Essence Atkins On “OPEN” Love and Producing An Erotic Romance

Not too long ago BET.com spoke to actress and producer Essence Atkins, who not solely stars within the newest BET authentic “OPEN,” but in addition helped produce it as properly. The movie, which Atkins reveals was shot in 15 days, explores the yeses, woes and no’s of a polyamorous relationship, because it pertains to a married couple of colour.

Within the movie, Essence performs protagonist “Wren” who’s married to husband “Cameron” (Keith Robinson). After discovering out their shut associates are in an open relationship, Wren and Cam additionally discover the thought themselves, however discover out quickly sufficient, that opening their love reside, additionally opens doorways for extra drama.

Take a look at what Essence needed to say about tapping into one in every of her multifaceted roles but, in addition to how she took place placing on her producer’s hat for her newest, steamy position.

BET: Inform us somewhat extra about OPEN and what folks could not anticipate, to anticipate, from a film that facilities on the dialog of polyamory?

With OPEN, you go into the journey and perils of this married couple, and the challenges of one thing that I suppose from sure look, would possibly appear to be a super scenario for some, when it comes to the liberty that it might provide you with. 

Nonetheless, I feel that, often folks function from a spot of both working to pleasure or working from ache. So given the choice to be “open,” you’ll think about that you just’re most likely doing each. You’re working to the pleasure of having the ability to have relationships and be on a journey with whomever you, and your companion, agree is a chance. And on the similar time, you’re avoiding the betrayal – so that you suppose – of what you would possibly take care of in a monogamous scenario. However it’s not so simple as that, as a result of anytime there are human feelings concerned, nothing is ever that easy. 

BET: Do you’re feeling this film is considerably of an erotica or a romance?

As a result of we’re speaking about an open marriage, there are some type of sensual themes, you already know? However actually the film is in regards to the “What if’s” you already know? And oftentimes we begin down a street. Like once we had been youngsters, folks would say, “Don’t write checks you’ll be able to’t money.” So it’s actually about opening up Pandora’s pox, however not essentially being ready for what occurs subsequent whenever you do.

BET: Are you able to communicate some extra on not solely being in entrance of the digicam, however behind it as properly, and being one of many producers of OPEN?

So sure, I’m one of many producers of the movie. I used to be first launched to the script by Cas Sigers, who wrote the film and likewise directed the film. A while in the past – plenty of years in the past – I used to be in Puerto Rico doing a film along with her referred to as Girlfriends Getaway, with Melinda Williams and Terry Vaughn. They despatched me the script and mentioned [to me], ‘I feel that this might suit you.’ And I learn it, and I used to be moved to tears. 

On the finish of the day, OPEN is a love story. So I simply discovered it to be a unique tackle love and what unconditional love appears like. 

BET: How has this been completely different for you from the roles that you’ve completed earlier than? So far as different love tales that you just’ve completed or simply any kind of film you’ve performed in the place you will have been a love curiosity, how was this completely different out of your earlier roles?

I imply, you’re proper. Prior to now, I’d usually establish particularly as to what you simply mentioned. I’m not the love curiosity in OPEN; I’m the protagonist. what I imply? This story is advised by way of Wren and it’s her journey; it’s her choice. She’s the one who performs it to her husband, and it finally ends up being her story when it comes to how she finally ends up navigating this entire factor. 

So, once more, I suppose, it’s the juxtaposition from once I was in my twenties and now being in my forties, it’s actually about like, as a lady, as an developed lady, as a profession lady, as a multifaceted lady, what the possession of my sexuality appears like. It’s not dictated by social norms and even social constructs, however by my very own pondering and my very own questions.

BET: What do you’re feeling defines “success” in a relationship, and what are some non-negotiable elements to make a relationship work? 

I positively suppose that any profitable relationship requires belief, so far as what I belief in, or within the nucleus that’s our relationship. And what I discover is, what offers me consolation and ease might not be the identical factor that provides you consolation and ease.

So that you may need two people who find themselves on the identical web page on the subject of what that’s – learn how to outline belief, learn how to outline respect. Love is type of the simple part- love is sort of the given. It’s actually all these different issues: communication, belief, respect. And what I discover is, how do I outline, what’s the type of conduct, for me, that me makes me really feel protected. That’s success. Success is whenever you really feel protected and whenever you really feel cherished, and you can’t actually create a assemble that’s complacent   to everybody. 

OPEN will premiere on Saturday, March 14th at 8PM on BET & BET HER.