Hidden talent in Plain Sight

Sunday Newsday spoke with her and members of the cast and crew about the show. Dieffenthaller, producer, director and co-writer said half of the series’ pilot had so far been shot in six different communities - Carenage, Sea Lots, St Barb’s, Fort Picton, St Paul Street and Beverly Hills.

She explained that they tried to use people in the area for the facilities, catering, supplying of snacks and as extras.

“We discovered great talent in all areas.” Shooting half the pilot employed 110 people and the eight-episode first season could employ as much as 1,000 actors from each community, except Beverly Hills, though they plan to do so before completing the pilot.

“The point of Plain Sight is tell the story behind the stories,” Dieffenthaller said, adding that people need to understand what is behind the bad news rather than just sensationalising it. People “living in silos” is one of the key things they want to address with the show, as people living in Beverly Hills, Laventille can look at people in Westmoorings but not know who they are, and vice versa.

“We know nothing that happens behind closed doors.” While shooting, she said, she found out that some people living in lower St Barb’s have never been to Upper St Barb’s, which was an eye-opener.

“We are hoping to break barriers certain things.” Dieffenthaller said people think they are so different and removed, but Plain Sight will show how one murder connects people from every strata of society.

Show co-writer, Mervyn De Goeas said some of the residents are able to relate to some portraying, and one man was brought to tears because his nephew had been in a similar situation.

He added that people fear going into these communities because they believe they will fall victim to crime. But based on his experience, “it was just people.” Paige De Leon, who plays a newscaster if the series, said it was about unlocking the mystique behind criminality.

“When they choose to do something, what’s behind it? What did they have happen to them this morning, what did they have happen yesterday? What did their father do to them? And while this stuff is talked about, it is not appreciated and understood that people who do certain things have a lifestyle that backs it up. And I think this is what is key about Plain Sight at this point.

It tells a story of a really negative narrative that is coming out of Trinidad where it’s lawless and people don’t care and people do whatever they feel like doing, and compassionless.

I think this may be the thing that unlocks that perception that people have about our society now.” She said shooting in these communities gave them an alternative view of themselves.

“They don’t see themselves.

They don’t look inside to see what is happening with their own community.” The series, she said, will also focusing on the middle-class lifestyle, showing how journalists, politicians and administrators interact.

As it regards employment, she said television is an ongoing thing and noted that Westwood Park ran for six seasons and provided employment for a number of people. It also provides product placement opportunities and can work to attract people to TT.

De Leon said the film is about selling the country and provides an opportunity to market the country beyond just an ad but through a piece of art. She added that Trinbagonians need to jump on board and realise how critical it is to showcase national identity.

Dieffenthaller noted that Westwood Park turns 20 this year and is still selling, currently starting its first run in the Pacific country of Papua New Guinea.

Actress Natacha Jones, who plays a politician’s wife in Plain Sight, said when she travels the Caribbean she still gets recognised for her role as Tiffany La Tour in Westwood Park. Jones added that Dieffenthaller really puts in the best and demands the best.

Actor Chris Smith plays politician Anatika Bakari and said the show gives a humanity to the characters and its motivations are “not only interesting but will open eyes and drop jaws.” As an actor he is grateful to have an opportunity to grow in his craft and explore a character over time. e lamented that as an actor in Trinidad you have so few opportunities especially for consistent work.

He said every time we turn on the television we invite America in, and he is “so happy to be involved in something where I can see me and my image.” The cast also features Mari-Ange Ramirez as Sarah Alleyne, a forensic scientist/ detective, Barbadian actor Sean Michael Fields and Trinidad-born actor Valmike Rampersad (Bazodee).

Dieffenthaller said they are still in the process of raising funds to continue shooting, which she described as an issue. She said some people do not understand that you need to have a pilot to sell the show and said some say they will come on board after she has raised all the money.

The usual syndrome of waiting to see and then they all jump in,” she said of the people who were waiting to see the pilot in its entirety before deciding on whether or not to assist with funding.

The first season of Plain Sight is expected to be eight episodes long and may be aired on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. Dieffenthaller explained that this format will allow them to be more “edgy” than using a traditional network.

The season is moulded around different local festivals and will include Carnival, Hosay and Christmas.

“We are always underselling ourselves but people want to get into our world,” as there have been expressions of interest on the film from Spain, Germany and countries in South America.

“We have an audience bigger than we think or understand.”