YouTube Actress Gets International Break in Film

The morning is now here for Actress and YouTuber, Shaquana Wilson, who landed a lead role in the international film, When the Morning Comes. The Canadian-Jamaican film was premiered by the GATFFEST (Greater August Town Film Festival) team at Palace Cineplex at the Sovereign Centre in St. Andrew, last week Wednesday.

Young Shaquana made her first leap into the ‘acting world’ at the age of 17-years but little did she knew that shortly after, her career would blossomed so quickly into making her first international debut.

“It was my first role in an international feature film, but I am always doing movies for Richard Brown films on YouTube. I am a YouTuber also and do plays as well. My first play was called Money Moves with Bad Boy Trevor. I was introduced to the acting world at age 17,” Wilson expressed to one reporter.

Wilson is also known for her roles in several other short films and music videos, under the management of the production company, Good Vybz Entertainment, managed by Actor and Director, Cornelius Grant. Grant also expressed that an upcoming project called Yard Vibes, featuring Wilson, is slated to be released soon.

The storyline of When the Morning Comes, conveys a young boy’s struggles with his widowed mother’s decision to relocate the family from Jamaica to Canada. His unwillingness to go, made it even harder for his mother, (Shaquana Wilson), as she had to explain to him why it’s the best decision for his future, as much as her decision is tearing her heart to pieces.

Director, Kelly-Fyffe Marshall said her aim was to capture a real-life story about the sacrifices mothers make and the story of immigrants; as this plot also reflects on her personal story, as she migrated from Jamaica in 2001 at the tender age of 10.

“As an artist, you are always trying to get out a story … and this is a story about a mother’s sacrifice; and I wanted to tell that story about immigration. Canada is 25 per cent immigrants. My cast from Toronto is all Canadian-Jamaicans, so it was about coming back to make our parents proud, make our grandparents proud,” said Fyffe-Marshall.

Wilson, as casted as the Jamaican mother playing the main role had to dig deep in finding the perfect character to suit what her directors were searching for. Despite her natural talent in bringing any character to life, Wilson said this was a struggle for her but thanked her ‘acting coach,’ Donisha Prendergast, for motivating her all throughout the filming process.

“It was the first time I was working with an acting coach and without Donisha [Prendergast] I was lost. I knew that I had the emotions within me. I knew that I had this character within me … or I could build this character… but I just didn’t know where to find her. And with Donisha’s direction, I felt so empowered. I felt like I knew exactly where I was going with everything. She laid out everything for me. I am so grateful to her,” the excited Wilson expressed.

A contributing factor to this sudden nerve wrecking fever, the actress expressed, may have also been as a result of the sudden ‘forgotten call’ Wilson received about being selected as a part of the cast, after auditioning over a year ago for this role.

The film gained the unwavering support of the Canadian High Commission, which was led by High Commissioner Emina Tudakovic, who said she was impressed with the overall production of the film and expressed how beneficial this can be to both the filmmakers and the nations, Canada and Jamaica.

“We are thrilled to present the international premiere of When Morning Comes at the GATFFEST. This film beautifully captures the complexities of familial relationships and showcases the rich talent of Canadian and Jamaican film-makers, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening the bond between our nations,” Tudakovic highlighted.

While seated among these dignitaries, critics, supporters and members of the GATFFEST team, young Shaquana said she was melting in a feeling of great pride as she ‘watched herself on the big screen,’ despite how nervous she felt days leading up to the premiere, as she reminisced on her lack of confidence during the shooting phase of the film.

“In all things, I am giving God thanks. The premiere was everything I thought it would be. The excitement … the rush. I was trembling. When I was actually filming it, I didn’t feel as confident … but, watching myself on the screen, the emotions that I brought forth … it felt so real, it felt like this was my life,” the proud actress explained.

The film, When Morning Comes, was shot in Portland and Trelawny, Jamaica, over a 22 days period and features other star actors such as Paul Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Jarden Crooks, Djamari Roberts and theatre giant, Oliver Samuels. When Morning Comes was also shortlisted for the Directors Guild of Canada’s 2022 Jean-Marc Vallee DGC Discovery Award, in Toronto, last September.

According to Film Freeway sources, GATFFEST (Greater August Town Film Festival), now rebranded, The UWI Community Film Project, hosted its inaugural film festival in June 2013. Since then, the festival has grown significantly, receiving numerous international and local submissions every year.

Credit: The Jamaica Gleaner and The Jamaica Star for interviewees’ quotes.

Mckoy’s News Staff Writer | Natasha Williams.