Exclusive Interview: Writer-Director David Fortune and Stars William Catlett and Jeremiah Daniels Talk ‘Color Book’

Every so often, a film comes along that transcends art, offering not just a story but an experience that connects profoundly with its audience. Color Book is one such film—a poignant, emotionally charged piece that shines a light on lives and experiences often overlooked in mainstream cinema. At the heart of this remarkable project is writer-director David Fortune, whose vision brings authenticity and nuance to the screen, and stars William Catlett and Jeremiah Daniels, whose performances anchor the film in raw, unfiltered humanity. Together, this creative team has crafted a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll, sparking meaningful conversations about representation, love, and resilience.

Color Book film follows Lucky, a single father grappling with the recent loss of his wife while raising his son Mason, who has Down Syndrome. Searching for healing and connection, Lucky and Mason embark on a heartfelt journey across Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game together. Through their shared adventure, Color Book delves into themes of family, grief, and the quiet moments of joy that bring people closer.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with writer-director David Fortune and stars William Catlett and Jeremiah Daniels about the film’s profound message, the creative process behind it, and the connections they formed along the way. William reflects on taking on a major role that explores complex emotions, delivering a performance that cements his place as a leading man. Meanwhile, Jeremiah shares his experience making his feature debut, captivating audiences with a role that emphasizes his authenticity and depth. In this candid conversation, the trio discusses the significance of representation, the bold decision to shoot in black and white, and the deeply human story at the heart of Color Book.

PC: David, film has an incredible ability to shine a light on lives and experiences that are often overlooked or underrepresented in media. Before putting pen to paper, you explored the gaps that exist within various communities. How did that, along with your research, ultimately shape this narrative and bring authenticity and much-needed representation to the screen?
David: Before I started writing, I wanted to engage with the community. I worked as a camp counselor with children who have Down syndrome. Through those experiences, I connected with the people I interacted with there—the parents raising children with specific disabilities, such as Down syndrome. I didn’t want to rely solely on research; I wanted to truly connect. Through those connections, you hear stories—both the highs and the struggles. Once you gather enough of those, you begin to see a narrative emerge, a story that mirrors lives often unseen in cinema, particularly within the Black community.

Once I received the support and approval of parents raising children with Down syndrome, I felt ready to tell the story in the most truthful way I could. It took me three months to write the script and submit it to the AT&T Untold Stories program. But it all started with building connections and engaging with the community.

PC: It’s one of the best films I’ve seen all year. William, your portrayal of this man who’s grappling with the loss of his partner while staying strong for his son is so grounded and nuanced. How did you find your way into the emotional core of this character, and how did you connect with the complexities of his journey?
William: Wow, that’s a very good question. I stayed present. I accepted Mason, who’s played by the incredible Jeremiah Daniels, for who he is without trying to change anything. A lot of times, as artists, we come to sets full of ego, caught up in the high of the last praise we received. What David did so well, as the captain of this ship, was creating a grounded environment where you could simply show up, be, and exist.

The more I leaned into that and observed Jeremiah with his mom, dad, and everyone on set, I just kept collecting data. I’d notice things like, “Oh, his dad didn’t quite like that, but he covered it. I need to do it like that.” Terrance and his mom were great sources of inspiration—observing them helped me continue to unpack the character and find ways to open up so I could reach Jeremiah, even while my character is dealing with so much internally.

There’s a scene where a brother asks me, “Are you good?” The way I had to cover my emotions in that moment—because I want to break, but I can’t break in front of my son—was pivotal. It was about leaning into those small, layered moments of vulnerability and restraint to bring out the truth in this character’s journey.

PC: Those quiet moments are so impactful. Jeremiah, I can’t believe this is your first feature. Congratulations! How did this project come across your desk, and what made you want to be a part of it?
Jeremiah: It was perfect and so good.

Terrance: We heard about the opportunity, and we couldn’t refuse it. We knew it was perfect for him. The project shines a light on children with disabilities, specifically Down Syndrome, which is something very close to our hearts. What made it even more meaningful was that David was trying to convey a message that aligned so well with how we feel about our son: his desire to be seen and his opportunity to share his voice. It all just fell into place at the right time, in the right way.

PC: There are so many phenomenal performances across the board. David, making this film in black and white was such a brilliant and bold decision. It creates an intimate connection with each of the characters that’s so captivating to watch. As the writer-director, how do you create that space on set for your cast to explore the vulnerable places within their characters, but also those moments of joy you were talking about, in a filmmaking style that’s so raw and stripped back?
David: I approach it like this: I don’t direct them, I allow them. I allow them to exist. I give them the freedom to color within the lines. I always say that sometimes you’ve got to color within the lines. Through that, you trust your actors to come to set prepared and ready.

Jeremiah not only knew his lines, but he knew Will’s lines as well. William Catlett is an incredibly detailed actor who’s both professional and experienced. He knows how to approach a scene with discipline and then improvise in a way that stays true to the story. When you have two phenomenal actors like Jeremiah and William—who come to the script with a sense of discipline but also a sense of wonder and freedom—you can step back as a director and let the world unfold in front of you.

So much credit goes to the cast because they’re brilliant at what they do, which makes my job easier. All I have to do is decide, “This is where I want the camera. We’re going to capture this like a documentary.” By letting things unfold naturally, we get moments that are true, real, and honest. That flexibility and fluidity in storytelling, paired with a great cast, ensures that those moments resonate deeply with audiences.

PC: I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit. It starts from the top down, creating that environment where they can play and explore. William, David wrote and directed this, and you were one of his top choices to play Lucky. How different is that filming experience when the person who created these characters and this universe is also at the helm directing? How did that trust he instilled in you allow you to take more risks with your performances?
William: First of all, you ask great questions.

David: He does!

William: You’re phenomenal at what you do. I’m in awe listening to you.

As for David, he is an answered prayer. Three years ago, I was speaking with my agents and managers, telling them I was ready to lead. But it was always, “Not yet. Not yet. Not yet.” Inside, though, I knew what I carried, and I knew I was ready. When I spoke with David on a Zoom call as we were feeling each other out—am I the guy? Is he the director? Is this the project?—he confirmed everything for me. He told me, “You are the actor. You can do this. You can do that. You’re going to be the captain of this ship.”

To see it all come to fruition this way—it’s a dream come true. I said this at Tribeca, and I’ll say it again: my hope is that anyone watching this, who may feel the same way I felt in their own field, knows that they can do it. That feeling, that impression on your heart, isn’t there for no reason. Eventually, you’ll walk into the thing that’s calling you.

PC: Beautifully said. You are 100% a leading man. I was equally surprised that this is the first time you’ve led a feature. Question for both William and Jeremiah: that father-son dynamic is so believable on screen. You didn’t have much time to rehearse beforehand. How did you build that bond?
William: If you spend any time with Jeremiah, you’ll see he’s the life of the set, the life of the party. He’s so full of love—you can’t help but be drawn to it. So when he walked in and I met him for the first time, he was like, “What’s up, man?” And I thought, “That’s my son.” Even to this day, I say he has two dads: he has Terrance, and he has me. And I mean that.

I went home and told my wife, “I can’t stop thinking about this kid. He’s brilliant.” Terrance and Joi are doing an amazing job raising him, loving him for who he is, and not putting limitations on him. I saw that. Even in scenes when we were running, and he couldn’t quite run as fast as me, I wasn’t going to let him give up on himself. I’d say, “Come on, come on, you can do it.” I saw that same spirit in Terrance and Joi—they allowed him to be. When they corrected him, they corrected him. When they loved him, they loved him.

Even though we didn’t have a lot of time to rehearse, it was just meant to be.

Terrance: From our end, the moment we walked in for the chemistry read, we could see that Will was observing—checking us out to see how we moved and engaged with Jeremiah. He took it all in. During their very first test scenes together, you could tell Will was an actor dedicated to his craft. Like he said, he was so present and in the moment. He figured out how to move forward with Jeremiah, working within any perceived limitations, and knew how to get what he needed from him.

They really brought out the best in each other throughout the entire experience. From the start, as Will said, he treated Jeremiah like his son. There were moments when Will would clean his nose, and we’d think, “Wow, that’s big.” He really saw him as his child, and that’s why their performances resonate so deeply.

PC: As audience members, you feel that connection. David, you shared this beautiful sentiment that just writing this film would have been enough for you. But I really do think this is a story that will resonate with so many after the credits have rolled. As you’ve taken it around the festival circuit, what has it been like to witness the conversations that have started and the impact your art has had?
David: My favorite part of this whole journey has been the Q&As. Audiences aren’t just asking questions—they’re opening up, sharing their vulnerabilities and struggles. Parents have talked about their experiences raising children, whether or not those children have Down syndrome. Black men have shared the challenges they face, the fight to express their emotions, and how rarely they see themselves portrayed this way in cinema.

Watching people connect with Will’s performance and see themselves in his character has been incredibly moving. It’s shocking to hear people say, “We haven’t seen anything like this,” because we’ve been making films for so long. Hearing their outpouring of emotions—their vulnerabilities and joys—has been deeply impactful.

And then there’s the black-and-white element. The industry often tells us black and white isn’t profitable, but audiences have been saying, “We love this film in black and white. We want more like this.” It’s disproving narratives about what sells and what people want to see.

What I’ve learned is that people want truth on screen. They want love on screen. They want to see themselves on screen. That’s what Color Book does, and it’s been incredible to hear the answers, perspectives, and commentary during the Q&A sessions.

Make sure to follow David (Instagram), William (Instagram), and Jeremiah (Instagram).