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Up and coming director Steven Caple Jr. is one to watch. With his debut feature film, “The Land” ready to open in theaters and VOD tomorrow, he has already been selected into the Sundance Labs to work on his second feature script. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Steven’s film is not only a love letter to his hometown but also a cinematic extension of his own childhood. During our exclusive interview, Steven talks to me about his initial hopes of making it into the NBA, the one character he was overly critical of during the casting process, and the first person he told when Nas came aboard as an executive producer. We begin:

How has this whole experience been for you so far?

It’s been surreal. Thinking back about when I developed the script and wrote out some drafts, it basically just being a concept, to now– getting ready to release the film. It’s crazy, it’s been a surreal experience. As cliche as it sounds, it’s been a dream.

What was life like growing up in Cleveland?

Very similar to the movie. All of the relationships in the film are relationships I had growing up. Every location you saw in the film are places we either hung out at, like the factories and abandoned houses. Those were our playgrounds. I played a lot of basketball growing up there. My mom raised my sister and myself, which is like the Evelyn relationship in the film, being a nurse’s assistant and still is today actually. I was always active as a kid, looking for adventure. It was a blast.

Do you skate?

I tried multiple times, but it just doesn’t click with me, haha. I just appreciate it, every time I see kids doing moves and riding the board part of me is envious, but at the same time, I respect the craft because they have to put so much work and time into doing what they do.

“At one point when I was a kid I wanted to be a cop. A part of me today still does, weirdly.”

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

I always had it in me, I can say that, but I didn’t know that was really [possible]. I thought I was going to play in the NBA at one point, that didn’t work out.
Laughter
At one point when I was a kid I wanted to be a cop. A part of me today still does, weirdly. But around 10 or 11, I started shooting and making films and later in my teen years I took it seriously and tried to pursue it as a career.

Do you remember the first project you ever worked on at the start of your career?

Yeah, haha, it was so bad. It was a short film called “Closed” that I actually acted in. Basically, a kid goes to rob a store and when he robs the store, it ends up getting locked down and he gets stuck inside with the owner’s kid. It’s this weird drama inside of a store.

Oh yeah, I like that.

You like that? Oh man it was so short and so bad, mostly because I was acting in it.

“I went to USC and actually developed the script as a thesis project.”

Are there any characters that you personally related to?

Boobie [played by , he’s actually based off of me, Boobie is my nickname as well. He’s the conscious kid in the group and [very thoughtful]. That’s my steeze, which has got me to where I am right now.

Cool! When you were casting that character, were you overly critical?

Super overly critical. Which I’m glad we found Ezzy, because Ezzy can relate to that– that’s what he raps about. He’s also from my same city so he already had the whole thing down pat.

As a writer/director, did you have any help during the screenwriting process?

Yeah, I had some help. I went to USC and actually developed the script as a thesis project. I had teachers there who helped out tremendously. I also had students who sat in on the class and helped give notes and made suggestions. So yeah, there were a lot of people involved.

Were you involved in the Sundance Labs?

Not for “The Land,” but I’m in one now called the FilmTwo Initiative, in which they help you develop and create your second film. It’s going great, I’m just working out what that second film is going to be. They mostly help in career navigation, how to get to the second film and connecting with the right people.

“The best part… I don’t think it’s happened because we haven’t had our film premiere in Cleveland yet.”

Getting Nas and Erykah Badu attached to this project must have been huge. Do you remember the first person you told when Nas agreed to a collaboration/executive produce the film?

I think it was my fiancée, I asked producer first, ‘wouldn’t it be crazy if Nas did it? Can I ask him?’ All of the producers were like, ‘Of course, go now!’ So I called him and told him I wanted to make this happen and he said it’s as good as done. After that, I called my fiancée and we both geeked out, it was crazy. His involvement has been crucial, not only it getting the buzz about the film out but he’s very collaborative and hands-on with the project. He was– legit– in post-production with me working on the film.

What was the Sundance premiere like?

That was the first time all of the actors saw the movie. Then there was the concert with Nas, Erykah Badu, Machine Gun Kelly, Ezzy… the energy was insane. We were partly nervous because this is a passion project, we didn’t have much money and “The Land” was our little baby, and we all felt the same was at the festival.

What has been the best part of this entire experience?

That is a great question… the best part… I don’t think it’s happened because we haven’t had our film premiere in Cleveland yet. I think that’s going to be the best part. The response that we’ve been getting already is insane. To be totally honest, to play the film in my hometown, on a personal level, [is more fulfilling] than playing Sundance and all of these other festivals. I’m really looking forward to that part.