INT. INTERVIEW
DARREN: Well just after I got my performing arts degree it became pretty apparent that there wasn't a whole lot of work in this country for black actors, which of course is why I'm incredibly indebted to Harry and his contemporaries for providing us with this kind of opportunity to appear on mainstream TV without being portrayed as some sort of grotesque stereotype...
INT. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - Workplace based sitcom with all white cast
DOCUMENTARY FILM-MAKER (VO): For eight years now Darren has specialised in playing offended minorities in sitcoms with an all-white main cast. his first break was in Harry Twaines acclaimed sitcom "Toner"
HARRY, IN CHARACTER, IS TELLING A JOKE TO A WHITE CO-WORKER
HARRY: Alright, why can't Stevie Wonder read?
DARREN APPEARS
DARREN: Hey, we telling a joke over here?
HARRY: Geewhuuhh....
DARREN: Go on then, why can't Stevie Wonder read?
HARRY: Because he... hair... gets in his eyes...
DARREN: I see...
HARRY: Because you think I'm going to say because he's blind...and...
DARREN: No, no. I get it.
THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON DARREN'S FACE, HE LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO IT AND SHAKES HIS HEAD IN AN OFFENDED MANNER
INT. INTERVIEW
DARREN: I think that's some of best work, and of course it opened the door to some amazing projects. There was 'Intercourse'
INT. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - A house full of young caucasians having a house-party
THE DOORBELL RINGS
YOUNG CAUCASIAN #1: Pizza's here!
HE ANSWERS THE DOOR TO PIZZA DELIVERY MAN DARREN
YOUNG CAUCASIAN #1: Cheers, mate. (BEGINS TO WALK OFF) Oops, almost forgot to pay you there. Can't very well deliver pizzas for nothing, can you?
DARREN STARES AT HIM
YOUNG CAUCASIAN #1: Of course because... you're not a slave or anything... Um...
THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON DARREN'S FACE, HE LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO IT AND SHAKES HIS HEAD IN AN OFFENDED MANNER
INT. INTERVIEW
DARREN: And of course there was my appearance in 'Corking it!'
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - Studio-based pub sitcom
WOMAN: Right, are we all ready for Jamaal's birthday?
MAN: Right, I've got his cake right here, WHOOPS!
THE MAN FALLS OVER AND LANDS FACE FIRST INTO THE CAKE
DARREN ENTERS, EVERYONE JUMPS UP AND SHOUTS 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!', THE ICING ON THE MANS FACE SOMEHOW LOOKS LIKE MINSTREL MAKE-UP
THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON DARREN'S FACE, HE LOOKS STRAIGHT INTO IT AND SHAKES HIS HEAD IN AN OFFENDED MANNER
INT. INTERVIEW
DARREN: And when Harry said he was doing a new show, of course I jumped at the chance to get involved. That guy's a writing powerhouse, I don't know where he keeps getting his new ideas...
INT. ARCHIVE FOOTAGE - Workplace based sitcom with all white cast
HARRY, IN CHARACTER, IS TELLING A JOKE TO A WHITE CO-WORKER
HARRY: Okay, here's one: why can't Ray Charles read?
DARREN APPEARS
DARREN: What's up, guys? We telling jokes?
INT. COUNCIL HALL - ethnic kids sitting in rows
DARREN (TO CAMERA): I basically started the academy to help kids in my situation who wanted to get into playing offended minorities in sitcoms. We do lots of improv sessions and role-plays...
FILM-MAKER: So, some of them will be playing people who offend the minorities
DARREN: Thaat's not really relevant to the skills they need to learn, what I like to do is have two kids facing each other and lret them just both be offended at each other...
CAMERA MOVES OVER TO TWO KIDS STARING AT EACH OTHER AND SHAKING THEIR HEADS
DARREN: James! More boggle-eyed!
INT. INTERVIEW
FILM-MAKER: So what advice would you give to people looking to break into the offended minority acting industry?
DARREN: Basically just... look offended in response to white people accidental insensitivity...
FILM-MAKER: Is that it?
DARREN: Pretty much. I mean... Or you could just f**k off to America where you might actually get more than two lines. To be quite honest I don't really need the competition...
