If all goes well it won't be long before you'll see Ben Smith's name on a movie marquee. The fitness trainer and youth worker is turning his focus these days to his aspiring film and acting career.
Smith has been acting since he was in high school. He's done a few minor movie rolls and a couple of commercials. He's also a passionate writer and is hoping to pitch one of his screenplays at the upcoming New York Film Festival.
An independent film called The Gutter Diaries, in which Smith co-stars, has been selected to show at the film festival Nov. 10 to 17. Smith plans to be in New York to celebrate the success of the film with Nanaimo director and producer John Whittal.
The film has been a year-long process. Smith auditioned for Whittal and the two had an instant rapport.
"The story is basically four stories woven together," said Smith. "One of the stories is about an undercover narcotics officer who gets hooked on drugs and how it impacts his investigation and his life. I play one of his partners in crime. It's certainly not a happy story. We're not good guys. It was a great experience to be a part of."
While in New York, Smith hopes to pitch his own screenplay, which he's developed with writing friend, Coaster Michael Lamy.
Muenda is the story of a young white man who gave up a football scholarship at Berkeley to become a teacher and a civil rights worker at the beginning of the 60s. From his involvement with black youth and migrant workers in the Del Paso Heights community of Sacramento to helping organize the busing of white students in Seattle to working for VISTA in Chicago on the Blackstone Nation turf during the Democratic National Convention in 1968, Fred Willis' commitment to social justice never wavered. Even after suffering discrimination and after losing his wife to alcoholism, he continued to care for their two adopted black children and the community.
"It's a powerful story and one that I'm very proud of," Smith said. "I wrote the story and Michael helped adapt it into a screenplay. I'm hoping the trip to New York will pay off and I'll be able to pitch it to some producers. It's a story that has to be told and needs to be experienced by the public."
The writing pair recently sent a copy to Oprah in hopes of tweaking her interest to produce the film. So far, she has not gotten back to Smith.
"It's okay. I'm in no rush. I know there is a process and I'm willing to be patient for the right situation to come along," Smith said. "I'm passionate about this and I want to make sure that it's a deal that works for everyone."
Smith has another screenplay that he and Lamy have collaborated on called Measure of a Man.
Smith is extra sensitive of that screenplay as it's based on his life.
"It's more personal and I want to have a hand in that story. Anytime you write something from personal experience you're a bit selfish. You have a vision and you want to be a part of that vision," Smith said.
