Common is an Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy-winning artist. ECHO contributor Thomas Manning recently interviewed the rapper and actor about his work on the Apple TV+ series Silo. Common compares and contrasts his experiences as an artist across multiple mediums, discusses the character of Robert Sims, talks about working with showrunner Graham Yost, and explores the joy of being an artist.
Looking to Silo, the showrunner, Graham Yost, has had such a phenomenal career over the past few decades. From his work in film with Speed and Broken Arrow and The Last Castle, to his work in TV with Justified and The Americans. So, I was wondering, prior to collaborating with him on Silo, what was your background with the work of Graham Yost, and how did your perception of him as a filmmaker evolve over the course of your time making Silo?
I was extremely excited to be able to even meet with Graham Yost, knowing the work that he had done. Especially when it got to, not only his films, but his TV work was exceptional. The Americans and Justified, I mean he’s one of the greatest showrunners in TV. His creativity and the way he brings things as a leader, it’s inspiring. My first meeting with him, I felt like I was meeting with somebody who was very sincere. It felt like they cared about what the work was, and they cared about people, and both of those things mean a lot to me. So, I was really inspired and excited, and my agents were too. We were all like, “Yo, we could potentially be working with Graham Yost.” And it turned out to be a blessing upon a blessing. He just brings the right people together. The cast that he’s gotten for Silo – Tim Robbins and Rebecca Ferguson, David Oyelowo and Rashida Jones and Chinaza [Uche], these actors that are just phenomenal. Rick Gomez. These people who just light the screen up and light these scenes up. And the crew and our directors. I’m just with one of the greatest showrunners that TV has seen. I’m more than grateful.
I’m also curious for you as someone who is both a musician and an actor, when you’re focusing in and trying to refine your craft, how does the feeling compare when you’ve had an incredible day in the recording studio where everything fell into place as a music artist vs. a great day of filming on a movie or TV set where it all clicked for you as an actor? How do those emotions compare between those situations?
Well, Thomas, they both have a heavenly thing to them. I think art is divine. When I’m creating a song or in the studio and it’s coming through, I feel the presence of God, that creativity and that light. And it’s an amazing experience. And then if I’m in a scene, and I’m really present, and me and my scene partners are really just alive, I feel that presence of God in that creativity and that light. So, they have those similarities. I think the difference is – you know in film and TV, I’m collaborating with more people, you have to find a synchronicity and a rhythm that just has to happen. You bring what you bring, but everybody else, for it to be a great scene, we all have to bring it. So, it’s the camera team, the lighting. I like the team effort that it takes in television and film. As well as, when I’m creating in the studio, I’m working with a band, but it’s not as many people that’s involved. You get on a TV set and you see hundreds of people working and you’re like “wow.” So, I love that collaboration. I’m into teamwork, so I love it.
I know that for you as an actor, finding the “the truth” of each of your characters is massively important to you. So, for seeking out that truth in the character of Robert Sims in Silo, what was the most important aspect of his character that helped you to unlock that truth in your performance?
I think the most important aspect for me was, “Why does Robert Sims care so much about protecting the people of the silo?” Because it’s obvious the choices he’s making in his life is about protecting the people of the silo and his family. I wanted to find that space of, why does he function from that way? And another thing that was really intriguing for me to get to: Does he ever doubt what he’s doing? Does he ever think about, “Is this the right thing to do?” Those are things that we as human beings just possess. What drives us? What made me want to be an artist? What made me want to be an actor? What makes me want to do things for the community? In what moments am I wavering? So, I really wanted to find those things and those truths in Sims. And I feel like I have, and the more the writers allowed my character to develop, and you see how round he is as a character, and you see the depths of Sims. And the depths of all the characters. All of these characters, none of them are like all good or all bad. It’s just phenomenal writing and just great TV making.
All episodes of Silo Season 1 are currently streaming on Apple TV+. A second season is currently in production.