ONE37pm: In the film, most of your scenes were with Lakeith. What did you learn from him on set?
Kelvin Harrison Jr.: What’s so cool about Lakeith is he’s constantly discovering something new in every moment. So, I feel like when you’re in the moment, the characters just keep evolving. He’s so great with improv and coming up with cool jokes and he’s really transformative, as well. To see him take on this very slick, cool kind of big brother-type vibe was fun for me. I learned how to play more and not be so stuck in my head about things.
Is there a moment or a scene that he improvised that sticks out to you?
Harrison: We did this scene in the office, and I can’t really remember exactly because it was a year ago (laughs). But, I remember at every tail-end of the scene there would be different things he would say to me. I don’t remember the context of the scene anymore, but every day was like that.
You’ve been in mostly dramatic roles, but most of your work in The Photograph is comedic. How was that adaptation?
Harrison: It was something I was kind of scared of because I had never done it before and originally I told Stella I wanted Y’Lan’s [Noel] role because I know how to do that. She was like, "Baby, you were too much of a baby, so you can’t play that part." So, it was kind of a challenge because I think everyone was like, "Can he do this? He’s never done this before." But, I think Stella helped me just have fun and see what happens. The prep was the same way. I was like, "Where am I?" I’m this kid who’s an intern who’s coming into New York to have this really great job with this dude that he respects. He’s kind of awkward, but he’s coming of age. He’s just turned 25, so he’s feeling himself.