Laquan Copeland
We are thrilled to feature the dynamic **Laquan Copeland** on the cover of our GMARO Magazine August 2024 Issue #14! Laquan’s journey from Columbus, Georgia to the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspiring.
In our exclusive interview, Laquan shares his path to acting, which began with a transformative theater experience in high school. His southern roots and life in NYC have profoundly shaped his artistic vision, blending unique cultural influences into his work.
Balancing roles as a writer, producer, director, and actor, Laquan finds harmony by following his creative passion. He speaks fondly of his experience on "MIDAS," highlighting the supportive environment created by director TJ Noel-Sullivan and the vibrant culture of Hartford, Connecticut.
Laquan's fashion icons include Odell Beckham Jr., Pharrell Williams, and Michael Jackson, and he uses fashion to express his individuality and make bold statements.
Laquan's advice to aspiring actors and filmmakers is to move with intention, be genuine, and stay driven. His belief in the power of creating and producing one's own content shines through in his career.
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Actor - Laquan Copeland @laquancopeland
https://www.laquancopeland.com
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting and entertainment?
A plethora of events inspired my passion in being an entertainer, but the key moment for me was when I was casted in my first theater show while in my Freshman year of highschool. The play was called, “The Yellow Boat'' and I remember walking on the stage in front of an audience and thinking to myself, “I love this feeling.” and that’s when the curiosity of pursuing entertainment as a career really began for me.
How did growing up in Columbus, Georgia influence your artistic journey?
Columbus, Georgia is the south! The south for me is everything and I feel like we southerners are what influence the culture and push the needle forward with our creativity, our uniqueness and it is those elements that are innately in me and influence everything that I do.
How do you balance writing, producing, directing, and acting in your projects?
It can be monotonous at times, but I love what I do. At the center of each of them is my passion for creating. I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older to allow my passion to push me in the direction I want to go. There are months that I want to act more, there are also months where I want to write and direct more, but at the core of all of it is, “What do I feel like doing or saying in this moment?” and that provides balance for me in juggling these aspects of my career.
Can you tell us about your experience starring in "MIDAS"?
MIDAS is one of those on-set experiences that was blissful throughout the entire duration of production. Our incredible director, TJ Noel -Sullivan, created a space where me and my co-leads felt welcomed and free to create. Being in Hartford,Connecticut and being engulfed by the richness of the culture and community set the foundation, but it was our amazing crew, cast, producers and love of the people surrounding us that made filming MIDAS one of those lifetime experiences that you will never forget.
Who are some of your fashion inspirations?
Right now, Odell Beckham Jr is at the top of my list. Other inspirations include Pharell Williams, Big Sean and some elites like Michael Jackson, Dieon Sanders and Coleman Domingo.
What drew you to directing the LeBron James All-Time Leading Scorer animation film for Warner Brothers?
I have to thank Martell Pegues and Keith Trawick Jr over at Bleacher Report for this one. Martell came across my digital series, “allblackanime” and trusted me in executing his vision for creating the LeBron James All-Time Leading Scorer animation in connection with Warner Bros.. They paid it forward for someone like me and I feel that Martell, Keith and myself were able to collaborate and really create culture shifting work with the project reaching 10 Million viewers on Instagram alone. It’s a project that people still recall to me till this day.
How do you approach directing animation compared to live-action?
It’s interesting, in animation, you build storyboards, animatics, character designs and so much more. It really involves a level of ornamentation that consequently has only helped my directing in live-action. When I first began writing and directing short films, I would go at it naively at times, but what directing in animation has taught me is proper preparation. Creating storyboards even for live-action and utilizing the tools and skills I learned in directing my animated projects has taught me how to cross-pollinate that skill set in directing my live-action projects.
Can you tell us more about your digital series "SOTURI"?
Soturi is an digital animated series I developed during the pandemic that focuses on highlighting black anime and animated characters and the marginalized stories that usually aren’t highlighted within animation. I developed this concept to showcase the lack of black anime characters in animation specifically, while also showing the want for more shows and films like this concept. My hope is that I am able to create masterful storytelling with black animated characters and characters of color at the forefront and create opportunities for more shows like this one.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors and filmmakers?
Move with intention, your network is your net worth. Be genuine, be driven and be disciplined. Most importantly, know that it is a higher power that instilled those dreams, aspirations and gave you those goals and visions for a reason, follow suit and do it because this is what you love to do.
How was it working alongside co-stars Preet Kaur and Federico Parra in "MIDAS"?
The best! Literally two of the dopest people on this planet who just so happen to be some of the most amazing friends I could’ve ever asked for. Everytime we’re all in one room, I feel this emergence of synergy surrounding us. What I love most about Fede and Preet is their passion for the work, willingness to be great and their perspectives on life itself.
Each of us are so uniquely different, but yet compliment each other in every way on and off set. Working with them is like when a waiter brings out a free dessert at the end of your meal and it just so happens to be a Salted Caramel Baked Alaska, shoutout to Max Downtown in Hartford, CT.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in such a competitive industry?
I truly believe it’s my own understanding within, that what’s for you won't miss you. I think in such a competitive industry, I’ve always only competed with myself. Questions I ask myself are always, “What worked?”, “ How can I be better?”, “ What am I wanting to say?”. I alluded to it earlier when speaking on my co-stars. We all share this willingness to be great and I think that, intertwined with my passion for artistry and storytelling has continued to motivate myself despite the odds stacked against me.
What impact do you hope to have on the entertainment industry?
My hope is that I inspire generations of people to pursue and do what they love, that my legacy and career is a reminder that you can achieve anything you want to in this lifetime. I hope that one day, I leave behind a portfolio of work that inspires, invokes thought, is researched, studied and stands the test of time.
What role does fashion play in your personal and professional life?
Fashion plays a huge part in every aspect of my life and is instrumental in my work. It’s an art in itself and I love to use it to express how I am feeling, to make statements and create moments with different looks, styles and fits that best make up me.
What are some key lessons you've learned from producing your own content?
There is power in creating your table. There is power in creating and producing your own content. The lessons I’ve learned throughout this are leadership, tenacity, and perseverance to see it through. Those 3 elements will take you far in your creative pursuits.
What has been the most surprising part of your career journey so far?
It’s crazy because I can’t say that I am shocked more than I am happy everything is finally coming to pass. Everything I am doing now, a younger Laquan envisioned it long ago. I think for me, I am excited to see what the next chapter of my career looks like 5 years down the line. I hope to direct more, create and produce more and be a force that shakes up the entertainment industry in the best way possible.
