Read our exclusive interview with actor and screenwriter Jameel Saleem, who plays James in the upcoming film ‘Exit Strategy.’ The self-described “un-romantic” comedy, which is set to hit select theaters in the Philadelphia area on February 10, 2012, follows Saleem’s character, James, as he’s evicted from his apartment. He moves in with his new girlfriend of three months, Kim, played by Kimelia Weathers, and discovers she’s not what he wants in a relationship. He enlists the help of his best friends, Carville, portrayed by Quincy “Qdeezy” Harris, and Leona, played by Noelle Balfour, as well as Kevin Hart and L.A. Power 106 radio host Big Boy, to find a relationship exit strategy. But Kim feels breaking up isn’t an option.
Saleem discusses with us, among other things, how he came up with the idea for ‘Exit Strategy,’ which fans can currently buy tickets for on Fandango, and demand to bring to their area on Eventful. The screenwriter-actor also spoke about his working relationships with Weathers and director Michael Whitton.
ShockYa (SY): Besides appearing in ‘Exit Strategy,’ you also wrote the script and co-created the characters the story is based on. Where did you come up with the idea for the story, and have you had similar experiences in your own life that James went through with Kim?
Jameel Saleem (JS): Well, the idea came from a web series that we started in 2007. Kimelia Weathers, my co-star, actually came up with the premise with some other friends. We shot our first web series, and put it online. It got a lot of attention from friends, and it started to get passed around and blew up. We did like seven episodes over a three-year period. In 2010, I decided to turn it into a feature film.
I’ve definitely had some horror stories, as far as relationships go. (laughs) I think we’ve all had something to that effect. Maybe not to that extreme, but we’ve all been through situations that are similar to that.
SY: How did you prepare to play James, and did writing the screenplay help you get into his mindset?
JS: Yeah. I’ve been playing James for years, throughout the seven episodes that we shot. So I’ve been living with this character for awhile. Not to mention, James is pretty much me. (laughs) I’m really playing myself in an extreme situation. Honestly, that’s me on the screen. (laughs)
SY: ‘Exit Strategy’ marks your first major leading feature film role. Did you feel any pressure while filming to portray the character any particular way?
JS: I did feel pressure. Being the lead of a film wasn’t something that I had done, except for little short films. Once I passed the script to the director, I kind of took the writer’s hat off, and went into full actor mode. We only had 14 days to shoot the film. So I wanted to be prepared and know my lines, and go in there and give good performances, improvise and have a good time.
I guess after the first day, the pressure kind of went away, because the crew and the director and Kimelia were great. It really was a fun time. After the first couple scenes, there really was no pressure. It was pretty much just having fun.
SY: Like you said, you had a 14-day shoot, and ‘Exit Strategy’ is an independent film. Did that pose any difficulties while shooting?
JS: We had the usual difficulties that you have while shooting any film, even a major one. We were shooting in an apartment that was next to a high school. During the afternoon, the marching band would practice. We’re inside an apartment, but we can still hear the drums and the trumpets. We kind of had to work our shooting schedule around that. Just little things like that that we were able to work around, and it worked out.
SY: What was your working relationship with Kimelia like?
JS: Kimelia and I moved to California together in 2007. We met on an independent film in Maryland. She told me she was moving to L.A., and I asked her if I could go with her. In 2007, in January, we moved out there, and lived together for about two years.
We’ve been friends for awhile, she’s like a sister to me. We’re always together, even when we’re not working. We’re hanging out, we have a lot of mutual friends. It was like working with one of my best friends, it was great.
Same with Qdeezy, he’s one of my homeboys. It was really like a family affair. I even knew Michael, the director, before this film. We worked together on a previous project, so we were friends as well.
SY: Speaking of Michael, what was it like working with him, as he was making his feature film directorial debut with ‘Exit Strategy?’
JS: I was amazed by Michael and his passion for directing. I’ve dabbled in directing, but working with Michael made me realize that’s exactly what I’m doing, dabbling. Directing is life for Michael, and he’s brilliant at it. Even during pre-production, when we were doing the location scouts, he designed a three-dimensional model of the apartment where we were shooting some of the scenes. He drew it on his computer, and I’ve never seen a director do anything like that.
I’ve seen directors draw it out on storyboards, but Michael actually designed a three-dimensional model on his computer. That kind of thoroughness, he brought that throughout the whole process. He’s so good at what he does, and he’s doing it to his best ability.
SY: Speaking of your own directing, does that experience influence your acting?
JS: Definitely. I know how to make the director’s job easier. I try to do the best that I can do to give him what he needs. As far as continuity and things like that, I’m really aware of not just being in the character. I also know there are other things I have to be aware of during the scene, to make his life easier, especially in the editing process.
SY: After James discovers Kim is everything he’s never wanted in a woman, he enlists his best friends for help breaking up with her. Why do you think people often seek help in ending relationships they no longer want to be in?
JS: I think people are actually afraid to speak to the person that they should be speaking to, which is their partner. They don’t want to tell the truth. They’re fine with telling the truth to their friends, and trying to figure out how to get around the situation.
Everybody’s been guilty of that. You go to your best friend, and tell them all these problems you have with your relationship, when you should be telling the person you’re in a relationship with. Communication is very important in a successful relationship, and a lot of people are scared of that kind of communication. They have to be honest and truthful.
SY: Power 106 radio host Big Boy, who appears in ‘Exit Strategy’ to offer James advice on how to break up with Kim, has released a video on YouTube with his exit strategy advice. Do you have any of your own advice for people looking to break-up with their girlfriends or boyfriends?
JS: Well, I’ve done things in the past, and I’m older now. Right now, I think honesty is the best exit strategy. At the first sign of a problem, I think it should be addressed immediately. If you don’t, and let it linger, it will get worse. If a relationship isn’t meant to be, why be in it for two years and then break up? Why not just break it off in the beginning? Give yourself and your partner the opportunity to find other options.
But I’ve definitely done some things to girls. I broke up with a girl by taking small things and making them deal breakers. The smallest little issue, I’d create a problem around it, and made that issue the focus until it broke up the relationship.
SY: ‘Exit Strategy’ is being marketed as the un-romantic comedy for Valentine’s Day. Why do you think that people should see the film, whether or not they’re in a relationship? Are there elements in the movie that everyone can relate to?
JS: Yes, absolutely. It’s the kind of romantic comedy that a lot of guys will like. It’s not just one for the girls, because it was written from a male prospective. There’s something in there for the couple, maybe there’s some insight in there that will help them with their relationship. For the single person, it may be a reflection or a warning for a future relationship.
It’s super funny. You’re looking at these situations that we’re all going through, in a funny, quirky kind of way that I don’t think has been shown much. I think it will be really fun and enjoyable, and a funny, hilarious experience.
Watch the official trailer for ‘Exit Strategy’ below:
