Power Book IV: Force Season 2 has found its stride on its story and narrative as episode 3 masterfully blends emotional depth with the series’ signature action and violence.
We had the privilege of speaking with Cierra ‘Shooter’ Glaudé, the director, who shared valuable insights into the intricate preparation required for such a large-scale episode and the experience of collaborating with this exceptional ensemble of actors.
The Knockturnal: How did you balance your directing skills for this episode?
Cierra ‘Shooter’ Glaude: So for this episode to all three of I tell people, I feel like it’s like the inciting episode of like the whole season, you know, a lot of stuff really is kicked off and underway and I had a really good time, you know, shooting it and collaborating with the actors, especially like when actors have been characters for so long and just being able to like, you know, collaborate with them and get different options, different versions of the take and stuff like that.
I value the contributions of the actors and appreciate how their performances enhance the overall narrative. They often bring a lot to the table, complementing the story I’ve crafted. I genuinely enjoy being part of shows that offer a diverse range of elements and keep the episodes engaging. However, it’s essential to have moments of emotional depth to anchor the story. In this episode, we managed to strike a balance by delving into intricate family relationships while still keeping the plot dynamic.
The Knockturnal: What was the collaborative process like in developing the character arc for Jenard and crafting the pivotal moments that led to his descent in this episode?
Cierra ‘Shooter’ Glaude: So a lot of it is birthed in the writers room. One of the first conversations that me and my writer, Terri Kopp, was just about the things that the characters were going through. And she explained to me that this episode was kind of where Jenard started slipping, you know, getting into stuff you shouldn’t be getting into. So we were really focused on that. And just the whole time in the episode, he is doing like this until he kind of crashes out at the end there. And that just sits like a whole other series of events in motion for later in the season and stuff like that. But again, a lot of that heavy lifting is done with the writers. Shout out to Kris Lofton, who plays Jenard, because, you know, he had to bring it and really be into those moments. I love that scene in the car with him and Lil K. You really just feel like that savage viciousness, that desperation out of him, which is really dope.
The Knockturnal: What were some of the challenging scenes for you as a director for this episode?
Cierra ‘Shooter’ Glaude: In this episode, the most demanding aspects were the stunts we had to execute, particularly the Lamborghini chase sequence. Initially, it was a bit longer, but we encountered logistical challenges on the shooting day, including issues with the sun’s position, which necessitated a change in the shooting schedule. Coordinating the stunts was another complex aspect, as we had to conduct numerous practice runs with the stunt cars to ensure safety.
Additionally, we incorporated some innovative camera dollies, which were motorized and added a dynamic element to certain scenes, like the one where it felt like we were racing down the street. Another challenging scene was set in a torture chamber, requiring meticulous planning to determine the best materials, including silicone and others, for the fake hand to make it look convincing on camera, especially during moments when it needed to appear broken. These were some of the most demanding aspects of our work.
However, it’s worth noting that the actor’s ability to deliver their performances and hit their emotional marks was equally crucial to the success of the episode.