Strategic Moves and Cinematic Grooves of ‘Checkmate: The Last King’
“Checkmate: The Last King” is a creative blend of wit, collaboration, and strategic chess. In a recent interview with Louis Boakye (writer, producer, actor) he shared the origins and evolutions of the short film.
The short film “Checkmate: The Last King” originated from the series “Uninvited,” with Boakye, Musa Aden, Damarr Jones, and Arvin Mitchel originally involved with the project. Initially conceived as a monthly 15-minute episodic series, the storyline underwent an evolution when Boakye proposed the integration of chess. Working with Jon Cooper, the idea evolved into a 20-minute short film, inspired by a chess game.
“Playing at {Moroni Okonah’s} house, I envisioned crafting an episode around a character who moves into his grandfather’s cabin, only to discover an old chess set haunted by a ghost” said Boakye.
Driven by a passion for collaboration, Boakye acknowledged Utah’s film industry’s unique ability to unite individuals of diverse backgrounds, fostering lasting bonds in the pursuit of creating art. The enjoyment of watching others love their work stood as a potent motivational force for the entire filmmaking team.
“It’s an environment where lifelong friendships are forged, and the joy of witnessing people enjoy your work is an exhilarating experience like no other. We literally had people offer their help without us asking and I was more than grateful for their help!”
Boakye’s reflected on the harmonious process given by each team member to their characters. The director, cinematographer, and the entire ensemble seamlessly melded their expertise into a cohesive canvas, producing a collection of comedic moments to draw in audiences.
Yet, as with any cinematic experience, “Checkmate: The Last King” faced its own set of challenges. Boakye detailed the meticulous planning required to maintain consistency in the chess game.
“Ensuring consistency in the chess game, especially when shooting out of order, proved to be the most challenging aspect of filming. I vividly remember spending nearly an hour and 40 minutes examining continuity pictures, meticulously planning moves like the Kairoken defense and the Saragoza opening.”
In retrospect, Boakye shared his insights on what he would have altered given the opportunity to make the film over again. A desire for an on-set chess consultant, an extended shooting schedule, and a dedicated producer would have afforded Boakye the ability to focus on acting.
“Juggling both responsibilities took me out of my character, impacting my performance. There were moments where I felt less authentic, as I was involved in crew-related matters. Looking at my performance, I can pinpoint those instances, and it makes me cringe a bit, realizing I wasn’t fully immersed in my character due to other responsibilities.”
“Checkmate: The Last King” has just begun a festival run and will be available on YouTube, with additional platforms made to extend its reach on platforms like Vimeo and other streaming services. Boakye expressed hope that viewers would not only enjoy the film but actively share it with others.
For those interested in tracking Louis Boakye’s career he extended a personal invitation to engage in real-time via social media channels with particular attention driven to his Instagram..
“Checkmate: The Last King” stars Louis Boakye, Dave Martinez, Jennica Anusua, and Damarr Jones. The film was directed by James Cooper.
