From College Newspaper to Hollywood Close-Up: My Interview with John David Washington

Vyshnavi smiling at the camera

Movies have always been more than just entertainment for me; they’re an immersive experience. Growing up, I was the kid begging my parents for trips to the cinema every week, eager for the latest releases. I’m the kind of person who gets deeply invested in stories, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve left theaters with tears streaming down my face after an emotionally charged film like Inside Out. This passion went beyond simply watching movies. I found myself analyzing every scene, discussing plot points and character nuances endlessly with friends, and eventually, I started writing short, informal movie reviews on Facebook, delving into what I loved or loathed about each film.

My journey into film criticism took an exciting turn in August 2020 during the pandemic. Scrolling through online ads, I discovered a call for student writers from The Tech, MIT’s esteemed student-run newspaper. They were looking for reviewers for their Arts section. Despite being a graduate student and The Tech primarily being an undergraduate publication, the idea of contributing and finding a creative outlet during a challenging time was too appealing to ignore. I reached out to the editors to inquire about writing a movie review, and to my delight, they enthusiastically welcomed me. I was thrilled and immediately jumped at the chance, starting with a review of Shakuntala Devi, an engaging biographical drama from India about a brilliant mathematician.

Seeing my first movie review published in my college newspaper was a surreal moment. I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and eagerly shared it with everyone I knew. This initial success fueled my motivation, and I quickly decided to review The Fugitive, a classic thriller starring Harrison Ford, one of my all-time favorite actors. My 5-star rating wasn’t just fan adoration; it was genuine appreciation for a well-crafted film and Ford’s compelling performance.

One of the most incredible perks of writing for The Tech is the access to press screenings and opportunities to interview actors and filmmakers. One day, an email landed in my spam folder that would change my student journalism experience. It was an invitation from the Arts editors: a chance to attend an early screening of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated movie Tenet and interview its lead actor, the incredibly talented John David Washington. Why it went to spam, I still don’t know! By the time I discovered it, hours had passed, likely enough time for someone else to claim the opportunity. Hesitation battled with disappointment. I wanted to respond, but I also felt like I had missed my chance. I couldn’t bring myself to delete the email, a lingering sense of “what if” kept me from letting it go.

The next evening, deciding to take a shot anyway, I replied to the email expressing my interest in the interview. The following morning, I received the expected reply – the opportunity was gone. Disappointment hit hard, but I tried to move on.

Later that same evening, another email arrived, this time CC’ing me on a message from the Arts editors to a Warner Brothers representative. The message read, “Vyshnavi will be attending the screening of Tenet and will interview John David Washington.” Confusion and disbelief washed over me, followed by a massive grin. I dove into the email thread to understand this sudden turn of events. Warner Brothers had contacted The Tech about a Tenet screening in Boston. However, many of the Arts editors were geographically scattered due to the pandemic. While editors in Knoxville and San Francisco were keen, the screening wasn’t in their cities. Ultimately, because I was in Boston, the opportunity landed in my lap. The sheer improbability – Tenet not screening in San Francisco? It felt like fate. If it’s meant to be, it will be, indeed.

And so, the incredible happened. I attended the private press screening of Tenet, completely absorbed in Nolan’s mind-bending film. Returning home, my mind raced with thoughts and interpretations, preparing for the interview with John David Washington. Nerves were definitely a factor, and I even practiced my greeting in front of the mirror. When the interview day arrived, I extended my hand with a genuine smile and said, “Hi John David, it’s an absolute pleasure meeting you!” That moment – pure awe and gratitude. The universe had conspired to make this happen. Naturally, I excitedly shared my review and the interview experience with everyone.

My journey with The Tech continued to flourish. After publishing three articles in one semester, I was promoted to Staff Writer in the Arts section, unlocking even more opportunities, including The Tech‘s annual retreat and banquet. Another highlight was the chance to see Judas and the Black Messiah and interview the cast, including the phenomenal Daniel Kaluuya, who went on to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for that role a couple of months later. I still joke that I was his lucky charm – the interview happened, then the Oscar! My encounters with Hollywood figures continued into 2023 when I interviewed Matt Ruskin, the director of Boston Strangler.

My reviews for the Arts section broadened beyond movies, encompassing everything from J.P. Licks summer ice-cream flavors to immersive art exhibitions like Imagine Van Gogh.

In total, I contributed 16 articles to the Arts section and 5 to the News section, balancing my passion for writing with my responsibilities as a graduate student. The Tech provided the perfect platform to explore my love for film, develop my critical thinking, and share my perspectives with a wider audience. And yes, the extraordinary experiences, like interviewing John David Washington and other talented individuals, were definitely a huge motivator. My only regret? Not discovering The Tech sooner. Who knows who else I might have had the chance to interview?

Collage of movie review article screenshots