This post contains details from Tuesdays episode ofFoundonNBC.
In any given year, more than half of those who are reported missing are people of color.
To me, that felt like, Oh, look at what you did.
FoundNBC
She speaks about the experience in theinterviewbelow.
DAVIS:It was wonderful, because I really wanted this to be authentic.
I wanted it to inform and to frighten but also empower people.
And I feel like thats exactly who Gabi is and what she does.
Weve gotten into the situation on set where were finishing up each others thoughts, which is very rare.
I live alone, so I get kind of scared.
Sometimes Ill leave the lights on in the room.
We just clicked immediately.
DAVIS:Yeah, man, thats the goods.
Its really great, because its getting to come in with all of the ideas.
Theres no time to waste.
I wanted it to be handheld and have this fluidity.
So that becomes uncomfortable for them.
But a pilot, youre there from day one, and I like being there from day one.
I like to see how things grow and evolve and to throw in ideas and stuff.
Its just that establishing that is a lot of fun.
I was particularly blown away by the young actor who played Deron, Trayce Malachi.
How do you handle working with these young actors, especially when the subject matter can be traumatic?
DAVIS:He was one of those young actors who would shrug a lot.
I would go, So youre supposed to cry.
How do you feel about that?
And hed go, I dont know.
I was looking at that earlier….I cant do that.
And I went, Okay.
Well, lets see how you feel.
Just make a run at open yourself to the to the idea of it.
I think language is really important.
Man, that kid was rocking tears like Denzel Washington.
He was really wonderful and totally game.
They were just wonderful.
DEADLINE: Broadcast television is full of procedurals.
Of course, theres a reason they work.
DAVIS:For me, its about the actors.
Its about their faces.
Its about pushing in and seeing what their eyes are doing and giving them that moment.
I have watchedLaw & Ordersince I was a child.
Im very partial toOrganized Crime, because I love the way its shot.
I love the framing and the moving of the camera.
But if you look at the originalLaw & Order, everything is moving so fast.
Its a lot of medium shots, and youre kind of far away.
I think as the show went on, you got a little bit closer.
So thats what I tried to do.
DEADLINE: There is definitely a psychology to that.
DAVIS:Because otherwise, youre not in it.
Jonathan Demme did this really super, super close up of one of the cops faces.
And my friend and I were in the balcony of the theater and we both went, Andre?!
because we went to school with Andre…it kicks you out.
Thats sort of the reverse.
Look how scared he is.
So thats [the goal].
I just think, you have these incredible faces.
I mean, you have Gabrielle Washs face.
How are you not looking at that face?
You gotta get in there and look at her eyes.
You know what I mean?
Youve got to see how all of these things are affecting her.
DAVIS:To me, that felt like, Oh, look at what you did.
I wanted to do behind the steps, but now we definitely need that.
DEADLINE: Shanola and Mark-Paul have such a great chemistry.
What was it like to see them in those initial scenes together?
DAVIS:Its really electric.
Nkechi did the casting of Mark-Paul before I was involved, and Shanola was always going to be Gabi.
He watched so many awful true crime docs [to research] the psychology behind it.
Theres little things that she does because of him.
Is she into him?
And its like, no, thats what hes taught her.
Thats part of the presentation of building this perfect world for himself whenever he would visit.
When shes delivering meals, Im like, You never take your eyes off him.
You never turn your back, just in case.
DAVIS:I think its really evident that early on that somethings quite wrong with him.
I love the way that he played our first real introduction when he said, Whos ready to eat?
This is just the beginning.
Beyonce would never blow out her vocal cords on a second song.
It will be a slow burn here.
DEADLINE: You mentioned reading what viewers are saying on social media.
Do you enjoy engaging with audiences online?
Its why I love movies and being in the movie theater and hearing everyone gasp.
Thats what live tweeting is.
Its like youre watching with hundreds or thousands of people.
I started doing it when I worked onQueen Sugar.
If I could watch an episode live during the week, Id tweet along with people and laugh.
Man, these people are fast with these gifs.
Its hilarious, and its great.
Also, I can answer a couple of questions.
I can throw some photos up.
Its like I have friends I get to watch TV with even though Im doing my own thing.
So I dont know whats going to happen.
So Ill continue to support it.
DEADLINE: Going from director to fan!
But I feel like if youre a good director, then youre a fan.
What moves you is going to move someone else.
