?
00:19Okay, so bodied, it's like when someone destroys another rapper in a round.
00:25Because it's like they did so well in the battle that they killed him, and they're getting a body bag.
00:30Ah, nice. Okay, got it, got it.
00:34Yeah, this project is produced by Eminem, so how much did you know about that coming in, and what was
00:42your interaction with him?
00:43I mean, Eminem has been always one of my favorite rappers.
00:46I grew up listening to him. 8 Mile is one of my favorite movies, so being able to do a
00:52project with him was amazing.
00:53And, I mean, he really raised the bar for battle rap movies, and he's one of the best battle rappers
00:58in the world.
00:59So the fact that we get his stamp of approval means a lot.
01:02Yeah, and what's the differences between the battle raps embodied and in 8 Mile?
01:09Like, what should people expect?
01:11Well, the culture's changed a lot.
01:13There's no beat now in battle rap, so now it's more like beat poetry.
01:18So there's no music behind it, it's just two people talking.
01:20What that allows for is a lot more crowd interaction, so you can play off of what other people are
01:26doing in the audience.
01:28The other thing that's changed is the world as well.
01:31Social media's changed, cultural appropriation has changed a little bit, freedom of speech versus where is the limit is a
01:38discussion that's really common right now.
01:40And those are the two things that we tackle, which I would also argue are two of the most controversial
01:43topics in 2018.
01:44Which is really interesting, because when Eminem came up, the hip-hop world was dealing with the same things.
01:52Very controversial lyrics, lots of insults to people of, you know, everything from body shaming and slut shaming.
02:01And, I mean, Eminem, you know, went into it pretty hardcore.
02:06And today we have, like, a different culture and a different environment, but it's still kind of the same ideas
02:12that are being circulated.
02:14Like, how nasty can you get with freedom of speech?
02:17Exactly, yeah.
02:18I mean, most of the world it's so hard to, for good reason, say certain things.
02:23You get ridiculed and censored if you say certain things.
02:27Battle rap is a world where you don't necessarily.
02:29Like, two people can be battling each other and they can do, say, these incredible insults about each other and
02:34then grab a drink afterwards.
02:36Right.
02:36And it's a really interesting place to be right now.
02:40Because there isn't many worlds where you're able to say those kinds of things.
02:43Which is the reason why it's not just a battle rap movie.
02:46It's really a movie about freedom of speech and raising a lot of questions.
02:49We don't make any statements.
02:50We just want the audience to come away and talk about what they got from the movie.
02:55It's kind of like being in a mosh pit.
02:57Yeah.
02:57Right?
02:58Because everybody's punching and throwing punches.
03:01But then at the end of the day, if you fall down, they pick you back up.
03:04They're like, hey, good job.
03:06Exactly.
03:06We did it together.
03:07Yeah.
03:07And that was the amazing thing is so many of these battlers are friends in real life.
03:10Some of them aren't.
03:11Some of them don't get along.
03:12The beef is real.
03:14But some of them, they actually are true friends, even though they battle each other.
03:17And what was your rap game like before the movie?
03:21I don't think I could have been a worse rapper before I started filming this movie.
03:25I don't know if there's a worse rapper in the world than I was before filming this.
03:30That was the amazing thing is that Joseph Kahn, the director of this film, he was able to trust me
03:35with that.
03:36And he wanted me for the role.
03:39But he told me, he's like, you're the worst rapper to read for this project.
03:43I need you to learn how to rap.
03:45And I can't take any credit for the actual raps going well.
03:50It's all because of the battle rap community.
03:52They really embraced me.
03:53And they spent countless hours working with me and breaking down every single rap that we have to do.
03:58And it's really because of them that I was able to learn how to rap.
04:01Who were some of the people that helped you along the way?
04:04Disaster, who's, I mean, all these guys are some of the best battle rappers in the world.
04:08It's like Disaster, Hollow, Loaded Lux, Kid Twist, Roan, Dumbfounded.
04:14They were all really influential.
04:16So when you received your dialogue, were you intimidated by all the rap battles that you had to do?
04:23I was intimidated.
04:24And I was also, I was nervous.
04:26I was really nervous taking on this project.
04:29I was just coming off of a Disney Channel show.
04:30And there's that period of time after doing a kid's program where you really have to be careful about what
04:34projects you take.
04:35I was worried the subject matter is very controversial.
04:39The themes are very controversial.
04:41And I knew I risked alienating a part of my audience.
04:43But I knew that I had to take risks in order to expand as an actor.
04:47And playing it safe wasn't the best route.
04:50And it wasn't necessarily trying to be edgy or break out of some mold that I thought I was in.
04:54It was just around working with storytellers that I really trust.
04:56And working with scripts that I thought were smart and were things that I haven't seen before.
05:01Yeah.
05:02And this is happening during a really interesting cultural moment.
05:07What, you know, this movie kind of goes along with blind spotting and dear white people.
05:14What would you call this genre that we're kind of coming into?
05:17Like this idea where we're playing with the politically incorrect and, you know, what kids are facing today?
05:25Kids are facing a real eye-opening time.
05:29I think that there's so much exposure to so many cultures.
05:34And people are really, have the ability, partly because of social media, to speak up about what they believe in.
05:40And also say when they don't think things are right.
05:43This movie asks a lot of those questions.
05:45Even though it's in a way that's very in-your-face and can be aggressive at times.
05:50It's no different than, the battles are no different than two people arguing about different political beliefs on Twitter.
05:56It's the same kind of thing, except it's just dialogue in a movie.
05:59Right.
06:00And getting back to the rap battles, did you have a lot of, did you have a lot of like
06:05one-take deals or were there a lot of takes?
06:08There was a lot of takes.
06:10I mean, the movie is very cinematic and I, but I will say when we were filming though, we did
06:15it more like a play.
06:16So any of the battles you saw, we did, we did it in real time.
06:20And the final battles, there's, it goes for about 20, 25 minutes.
06:23And we actually ran a lot of those all the way through, which is very unusual for film.
06:27I remember reading the script and seeing my name, like the character name and then seeing dialogue.
06:31And I'd keep flipping the pages and seeing no action lines and no description.
06:37It was just, it was just words.
06:38And I thought, wow, this is going to be really interesting.
06:40But it really was like doing a monologue and then letting the other person do a monologue and then you
06:44do a monologue and then another monologue.
06:47It was, it was really an interesting process.
06:48It felt like doing Shakespeare.
06:51And when you were doing your rap battles, you and the other actors, you were figuring out kind of your
06:58personalities, your moves, your, like that, what, it was all about the dialogue.
07:04And then you had to figure out how you were going to present it physically.
07:07Exactly.
07:08And there was a lot of rehearsal leading up to it.
07:12We had about three months between the table read and the first day production.
07:16And I worked with battle rappers almost every single day on the raps.
07:19So by the time we actually got to set, we were so well rehearsed that we were able to just
07:22be in the moment.
07:23And Joseph was really sweet to us because he created this safe space.
07:27He's working with actors that aren't rappers and rappers that aren't actors.
07:31But he made us all feel very comfortable because he treated it like a real battle.
07:34So I wouldn't necessarily talk to the other person that I was battling before.
07:38There'd be a few hours of setting up and getting ready and I would be in my own space getting
07:42ready as if I were actually doing a real battle.
07:44And a lot of the people that were, the background in the scenes were unbelievable.
07:49And I have to do a huge shout out to them because if it wasn't for the background performers in
07:52this movie,
07:52I wouldn't be able to have delivered a good performance.
07:56They were cheering you on.
07:58They were amazing for really long days.
08:01I mean, some of those final battle sequences took almost a week to shoot.
08:05And they were there the entire time and it was their energy that really kept me going.
08:09You probably have the most, the hardest job as far as being controversial or saying controversial things.
08:16Like everybody, everybody had to say something that was offensive.
08:20But you actually, your character's thesis was on the use of the N-word in hip-hop culture.
08:26So was that uncomfortable at all?
08:30Absolutely.
08:31I mean, I think that that word is one of the most violent words in the English language.
08:39And I had never said it before this film.
08:42It was really tough.
08:44It was really tough to say those words because you don't want to put that out there.
08:49At the same time, though, I knew that there was a bigger point and message of this film that I
08:54really wanted to convey.
08:55So in order to do that, if I did have to say it, I would.
08:57But I can go on the record by saying I have never said it apart from the takes.
09:03Even in rehearsal, I wouldn't say it because it's very uncomfortable for me to say that.
09:06And since then, I will never say it unless it's for a really good project.
09:11And I think that's a testament to the script as well.
09:13And also Joseph's a storyteller because as a white actor, to say those kinds of things, it's tough.
09:20And you're risking a lot.
09:21So it's really, you have to do it with a story that you trust and with a filmmaker that you
09:26feel safe with.
09:26Okay, so as a young person, do you actually struggle with these issues?
09:31Or is this something that's kind of a, like more of a political subject matter?
09:38Or do you and your friends actually talk about these things?
09:41Like what's politically correct?
09:43You know, what people should be doing, what they shouldn't be doing?
09:47I think that's all I talk about now.
09:49So it seems like it's a moment, maybe it's because I'm young and I don't recognize other moments in history
09:55where we've had those kinds of moments of awakening.
09:58But it really feels like my eyes are opening up every day to the struggles of other people in America
10:05and around the world.
10:06And just trying to find a way that we can respect and talk to each other in a way that
10:09actually is with love and not with hate.
10:12And there's so many things that I grew up with when I was younger that I thought were appropriate that
10:17I now realize were quite insensitive.
10:20And I'm so grateful for this time because I think it's a time that we really can discuss it.
10:24And hopefully the next generation, they'll have never experienced any of that.
10:28They won't have a childhood of seeing things on TV that weren't necessarily politically correct.
10:32But hopefully they'll be in a world where everyone's respected equally.
10:35Nice.
10:37And yes, if you watch this movie, eventually you will be offended.
10:40Is there a character that you identify in particular in this movie?
10:44Because you have a lot of different, interesting kind of stereotypes of different types of people.
10:52Right.
10:52Yeah, I mean, the character goes to Berkeley.
10:54And he's around a very privileged group of friends.
10:57And they have their own judgments on the battle rap world.
11:00But at the same time, they aren't necessarily authentically participating and understanding that.
11:05So by placing judgment on it, they actually are being quite insensitive because they're not authentically participating.
11:11And understanding that there are some rules that don't apply in that world.
11:16But other rules that do that don't necessarily apply in the world of Berkeley.
11:21So those lines are very interesting.
11:23And I feel like that I've seen conversations with my friends go like that.
11:27Where they're trying to be overly politically correct and not realizing they're actually being a little bit insensitive.
11:32Right.
11:33So I think it's a time that's, it's a really good time to just approach every conversation with an open
11:38heart and open eyes.
11:39And be as careful as possible.
11:42But also ask questions.
11:43If you're not sure of something, I think it's important to find out.
11:46And at the end of the day, the most important thing is your actions, not your words.
11:51Yeah, exactly.
11:52Exactly.
11:54So I have a couple of questions for you.
11:56What was the first job that made you think, I've made it?
12:00I can tell you the first job.
12:01I was an extra in Air Bud 3 when I was seven.
12:05And I watched on that set and I was like, I think I got this.
12:09I think I'm a movie star now.
12:11And then since then, I increasingly think I haven't made it.
12:17I think it's because I keep working on projects with filmmakers that I look up to and actors that I
12:21look up to that I feel like I'm never going to make it.
12:25I'm just hoping that I just continue to work with people that inspire me and that help me grow as
12:29an artist.
12:30And I hope I never grow to the point of making it.
12:32I hope I'm continuing to learn every year.
12:34Well, I can tell you I've talked to actors who are in their 70s who said, I've never had that
12:38feeling.
12:39So I think the bar just moves forward as you get older.
12:42And I hope it does.
12:42I hope it gets to continue to be challenged and never feel complacent.
12:47Best day on the set of Bodied?
12:49The best day, every day was amazing.
12:51It really was.
12:52Every day, it was like my artistic soul was so fulfilled.
12:57The final battle that people will see in this movie was a really special moment because the scenes were so
13:02long.
13:02Everyone had to stay in character.
13:04You wouldn't be able to do those scenes unless you were approaching it in a method way.
13:08And the battlers were as well.
13:09And it was an amazing time because we were working with real battle rappers and in scenes with them.
13:13And we were learning more about how to perform a battle rap in the battle rap culture.
13:19And they were learning more about acting.
13:20And what we realized is that we're very similar.
13:22We have the exact same job.
13:24We're storytellers.
13:25We're just telling a story.
13:26Even if they're telling it in a different way than we are, they're telling stories.
13:31That's what rap has always been about.
13:32That's what hip-hop has always been about.
13:33That's where hip-hop comes from is through storytelling.
13:36And in battle raps, they're telling their own story and their own perspectives.
13:39Or they're trying to tell someone else's story to get at them.
13:42And that's what we're doing as artists as well.
13:44So those days where we had these massive battles with all these battle rappers together were so special.
13:49Because I just have so much tremendous respect for that community and for all the battlers that I worked with.
13:55And the battles I didn't get a chance to work with too.
13:56I've seen hundreds of battles online.
14:00I've become obsessed with this culture.
14:01And they really are the modern-day poets.
14:06Do you have any desire to throw your hat into the ring?
14:09I would love to.
14:10I really would.
14:11I don't have the skills.
14:13I realize that people might watch this and think, oh, but you could rap in that.
14:18But that took a lot of work.
14:19These guys are just so talented.
14:22I mean, not only are they able to battle in real time, they don't get a take-two.
14:29These battles, they're live.
14:31It's like a boxing match with words.
14:33And if you slip up, you lose.
14:34So they're professional actors who perform monologues for a living.
14:40Yeah.
14:42The last movie that made you cry?
14:44I saw Stars Born last night.
14:46And I'm still tearing up about it.
14:49It was one of those movies where you watch it and think, maybe I should quit.
14:52Like, it's so good.
14:54It's so well done.
14:55And the performances were so amazing.
14:56I thought, I'm in awe.
14:58Worst piece of career advice you've gotten?
15:00Worst piece?
15:01Yeah.
15:02The worst piece of career advice, probably be careful what you work on.
15:09A lot of people in this industry encourage actors to be extremely picky, which I think is a valuable thing.
15:15You want to be consistent as much as you can in terms of telling stories that mean something and projects
15:21that are at a certain bar.
15:22But at the same time, your job is to act.
15:25And you want to have as many experiences as possible.
15:27And I worry that some young actors approach picking projects too carefully too soon, and they don't get the exposure
15:36to other projects.
15:37Like, I think it's really important to do a wide array of styles and genres so you can really hone
15:43your skill set.
15:44Test the waters.
15:46Yeah.
15:46I mean, honestly, I wouldn't have been able to do bodied had I not done a Disney Channel show.
15:52So I wanted to talk to you about a couple of other projects that you have.
15:55One is some charity work that you do with the One Campaign.
15:59Yeah.
16:00What's the One Campaign?
16:01The One Campaign, it's Mono's organization.
16:03And I'm working with them in terms of helping to get girls educated in developing countries.
16:10It's an incredible organization.
16:11I encourage everyone to check it out.
16:13There's a lot that people need to realize in terms of girls being educated in developing countries.
16:17And it really, by supporting girls in East Africa and around the world, you're supporting your own country as well.
16:24And the more that we can encourage our politicians to put money towards girls' education, the better our world will
16:30be all around.
16:31Yeah, absolutely.
16:32I mean, there's 130 million girls that weren't able to go to school today.
16:36Yeah.
16:36And I hope that the next generation and my kids eventually, my future kids, won't have that as a reality.
16:46And I want every girl to be educated and be able to go to school.
16:48Yeah.
16:48Education is the key to getting people out of poverty.
16:52It's the key to getting people out of poverty.
16:53It's one of the keys to a lot of the world's biggest problems.
16:57Yeah, yeah.
16:57And more, we need more women as leaders in politics, in finance.
17:05We need it in all aspects.
17:06We need more women to be in charge.
17:08Absolutely.
17:10And you're also working on a project with Hulu right now.
17:13I am.
17:13You're filming?
17:14Yeah.
17:14Yes.
17:14It's called The Act.
17:16I haven't started yet.
17:17I started in three weeks.
17:18They started production in Georgia about a month ago.
17:20And it's a really special project.
17:23These storytellers that I'm working with are amazing.
17:28It's a true crime show.
17:29And I feel like we've seen a lot of that.
17:31But you've never seen anything like this.
17:33This is told in a completely different way.
17:34A woman named Dee Dee and her daughter Gypsy.
17:37And their relationship is something that you've never seen on TV before.
17:41Interesting.
17:42And it's Patricia Arquette.
17:43Patricia Arquette and Joey King.
17:45Excellent.
17:45Excellent.
17:46We'll be looking out for that.
17:47Caleb, thank you so much for dropping by.
17:49Oh, thank you so much.
17:50And the movie's Bodied.
17:52Go check it out.
17:53Appreciate it.
17:54Bye.
17:57Bye.
17:58Bye.
17:59Bye.
17:59You
Comments