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"Lovely and Amazing
With Raven Goodwin
Actor
Rescheduled: Wednesday, July 24, 3:15 p.m. EDT
Ten-year-old Raven Goodwin shares the screen with acting veterans Brenda Blethyn and Catherine Keener in the new film, "Lovely and Amazing." The movie paints an intimate family portrait of four hapless but resilient women and the bittersweet lessons they learn in keeping up with the hectic demands of their individual neuroses. Goodwin's character, Annie, an adopted African American
eight-year old, seems to be the only family member to stand a chance at rising above the family's legacy. A Washington, D.C. local, Goodwin was recently profiled in the Style section: Talented, Too, (Post, July 15)
Goodwin was online Wednesday, July 24, 2 p.m. EDT, to talk about the film and her approach to acting.
Goodwin is a fourth grade student at Lyndon Hill Elementary School in Prince Georges County, Md. She loves school and because of her outstanding reading level, was invited to be a member of the school's morning news team. Goodwin was blessed with a love for performing and started her career at the age of four.
A transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
washingtonpost.com:
Raven, thanks so much for joining us today. Tell us about "Lovely and Amazing."
Raven Goodwin: The movie is basically about me, my two sisters and my mom. We're having family problems. My sister wants to be an actress; my mom is looking for a boyfriend and she got lipsuction on her stomach because she wanted the doctor to like her; and my other sister wants to be an artist and her husband wants her to get a job job and then she gets a job at a one-hour photo and her husband is still not happy.
I am just trying to work my way through the family. One of my sisters doesn't like me because I'm black (artist) and other sister really adores me and so does my mom. And I don't really have a father figure in my life.
Arlington, Va.:
Do you know if you want to be an actress when you grow up? Or, are you interested in another career? Who are your role models?
Raven Goodwin: Recently, it's like both -- I want to be an actress and I want to do something else. I'm into doing hair, but most likely I want to be an actress. Basically my dream is to be an actress.
My mom, my sister, basically my family I look up to.
Greenbelt, Md.:
When and how did you get started in acting, and I believe in the article it said you were modeling as well, locally?
Raven Goodwin: When I was three, everyday I used to go through the house singing and dancing and acting and everybody was tellling my mom that she should get me into acting and they said that my face is the star look. So my mom heard about this organization called Linda Townsend and she took me, my sister and I to the audition. My sister sang and I sang and Linda Townsend said we were the right people for the business. Then I went for my first audition and I got my first booking for Potomac Mills photo gallery.
Then I did a children's book and I'm on the cover. Then I got the part on "The Corner." Then I got Lovely and Amazing. As soon as I got home from Lovely and Amazing I got a booking for the Baltimore Aquarium seahorse commercial.
Pennsylvania:
What was it like acting in "The Corner"? Did you learn any helpful advice from the other actors of that series?
Raven Goodwin: I was just an extra in The Corner and I was in a scene playing basketball with a couple of friends and getting my hair done.
New York:
Is "Lovely and Amazing" a happy movie?
Raven Goodwin: Is is in the middle ... happy and a little bit of sadness.
Kensington, Md.:
Did you have a special teacher in your life who inspired you and encouraged you (I ask because I am a teacher, in fact I once taught near your school in Prince Georges County!) Also, what advice would you give students in how to reach their goals? Congratulations, you are truly special!
Raven Goodwin: It was my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Collins who really adored me. And my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Warr.
I would say never give up and to have a lot of pride in yourself.
Raven Goodwin: My mom always said, "Raven, believe in yourself."
Alexandria, Va.:
Raven, you were fabulous in the film. Did the producers allow you to take anything from the set home with you to remember the experience?
Raven Goodwin: Yes, they did. They gave me jewelry, a bathing suit and an outfit from Old Navy.
Vienna, Va.:
Was it hard to juggle school and filming? How did your friends in Maryland react to your acting career? Is it hard?
Raven Goodwin: No, I had a tutor on the set and I was in California and my school is here in Prince George's County.
My friends were really proud of me. They brought me cards and presents.
Acting is not hard for me at all.
Harrisburg, Pa.:
What do your parents think of your acting career? How did you get involved in acting at such an early age?
Raven Goodwin: They don't really think anything about it, they're just proud of me.
Washington, D.C.:
Any actors you'd just love to work with?
Raven Goodwin: Yes. Lil Bow Wow and Jada Pinkett and Martin Lawrence and Tae Diggs and Nia Long, Chris Tucker, Ice Cube and the Wayan Brothers. Denzel Washington, Brandy, Monica.
Raven Goodwin: One more ... Lil Romeo.
Washington, D.C.:
Do you have any upcoming projects we should know about? I'd definitely like to see more of you on screen!
Raven Goodwin: I'm supposed to be going on the Jay Leno Show if I get a callback. I just interviewed for that show over the phone.
Falls Church, Va.:
Did you make any favorite new friends on the set of "Lovely and Amazing?" How were Katherine Keener, Brenda Blethlyn and Jake G. to work with?
Raven Goodwin: Ashlynn Rose, she played the meanest sister's daughter. They were very fun to work with. They weren't just working with me on the set, they became my friends. We had nice long conversations when we took breaks on the set. We played tag.
Arlington, Va.:
The subject matter of "Lovely and Amazing" is really interesting. As are the characters. Did you read the script before agreeing to be in the movie and, if so, what did you think of the story?
Raven Goodwin: I just auditioned for the part because they told me this was going to be a very good project. (I first read the script when I was on my way to New York for the audition.)
I thought that the story was a very interesting story because I can see what the characters and action would really be. The story was also a true story. They reversed the story because the first one was about a little boy who was adopted by a white middle aged woman.
Arlington, Va.:
How are other kids at school reacting to your new-found stardom?
Raven Goodwin: Sometimes they ask me if they can hold my library book but other times they act normal.
Raven Goodwin: But I haven't been back to school since doing the movie.
D.C.:
What's your favorite thing to do/see in the D.C. area?
Raven Goodwin: I like to swim.
Raven Goodwin: I also like to go amusements parks like Kings Dominion and Six Flags.
Washington, D.C.:
What was it like working with veteran actresses like Brenda Blethyn and Catherine Keener in LOVELY & AMAZING?
Raven Goodwin: It was very fun. We talked and kidded and played around.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Raven,
I read the article about you and your family, and you seem to be a beautiful, well-adjusted, talented young lady! What are your hopes for the future, what do you hope to do/be say 10 years from now? Congratulations to you and your family for being a seemingly modest, lovely young lady! washingtonpost.com:
Talented, Too, (Post, July 15)
Raven Goodwin: Ten years from now I hope to be in college. I want to act in college too.
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