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DEADLINE: How did you come aboard this project?
MILAUNA JACKSON:I auditioned for the role through Kim Coleman.
She was casting and sent me the audition.
Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell in ‘The Six Triple Eight’Netflix
I had just worked with Tyler [Perry] onA Jazzmans Blues,but that was a different character.
I had the need to play this character that suits me in a different light.
I did a lot of work for that audition; I like to be prepared.
Milauna Jackson, Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian inThe Six Triple EightNetflix
Tyler has said something he thinks Im overprepared [laughs].
He said that to me once inA Jazzmans Blues, but didnt say that forThe Six Triple Eight.
DEADLINE: Its funny how things like that stick with you regardless.
I like the feeling of spontaneity.
Im a risk-taker and Ive applied that in my life professionally, personally, financially, spiritually and emotionally.
And this project was one of those things.
Its easier to put something away from your mind when youre working.
I was working in New York onLaw & OrderandFBI,andThe Six Triple Eightwas the next offer.
So, I just forgot about it and then received the call [around] Thanksgiving from my agent.
I just thought that it was interesting how all of that worked out.
We have to say yes, but we can never say no.
We have to always be available.
We cannot go on vacation.
We cant live our lives.
None of that happened in this case.
DEADLINE: When did you find out about the 6888th Battalion?
And how did your research inform how you played Lt. Campbell?
JACKSON:I just found out from the script.
I never heard about this story.
None of them talk about our contributions within the military armed forces.
I had to bring that same kind of gravitas to the role.
This woman became a Hall of Famer.
So, playing her was an honor.
When the film starts, my character is introduced in the position of being a lieutenant.
And so she starts as a lieutenant.
Shes supporting her friend.
Her friend is supporting her.
But essentially, this means that we are playing superheroes, real-life heroines.
This is a real retelling story about women who sacrificed the things, the components that held them home.
They sacrificed those ties and flew not just mentally and figuratively, but also on a plane.
I couldnt even imagine that.
Im not afraid to fly, but there were women who had trepidation to fly.
But this group of women were like, Lets do it because we got each other.
That just had to fuel my performance, and I hope it did.
DEADLINE: What was it like working alongside Kerry Washington?
Your characters are integral to each other.
They are the ones who have to deal with these white men who undermine them at every turn.
JACKSON:This was my first time working with all of them.
I was familiar with them because I consume a lot of content and love seeing a Black female lead.
It was my first feature film audition.
ButSave the Last Dancewas my first foray into being a professional actress.
The experience was challenging, life-changing, life-altering and life-affirming.
It was difficult and joyful.
Kerry sets the very high bar.
DEADLINE: What kind of physical training went into this role?
Theres a lot of marching, yelling and accent work.
JACKSON:Look, I am from Chicago.
Chicago is the loudest.
The people are so loud.
My family is loud [laughs].
She was unavailable for this project and referred her son, Damien.
He worked with all of us, but particularly me.
He ensured that I was not only period-ready but also ready to command.
It is a visual medium.
So, the camera is unbiased.
It is not going to lie for you.
You cant hide in front of the camera.
So, I had to do work.
And even thats different when youre in a hangar as opposed to when youre outside.
The sound carries inside and then I have a microphone on.
But you cant operate it like you have a microphone on.
I have to operate it like a woman in the back of the room.
You got the front line and then the rear line.
So, I wanted to project my voice all the way to the back so that it resonates.
So, when I stopped, they stopped.
When I moved, they moved.
Even if I couldnt turn around and check, I just had to believe.
Thats where the faith comes in that my voice is going to carry.
So, all of these things were components that I had to remind myself of in the training.
Why am I doing this?
Its not just because I want to look good because I do want to look good.
I do have a career that I am proud of.
I got an ally in Captain Adams.
I have an ally in these women, and so thats why I am doing this.
Abbie Noel Campbell has a son.
She has family members.
Shes got loved ones.
If she and Charity were best friends, that means that Charitys family loved Abbie.
So thats extended family.
So, I had to honor that.
She plays Vera in the film.
She actually has served in the military.
So, I worked with her outside of rehearsals, and I was like, Listen, girl.
This weekend, what are you doing?
Lets go to one of these private rooms in the hotel, where theres nobody.
This is the part of the full commitment.
And I wanted to verify that I did it to the best of my ability.
DEADLINE: What do you hope audiences take away from a story like this?
JACKSON:That all missions that we accomplish typically happen from a collective effort.
That means that while you only may see the 855 women marching.
Prior to them hitting the streets, they were in their location, their schools and at work.
The reason that they were able to do that is because they collectively had a plan.
This [effort] began in the community, with families not being able to reach each other.
Thats how America functions productively.
Its a collective unit.
We have to ask for help.
Nobody taught me that, and I hope it teaches other people that.
