By Megan SaylesAFRO Workers Writermsayles@afro.com
Baltimore native Imani Nia Robinson brings again the nostalgic really feel of 90s classics like “Residing Single” and “A Completely different World” along with her new present, “3 Blind Mice.” Now, the present’s pilot has gone viral.
The story follows Naeemah, performed by Robinson herself. A Black lady adopted by a White couple, Naeemah grew up in a predominantly White neighborhood. In search of a deeper connection to her roots, she transfers to a traditionally, Black faculty in Baltimore the place she meets a various group of buddies— every at a distinct stage in their very own lives— who assist information her on a journey of self-discovery.
Robinson first devised the idea for the present whereas in highschool on the Waldorf Faculty of Baltimore. On the time, she was the one Black woman in her class. Her finest pal referred to her as an “Oreo,” meant to explain a Black one that adopts mannerisms, pursuits or a manner of talking stereotypically related to White folks.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to determine who I used to be, my identification and the way I may really feel a way of belonging. I believed to myself, ‘Wow, there actually isn’ t a TV present on the market a few Black protagonist who feels othered throughout the Black neighborhood,’” stated Robinson. “I believed there was additionally humor in that, and I needed to create a personality that I may act and star in as myself. It advanced into the ‘3 Blind Mice’ that you just see right this moment.”
The present’s themes of identification and belonging that impressed Robinson additionally resonate with the solid, every of whom brings a novel perspective to the story. One other solid member born and raised in Baltimore, Arthur R. Fitzhugh III, who performs Kevin, associated to the themes by means of his personal expertise with household dynamics.
“As a child, we used to go to household reunions on a regular basis. Over time, that dwindled away, and our connection to these earlier generations just about died out,” stated Fitzhugh. “That’s a standard story for lots of Black Individuals, particularly as a result of we don’t have these roots that return to an African tribe or nation. My lineage begins and ends in Baltimore to my information.”
On the coronary heart of “3 Blind Mice” is the trio of Naeemah; Brittanie, performed by Natasha M. Gallop, and Muffin, performed by Crystal T. Johnson. Gallop, an traditionally Black faculty and college (HBCU) graduate herself, was particularly drawn to the various depiction of HBCU tradition.
“I actually liked the truth that we get to reveal audiences to all the lovely issues about totally different types of Black tradition,” stated Gallop. “We’re not a monolith.”
For Johnson, her character gave her a possibility to discover an individual she at all times needed to be. Starring as Muffin has provided an outlet for her to discover ways to be extra genuine and outspoken.
“I checked out her as my probability to return and reconnect with a few of the elements of myself that I might need silenced or quieted,” stated Johnson. “She made me take into consideration all of these instances the place I needed to face up for one thing or be that mama bear in a gaggle, and I truly didn’t.”
The solid filmed your complete pilot in Baltimore over the course of 5 days, placing a highlight on Coppin State College, the 125-year-old HBCU on Baltimore’s West Aspect, and different symbols related to Appeal Metropolis, such because the Domino Sugar signal.
The present was launched on YouTube on Aug. 4 and had greater than 30,000 views as of Aug. 19.
Robinson stated she needed Baltimore to really feel like its personal character within the story. She beforehand acted in “The Wire” and needed to problem the damaging narratives surrounding town.
“It was vital for me to indicate the attraction of Baltimore— the way it’s actually lovely, how now we have a extremely large arts neighborhood and Black-owned companies and totally different neighborhoods that folks don’t even find out about,” stated Robinson. “I needed to shine a light-weight onto that.”
“I need folks to really feel excited and happy with how we characterize this metropolis,” she stated.
Getting “3 Blind Mice,” produced was not a simple journey. After years of making an attempt to get the present on its ft with different manufacturing corporations, Robinson’s mom, Noni Robinson, inspired her to begin her personal studio, Religion and Function Productions.
“When your baby has a dream that’s larger than you think about, you be taught from it, you develop and also you experience the wave. She was so diligent, targeted and motivated. I understood the depth of her want, and I additionally understood at a younger age how inventive and gifted she was,” stated Noni Robinson, govt producer of the present. “If I’m being sincere, I didn’t count on it to develop in the best way that it did. It’s been a tearful and proud second.”
Director Letia Solomon stated she was instantly drawn to the Robinsons’ mother-daughter dynamic and the guts within the script. This mixed along with her understanding of what it’s wish to battle with identification led her to hitch the challenge.
Solomon stated capturing was a heavy carry. The manufacturing included greater than 100 solid and crew members.
“This was an enormous challenge that we had to determine, however I used to be capable of make sense of what they needed to do within the time they needed to do it in,” stated Solomon. “And, you already know what made it straightforward? Imani is a superb actress. She made my job straightforward. She made my job enjoyable. I felt like we have been portray along with her efficiency.”
The pilot has garnered recognition, together with awards for Finest Indie Pilot on the 2024 Essence Movie Pageant and Finest Collection on the 2023 Queen Metropolis Movie Pageant.
If the present just isn’t picked up by a bigger community or streaming service, Robinson and her group plan to maintain producing it independently by means of Religion and Function Productions. Nonetheless, they’re searching for companions, traders and financiers to assist carry future episodes to life.
They’re additionally hoping to safe Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott for a cameo down the road.
Because the response from viewers has been overwhelmingly constructive, Robinson and the solid and crew say they’ve far more in retailer for Appeal Metropolis.
“Please, Baltimore, stick to us. We love you a lot. We’re so pleased that now we have your backing,” stated Robinson. “You might be a part of the ‘3 Blind Mice’ household, and this isn’t going to be the final time you hear of us.”
