Watch
“Learning Uncle Vernon”
- The Short Film That
Common’s “L.U.V.” Drama
Feature Is Based On
I just happened across this short film by director Sheldon Candis - a name we’ve mentioned at least twice on this site in the last 2 weeks, thanks to the fact that he’s currently in production on his feature film debut titled L.U.V. (an acronym that stands for Learning Uncle Vincent), which centers on a day in the life of William “Woody” Watson (played by newcomer Michael Rainey Jr), a shy and timid 13-year old in search of a family and a better life, who looks to his Uncle Vincent, an ex-con, played by Common, hoping to find the father figure he’s never had, and has always wanted.
The film takes place over the course of 1 single day.
Joining Common (who is also acting as one of the producers on the project) is an all-star cast of mostly seasoned actors in Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover , Charles S. Dutton, Lonette McKee, Megan Good, Michael K. Williams, Russell Hornsby, and Tracey Heggins.
The below short film, which Sheldon Candis, a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, made for the Film Independent’s Director’s Lab in 2009, is essentially a short-form version of the feature that’s currently in production in Baltimore, MD. In it, you’ll get an idea of what the feature might look, sound and feel like, as well as the dramatic starring role Common will play as Uncle Vincent, and maybe be able to visualize the rapper-turned-actor in the part… or not.
So, watch the short 8-minute film, which was then called Learning Uncle Vernon, below: