Do you have a Bid For Love? I had a chance to chat with filmmakers of Lawainna Patterson and London Williams producers and writers, and their leading lady, Dawn Halfkenny of BID FOR LOVE 2!
Amber: Congratulations on BID FOR LOVE 2! Fans know that the Bid For Love franchise is a journey of healing, truth, survival, and resilience. Many don’t know this franchise expanded for Lawainna’s play, “My Mistakes Do Not Defy Me”. What was the inspiration behind this play that has turned into a global film franchise?
Lawainna: It was part of my story and my healing. I’m still healing, and I just think that people need to know that no mistakes define me.
Amber: What was the moment you knew you wanted to turn your play into a film?
Lawainna: Well actually COVID hit. They shut down all the venues, and so we ended up turning the play into a film script, then we licensed it with BET.
Amber: I know many writers and creators have different approaches to projects. So where did you start with this project like during the pandemic?
Lawainna: I started after therapy, and I learned a lot about myself, and I thought that others should know. And it just brought me into writing a movie, and I kept thinking, “Everyone needs to know about this.”
Amber: And for the sequel BID FOR LOVE 2, was there a different approach?
Lawainna: Yes, it was because of my producer London, we’re actually the writers on this one. The first one, it was easier and I had a different writer. But for this one, I had to get more in depth about what was really going on.
Amber: That’s really cool that your partnership with London is bringing more passion to the project. So London, what made you want to jump on as a producer for Bid For Love and then expand as a writer for the sequel?
London: I think the first reason I jumped on was because I believe in the story. There’s always a Lawainna in every community, you know. It’s an unfortunate journey that she had to go through, but I believe the journey that she went through is gonna allow her to heal other women as well. I have 5 sisters, so I’ve seen similar things happen in their lives and stuff like that. And you know, even from part one to part two, we just kind of went more in depth by basically building the world around the characters from part one. Part one was more about Lawainna’s journey, but part two is more of a continuation of not only her journey, but the characters around her and the things that are happening in their lives that’s also affecting Lawainna, well Sasha, per se. So we decided to go with this approach to build a bigger story, around the people that are around Lawainna’s life.
Amber: Dawn, you portray the role of Sasha who’s a resilient warrior. How do you get prepared for a role like Sasha, and was your approach different for the sequel?
Dawn: To be honest with you, you know, they gave me more of a breakdown in the sequel. It was more like you see Sasha in part two being a ride or die partner. Then you also see the loving and healing side of Sasha. It was definitely more of a range as well as you know, I feel like the audience had a chance to see a softer side of her in part two.
Amber: That’s amazing. Bid For Love is such a huge franchise! We’re celebrating the sequel, and you’re getting more and more people involved. It’s becoming a cult following. When you first read the script, did you imagine it becoming such a huge franchise?
Dawn: I had no idea. The first BID FOR LOVE, we had the supporters, you know, we had the support, we had the love and everything. But I think once people watched the first one and then that got wind that we were filming part two, they were like, “We know it’s going to be even better than part one.” We shot here in Dallas, so why not have the screening here in Dallas. So again, the love, the support, you know, everyone came out, it was insane. I believe it was 5 sold out theaters! I wanted to try to speak and take pictures with every single person who showed up. As a cast, we want to make sure we give the love back. So much love is poured into us. Everyone was so welcoming and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Amber: London, walk us through the checklist that you consider becoming a producer of a film. We know that you all brought on the amazing Dallas director, Authur Muhammad for the franchise, who also directed CARTER HIGH about Dallas’ very own and Lawainna’s alma mater, Carter High School.
London: I think the checklist of producing is realistically about hiring the right people, building out the team, that’s the first and foremost thing, and the story always comes first, you know. Once you get the story, the environment, and the locations in your mind, you build the right team. The most brilliant thing about Lawainna and her sister, Shun, is that they know everybody in Oak Cliff, so they made it easy for locations. Then just building a team behind it, you know, we built a larger team on the second one, because we know from part one, the things we needed and the people twe needed on staff. We made sure it was a SAG and DGA project as well.
Amber: And a lot of filmmakers have a challenge with finding the best distributor, but you all were successful with landing BET and now you have millions of viewers. What are some skills you must have to become a successful producer?
London: I think some skills to become a successful producer are really networking. I’ve been able to network with the right people to have a vast amount of people in your corner and resources so that you can attract the right distributors as well, because distribution is not just about doing a project and just putting it out. Distribution is about building a relationship so that you and your distributor are becoming partners on the project. So that’s what we’re looking into.
Amber: I was able to attend your amazing Juneteenth BID FOR LOVE 2 screening and celebration and I was amazed by all the incredible energy in the room. Lawainna, did you imagine that BID FOR LOVE would become a huge franchise and gain a massive loyal following that consists of millions of people?
Lawainna: I did because we know a lot of people in the community in town and out of town. I’ve seen how the story resonates with so many people.
Amber: I really appreciate how you shine light on dating and making sure that you know who you’re dating, especially during an era of so much online dating. What do you hope the audience walks away with?
Lawainna: It’s really about going to therapy and finding out who you are and what you keep repeating at the same time. You know, you have to jump in and look in the mirror at some point to look at yourself, be like, “Okay, that’s not right. Something has to be done.” l think everyone should go to therapy. I hope eventually people will stop saying stuff like, “She’s going to therapy? Oh, no, they’re crazy!” I learned a lot about myself, my family, my surroundings, relationships, friendships, you know, it all comes from healing and therapy.
Amber: That’s incredible. Especially because there’s always been such a huge stigma in the Black community specifically about therapy. I’ve definitely heard many people say you’re crazy if you’re going to therapy. I love that more people are more open to gaining more insight. There’s so many Texan artists involved which I absolutely love. And as I was saying before, you all had a Juneteenth screening that he just brought in so much good energy to the city. What is the importance of us telling our stories and supporting each other?
Dawn: Well, let’s go back, because you did your research! You know I am from Killeen!
Amber: I did!
Dawn: Yeah, I rep Texas until the end of the day! When I got wind that we were filming here. I was just like, “Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m coming back home!” So I already know how cool and down to earth, the producers and the director, Authur Muhammad, are. This is my third time filming with Arthur so it was like being back home, being around family, so that was a great opportunity to be attached to another movie with him as well.
Amber: Something else, a lot of people don’t know about you is that your background is in corporate America.
Dawn: Oh my gosh!
Amber: When did you know I want to be an actress and when did you make the decision to do it ? Walk us through that.
Dawn: You know, I’m going to tell my story, and you know, to each his own, I just knew that God has bigger plans for my life. I am a spiritual person, and I try to follow my heart and follow my gut as much as possible. And of course, I pray all the time. I was in corporate America for a few years, and I was just like, “I just know this is not where I want to be. This is not where my life is headed.” It got to the point where I would take extra long lunches and not care to return back on time. I was just really there to get the check. Then I realized I am not even getting paid that much. So I’m like, “Why would I want to continue doing this?” Then, finally, I was just like, you know, I’m going to step out on faith and I haven’t turned back since. It was definitely a blessing to be able to do what I love full-time for over a decade.
Amber: Lawainna, I know the moment you knew you wanted to pursue film is connected to your testimony.
Lawainna: So I remember being incarcerated, and it was like so much happening there and I would tell one of my friends, “I’m gonna make this into a movie.” And I just kept saying it, you know, because I’m believing that I am going to make this into a movie. So once I got out, I worked and years later, the reality shows came out. Some of my friends would tell me I need to do that, you know, we had meetings and things, but nothing ever took place. Then I went into doing a stage play and then, it landed here. My friend will tell you today how I used to always dream about it. She’s from New Orleans and has that accent, “She used to be on the compound saying she’s gonna make a movie.” She used to roll her eyes at me and tell me I was crazy!
Amber: You kept the faith. What are some words of inspiration for artists and aspiring artists? What has kept you going especially when rejection is a huge factor in the industry.
Lawainna: We like rejection, and then we don’t. Haha! You have to be strong in this field and you have to set out and wait, because they do try to tell you no or give you amounts that are not reflecting your worth. We’re setting out and we’re waiting patiently. Are we waiting patiently?
London: Just go! I say, when people are rejecting you or telling you no, you gotta always find a way no matter what. You gotta keep moving, because their rejection is like, what other ways can we do this. Sometimes, you gotta keep in mind, when it comes to the networks, these people, those are regular jobs. That’s corporate America, so they could only beat by the drums of what somebody else is telling them. Unless they have the power and authority to say, yes, then have to find a way and you gotta just keep going. You can’t let anybody define your yes’s or no’s. This is gotta keep moving, no matter what.
Dawn: My foundation is amazing. My support team and my family have been there since the day I said, “You know what, I’m going to be an actor with no resume, nothing under my belt, no kind of acting experience whatsoever.” And they encouraged me to follow what my heart desires and go for it and give it your all. My mom passed in 2016, and before she passed, I made a promise to her that I would not even stop, I would not quit, I wouldn’t give up, none of that. So that’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps my drive. Whatever project I do, I try to make sure that it is better than my last project or very relatable for the audience.
Amber: Dawn, you have a lot of stuff under your bell, but I just feel that you have so much more to come. There’s a Lifetime faith-based project along with a new TV series on the horizon. Walk us through how it has been for you in the industry as a young, beautiful, black woman. Is it about showing up? Is it about praying and attracting those things?
Dawn: I am a firm believer that God has created our mouths to be closer to our ears for a reason because what we speak is what we hear first, and that’s what manifests. Let me say it again, what we speak is what we hear first. I am the type of person to always be positive about my life, so that’s why I say anything positive, manifests. I’ve tried to never ever say anything negative. I am a living proof and a vessel. God has been so good to me.
Amber: What else is on the horizon for the Bid For Love franchise?
Lawainna: We are working on the series now!
London: It’s going to be the Bid For Love universe basically, all types of stuff around the Bid for Love name. We tell you much now, but we are working on some stuff that is going to be a part of the series.
Amber: What three words to describe the BID FOR LOVE 2?
London: My three words are Bid For Love.
Lawainna: My three words are Bid For love-two! We hope to continue changing lives!
Amber: Thank you so much for chatting with me! Make sure to check out BID FOR LOVE 2 on September 11 on BET+!
