Written by Ashley Wehrs, Photo courtesy of Awol Erizku
The vanguard is a part of the action; they’re at the front of an advancing force and leading the way in new development. SCAD’s 2020 Vanguard Award couldn’t be more well-suited for Tessa Thompson, a true force to be reckoned with.
As a film, television and theater actor, Thompson has amassed popular credits in “Creed,” “Thor: Ragnorak,” “Dear White People,” “Westworld” and her upcoming and predicted Oscar nominated film “Sylvie’s Love.” Thompson thrives in front of the screen, but doesn’t plan to disengage from the important work behind it.
Following her acceptance speech, Thompson described quarantine as a time for her to illuminate what’s essential, including the utility of story and reimagining our world. At home, Thompson learned to edit. “It should be a living, breathing thing that you continue to make discoveries,” Thompson said. “Continue to be curious.”
Maintaining a curious and open mind, allows Thompson to find joy and mystery in every project. Beyond Thompson’s acting success, she has amassed four producing credits. “I’m someone who really likes to be interested in the macro of the story, not just the micro,” Thompson said. Moving forward, Thompson plans to pursue writing and directing.
Although Thompson remains curious of other creative outlets, acting is her priority. Speaking on her acting career, Thompson feels like she’s gained more agency. There was a time in her career in which she saw black women consistently minimized to the role of a side kick or ideas of what a black woman was. She slowed down on the content she was making during this time. “You’re sort of defined by the things that you don’t do as by the things that you do,” Thompson said.
Her work in “Mississippi Damned” and the MARVEL Cinematic Universe have been positive contributions to her repertoire. “Mississippi Damned” was the first time Thompson recalled discovering the camera wasn’t as intrusive as she believed it to be. It taught her that as an actor, you’re in conversation with the camera and that you can communicate things that are incredibly personal.
In MARVEL, her role as Valkyrie pushed Thompson to redefine story. In many ways, Valkyrie redefined the superhero genre for everyone. She made a step forward in female, people of color and LGBTQ+ representation. “[We’re] not just showing the world as it is, but as what it could be or what it should be,” Thompson said.
When advising those pursuing creative careers, Thompson had two pieces of advice: “Dress to feel a certain way, not to look a certain way” and “[Make] sure that you are considering what your own truth is and not how it might look to everyone else.”
