who are we asking for permission to do what we want to do that should be
what we want to do that should be
what we want to do that should be eradicated so if you are not paying
eradicated so if you are not paying
eradicated so if you are not paying attention to your intention then your
attention to your intention then your
attention to your intention then your life just kind of is a bit of a hot mess
life just kind of is a bit of a hot mess
life just kind of is a bit of a hot mess you get in the elevator with someone
you get in the elevator with someone
you get in the elevator with someone after an interview and they’re just
after an interview and they’re just
after an interview and they’re just bitching and moaning or a year.this bad
bitching and moaning or a year.this bad
bitching and moaning or a year.this bad thing that’s happening it’s not
thing that’s happening it’s not
thing that’s happening it’s not happening – it’s happening point if your
happening – it’s happening point if your
happening – it’s happening point if your dream only includes you it’s too small
dream only includes you it’s too small
dream only includes you it’s too small I’ve been crew so I know how it feels to
I’ve been crew so I know how it feels to
I’ve been crew so I know how it feels to be on a set where there’s not you know
be on a set where there’s not you know
be on a set where there’s not you know warmth emanating from behind the camera
warmth emanating from behind the camera
warmth emanating from behind the camera I look at you know each year that’s
I look at you know each year that’s
I look at you know each year that’s passed and all I’ve tried to do is
passed and all I’ve tried to do is
passed and all I’ve tried to do is continue to make work favorite thing to
continue to make work favorite thing to
continue to make work favorite thing to say my mom is treated like you’d like to
say my mom is treated like you’d like to
say my mom is treated like you’d like to be treated she always always says that
be treated she always always says that
be treated she always always says that the last film that I just I I had in
the last film that I just I I had in
the last film that I just I I had in theaters I distributed myself on 22
theaters I distributed myself on 22
theaters I distributed myself on 22 screens now it’s on 2,300 screens when
screens now it’s on 2,300 screens when
screens now it’s on 2,300 screens when you’re a creative person and you’re
you’re a creative person and you’re
you’re a creative person and you’re nurturing that within yourself you open
nurturing that within yourself you open
nurturing that within yourself you open yourself up to a lot of discovery that
yourself up to a lot of discovery that
yourself up to a lot of discovery that comes from unexpected places which is
comes from unexpected places which is
comes from unexpected places which is really wonderful she’s an American
really wonderful she’s an American
really wonderful she’s an American director screenwriter film marketer and
director screenwriter film marketer and
director screenwriter film marketer and film distributor at the 2012 Sundance
film distributor at the 2012 Sundance
film distributor at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival she won Best Director for
Film Festival she won Best Director for
Film Festival she won Best Director for her feature film middle of nowhere she’s
her feature film middle of nowhere she’s
her feature film middle of nowhere she’s the first black female director to be
the first black female director to be
the first black female director to be nominated for Golden Globe Award
nominated for Golden Globe Award
nominated for Golden Globe Award she’s Ava Duvernay and hear her top ten
she’s Ava Duvernay and hear her top ten
she’s Ava Duvernay and hear her top ten rules for success you know we have to
rules for success you know we have to
rules for success you know we have to work without permission especially as
work without permission especially as
work without permission especially as women in this industry who are we asking
women in this industry who are we asking
women in this industry who are we asking for permission to do what we want to do
for permission to do what we want to do
for permission to do what we want to do that should be eradicated you need to
that should be eradicated you need to
that should be eradicated you need to set a path and start walking and that is
set a path and start walking and that is
set a path and start walking and that is what I’ve tried to do and what I try to
what I’ve tried to do and what I try to
what I’ve tried to do and what I try to encourage folks to do walk with me let
encourage folks to do walk with me let
encourage folks to do walk with me let me walk with you let’s walk with each
me walk with you let’s walk with each
me walk with you let’s walk with each other
other
other I think you know so much of the industry
I think you know so much of the industry
I think you know so much of the industry is very permission-based and once you
is very permission-based and once you
is very permission-based and once you get out of your mind that you have to
get out of your mind that you have to
get out of your mind that you have to ask anyone to do what you want to do
ask anyone to do what you want to do
ask anyone to do what you want to do you’ll be better for it the intention of
you’ll be better for it the intention of
you’ll be better for it the intention of our attention it’s so big for everyone
our attention it’s so big for everyone
our attention it’s so big for everyone but especially for artists and creative
but especially for artists and creative
but especially for artists and creative types like us it’s the cause that
types like us it’s the cause that
types like us it’s the cause that produces the effect and the effect is
produces the effect and the effect is
produces the effect and the effect is our life so whether you’re conscious of
our life so whether you’re conscious of
our life so whether you’re conscious of it or not your intention is the cause
it or not your intention is the cause
it or not your intention is the cause that produces the effect which is your
that produces the effect which is your
that produces the effect which is your life so if you are not paying attention
life so if you are not paying attention
life so if you are not paying attention to your intention then your life just
to your intention then your life just
to your intention then your life just kind of is a bit of a hot mess that’s
kind of is a bit of a hot mess that’s
kind of is a bit of a hot mess that’s what I found each decision we make an
what I found each decision we make an
what I found each decision we make an action we take is borne out of
action we take is borne out of
action we take is borne out of tenshun so every thought person
tenshun so every thought person
tenshun so every thought person experience that we give our attention to
experience that we give our attention to
experience that we give our attention to is motivated by intention you’ve been in
is motivated by intention you’ve been in
is motivated by intention you’ve been in this room before
this room before
this room before as a deployer I think before you ya know
as a deployer I think before you ya know
as a deployer I think before you ya know I did work they work for Grandma a lot
I did work they work for Grandma a lot
I did work they work for Grandma a lot of work for Paramount when I have my
of work for Paramount when I have my
of work for Paramount when I have my agency might be our friend but you so
agency might be our friend but you so
agency might be our friend but you so you know what the business side of all
you know what the business side of all
you know what the business side of all of this is you know what the machinery
of this is you know what the machinery
of this is you know what the machinery of all of this is but you still you
of all of this is but you still you
of all of this is but you still you really do seem to have a be having a
really do seem to have a be having a
really do seem to have a be having a great time going through this experience
great time going through this experience
great time going through this experience at this point is that fair I think I
at this point is that fair I think I
at this point is that fair I think I think having done the publicity for so
think having done the publicity for so
think having done the publicity for so many years and been a part of that
many years and been a part of that
many years and been a part of that machine I really would always watch
machine I really would always watch
machine I really would always watch filmmakers and just wonder they were so
filmmakers and just wonder they were so
filmmakers and just wonder they were so entrenched in it in a way that was they
entrenched in it in a way that was they
entrenched in it in a way that was they were missing the joy of it I would see
were missing the joy of it I would see
were missing the joy of it I would see it you know when you’re standing off the
it you know when you’re standing off the
it you know when you’re standing off the side and you see someone just so bogged
side and you see someone just so bogged
side and you see someone just so bogged down in press and in numbers and in
down in press and in numbers and in
down in press and in numbers and in deals that they were missing the fact
deals that they were missing the fact
deals that they were missing the fact that they were living their dream you
that they were living their dream you
that they were living their dream you know truly like they were you know you
know truly like they were you know you
know truly like they were you know you get in the elevator with someone after
get in the elevator with someone after
get in the elevator with someone after an interview and they just bitching and
an interview and they just bitching and
an interview and they just bitching and moaning or a year you know that they’re
moaning or a year you know that they’re
moaning or a year you know that they’re either trying on beautiful dresses but
either trying on beautiful dresses but
either trying on beautiful dresses but they’re upset because it’s you know they
they’re upset because it’s you know they
they’re upset because it’s you know they don’t get the dresses they wanted or you
don’t get the dresses they wanted or you
don’t get the dresses they wanted or you know what I mean or they you know
know what I mean or they you know
know what I mean or they you know they’re sitting at award show but
they’re sitting at award show but
they’re sitting at award show but they’re not sitting where the other
they’re not sitting where the other
they’re not sitting where the other person was sitting I just always
person was sitting I just always
person was sitting I just always remembers like dude you’ve got to make a
remembers like dude you’ve got to make a
remembers like dude you’ve got to make a phone like you know what I mean
phone like you know what I mean
phone like you know what I mean everyone’s talking about it or you know
everyone’s talking about it or you know
everyone’s talking about it or you know or everyone’s not or whatever but you
or everyone’s not or whatever but you
or everyone’s not or whatever but you you made something you you did it so I
you made something you you did it so I
you made something you you did it so I just never want to be that way I really
just never want to be that way I really
just never want to be that way I really really don’t and I just don’t feel that
really don’t and I just don’t feel that
really don’t and I just don’t feel that way I just literally I’m just happy that
way I just literally I’m just happy that
way I just literally I’m just happy that I get to make films but one thing she
I get to make films but one thing she
I get to make films but one thing she said to me that really sunk in deep and
said to me that really sunk in deep and
said to me that really sunk in deep and really changed my life she said I was
really changed my life she said I was
really changed my life she said I was going through a challenge
going through a challenge
going through a challenge really tough challenge and she said this
really tough challenge and she said this
really tough challenge and she said this is not happening to you this is
is not happening to you this is
is not happening to you this is happening for you this bad thing that’s
happening for you this bad thing that’s
happening for you this bad thing that’s happening is not happening – it’s
happening is not happening – it’s
happening is not happening – it’s happening for you you’re not the victim
happening for you you’re not the victim
happening for you you’re not the victim of it you’re the beneficiary of it and
of it you’re the beneficiary of it and
of it you’re the beneficiary of it and to think about anything that’s going any
to think about anything that’s going any
to think about anything that’s going any struggle any issue any personal crisis
struggle any issue any personal crisis
struggle any issue any personal crisis from the point of view of this is in my
from the point of view of this is in my
from the point of view of this is in my path for a reason changes the dynamic of
path for a reason changes the dynamic of
path for a reason changes the dynamic of the way that you are in the situation
the way that you are in the situation
the way that you are in the situation and allows you to see there is going to
and allows you to see there is going to
and allows you to see there is going to be light there somewhere and also it’s
be light there somewhere and also it’s
be light there somewhere and also it’s not just everything’s going to work out
not just everything’s going to work out
not just everything’s going to work out you know what I mean it is challenge
you know what I mean it is challenge
you know what I mean it is challenge yourself to analyze this moment and
yourself to analyze this moment and
yourself to analyze this moment and figure out what is really going on that
figure out what is really going on that
figure out what is really going on that you know requires the stamina stamina
you know requires the stamina stamina
you know requires the stamina stamina and a dignity and a presence of mind
and a dignity and a presence of mind
and a dignity and a presence of mind that takes you out of the world with me
that takes you out of the world with me
that takes you out of the world with me moment and empowers you
every day I say to myself in some
every day I say to myself in some instance at some level or another this
instance at some level or another this
instance at some level or another this isn’t happening to me it’s happening for
isn’t happening to me it’s happening for
isn’t happening to me it’s happening for me and you know I think back to times
me and you know I think back to times
me and you know I think back to times when I was nursing my aunt I’m in the
when I was nursing my aunt I’m in the
when I was nursing my aunt I’m in the last days of her life you know with
last days of her life you know with
last days of her life you know with breast cancer and just being a caregiver
breast cancer and just being a caregiver
breast cancer and just being a caregiver and thinking at that time why is this
and thinking at that time why is this
and thinking at that time why is this happening to us you know to be able to
happening to us you know to be able to
happening to us you know to be able to look back at those hard times and
look back at those hard times and
look back at those hard times and reassess them from the point of view of
reassess them from the point of view of
reassess them from the point of view of this was an app link to us who was
this was an app link to us who was
this was an app link to us who was happening for us I see the beautiful
happening for us I see the beautiful
happening for us I see the beautiful moments we were able to share the things
moments we were able to share the things
moments we were able to share the things we were able to say to each other in her
we were able to say to each other in her
we were able to say to each other in her last days that we had never said before
last days that we had never said before
last days that we had never said before the gifts that we were able to to give
the gifts that we were able to to give
the gifts that we were able to to give each other the bonding through
each other the bonding through
each other the bonding through connection through reflection to embrace
connection through reflection to embrace
connection through reflection to embrace cancer and a long dying with as a
cancer and a long dying with as a
cancer and a long dying with as a blessing in that it wasn’t quick and we
blessing in that it wasn’t quick and we
blessing in that it wasn’t quick and we were able to say everything we wanted to
were able to say everything we wanted to
were able to say everything we wanted to say so be able to look at any instance
say so be able to look at any instance
say so be able to look at any instance from a place of Education and
from a place of Education and
from a place of Education and nourishment nourishment as opposed to a
nourishment nourishment as opposed to a
nourishment nourishment as opposed to a deficit is one of the things that Oprah
deficit is one of the things that Oprah
deficit is one of the things that Oprah taught me and gave me is a huge gift if
taught me and gave me is a huge gift if
taught me and gave me is a huge gift if your dream only includes you it’s too
your dream only includes you it’s too
your dream only includes you it’s too small if that dream is just about the
small if that dream is just about the
small if that dream is just about the thing you want to accomplish and you
thing you want to accomplish and you
thing you want to accomplish and you don’t even know why you want it I mean
don’t even know why you want it I mean
don’t even know why you want it I mean it’s it’s it’s too small it may take
it’s it’s it’s too small it may take
it’s it’s it’s too small it may take your attention but you’re not really
your attention but you’re not really
your attention but you’re not really winning you may achieve it but you’re
winning you may achieve it but you’re
winning you may achieve it but you’re not growing from it you’re just going
not growing from it you’re just going
not growing from it you’re just going from thing the thing it may look like
from thing the thing it may look like
from thing the thing it may look like success from the outside but if you
success from the outside but if you
success from the outside but if you don’t even truly know how you’re doing
don’t even truly know how you’re doing
don’t even truly know how you’re doing it then your cause and effect will be
it then your cause and effect will be
it then your cause and effect will be off and you’re not going to be fully
off and you’re not going to be fully
off and you’re not going to be fully truly living your dreams so I feel a
truly living your dreams so I feel a
truly living your dreams so I feel a little weird to tell you that when you
little weird to tell you that when you
little weird to tell you that when you win awards and the light is on you that
win awards and the light is on you that
win awards and the light is on you that it’s not going to be enough but that’s
it’s not going to be enough but that’s
it’s not going to be enough but that’s what I’m telling you and I wish someone
what I’m telling you and I wish someone
what I’m telling you and I wish someone would have told me that early if we
would have told me that early if we
would have told me that early if we limit our visions to those things
limit our visions to those things
limit our visions to those things outside of us to validate us we’re
outside of us to validate us we’re
outside of us to validate us we’re making an intentional error that might
making an intentional error that might
making an intentional error that might very well bring the outside thing you
very well bring the outside thing you
very well bring the outside thing you want but it’ll ring hollow in the end
want but it’ll ring hollow in the end
want but it’ll ring hollow in the end why because none of that really matters
why because none of that really matters
why because none of that really matters are you consensus-builder I try I try to
are you consensus-builder I try I try to
are you consensus-builder I try I try to be I mean I really I’ve been crew so I
be I mean I really I’ve been crew so I
be I mean I really I’ve been crew so I know how it feels to be on a set where
know how it feels to be on a set where
know how it feels to be on a set where there’s not you know warmth emanating
there’s not you know warmth emanating
there’s not you know warmth emanating from behind
from behind
from behind camera when you know crew is kind of you
camera when you know crew is kind of you
camera when you know crew is kind of you know just walk past and no one knows
know just walk past and no one knows
know just walk past and no one knows your name and no one really cares what
your name and no one really cares what
your name and no one really cares what you’re doing even though you’re working
you’re doing even though you’re working
you’re doing even though you’re working damn hard so that’s something that also
damn hard so that’s something that also
damn hard so that’s something that also I just I can’t abide like I just I can’t
I just I can’t abide like I just I can’t
I just I can’t abide like I just I can’t have it so for me I guess with some of
have it so for me I guess with some of
have it so for me I guess with some of you what you hear or how people might
you what you hear or how people might
you what you hear or how people might feel is just because I’m treating them
feel is just because I’m treating them
feel is just because I’m treating them like human beings you know to be
like human beings you know to be
like human beings you know to be treating people the way I wanted to be
treating people the way I wanted to be
treating people the way I wanted to be treated when I was working on these
treated when I was working on these
treated when I was working on these pictures and working my ass off on these
pictures and working my ass off on these
pictures and working my ass off on these pictures you know and you know and
pictures you know and you know and
pictures you know and you know and sometimes often feeling like you know I
sometimes often feeling like you know I
sometimes often feeling like you know I was invisible and so I just try to bear
was invisible and so I just try to bear
was invisible and so I just try to bear witness to everyone who’s doing anything
witness to everyone who’s doing anything
witness to everyone who’s doing anything on behalf of these movies I find it
on behalf of these movies I find it
on behalf of these movies I find it quite inspiring
quite inspiring
quite inspiring you were in film publicity originally
you were in film publicity originally
you were in film publicity originally and then at a certain point you decided
and then at a certain point you decided
and then at a certain point you decided that you wanted to direct can you tell
that you wanted to direct can you tell
that you wanted to direct can you tell us how you got from there to here well I
us how you got from there to here well I
us how you got from there to here well I was one of those ladies standing on the
was one of those ladies standing on the
was one of those ladies standing on the side you know and they they work hard
side you know and they they work hard
side you know and they they work hard and no one no one ever really gives them
and no one no one ever really gives them
and no one no one ever really gives them a shout-out I thank you all the
a shout-out I thank you all the
a shout-out I thank you all the publicist in the corner you know and as
publicist in the corner you know and as
publicist in the corner you know and as a person who loved film and wanted to
a person who loved film and wanted to
a person who loved film and wanted to make film you’re standing there
make film you’re standing there
make film you’re standing there supporting filmmakers telling their
supporting filmmakers telling their
supporting filmmakers telling their stories and it’s something that I love
stories and it’s something that I love
stories and it’s something that I love doing but for me there was always a
doing but for me there was always a
doing but for me there was always a little bit of I don’t not jealousy but
little bit of I don’t not jealousy but
little bit of I don’t not jealousy but just like wow that that’s great what
just like wow that that’s great what
just like wow that that’s great what they’re doing and so at the moment when
they’re doing and so at the moment when
they’re doing and so at the moment when I actually started to write and try to
I actually started to write and try to
I actually started to write and try to direct my own stuff I was still doing
direct my own stuff I was still doing
direct my own stuff I was still doing publicity for other people’s films I was
publicity for other people’s films I was
publicity for other people’s films I was trying to make my own films I was asking
trying to make my own films I was asking
trying to make my own films I was asking for permission
for permission
for permission pitching people trying to get contacts
pitching people trying to get contacts
pitching people trying to get contacts and Network and do all the things that
and Network and do all the things that
and Network and do all the things that don’t matter because the only thing that
don’t matter because the only thing that
don’t matter because the only thing that matters is your work and so when I
matters is your work and so when I
matters is your work and so when I finally realized that and started to
finally realized that and started to
finally realized that and started to make small things and try to move them
make small things and try to move them
make small things and try to move them around festivals and just you know just
around festivals and just you know just
around festivals and just you know just share my work you know the energy behind
share my work you know the energy behind
share my work you know the energy behind matte positive intention started a ball
matte positive intention started a ball
matte positive intention started a ball rolling and I’ve only been making films
rolling and I’ve only been making films
rolling and I’ve only been making films for five years and I only quit my job
for five years and I only quit my job
for five years and I only quit my job full-time three years ago because I was
full-time three years ago because I was
full-time three years ago because I was still holding on to publicity as a
still holding on to publicity as a
still holding on to publicity as a security blanket and so and so yeah you
security blanket and so and so yeah you
security blanket and so and so yeah you know I look at you know each year that’s
know I look at you know each year that’s
know I look at you know each year that’s passed and all I’ve tried to do is
passed and all I’ve tried to do is
passed and all I’ve tried to do is continue to make work whether I have the
continue to make work whether I have the
continue to make work whether I have the money to make a film a narrative a dock
money to make a film a narrative a dock
money to make a film a narrative a dock a commercial a TV show
a commercial a TV show
a commercial a TV show director the episode of scandal a
director the episode of scandal a
director the episode of scandal a documentary about Venus Williams
documentary about Venus Williams
documentary about Venus Williams whatever I cast or II I want to tell
whatever I cast or II I want to tell
whatever I cast or II I want to tell through whatever medium short medium TV
through whatever medium short medium TV
through whatever medium short medium TV medium commercial medium full-length
medium commercial medium full-length
medium commercial medium full-length documentary feature that’s something
documentary feature that’s something
documentary feature that’s something that I really learn from Spike Lee not
that I really learn from Spike Lee not
that I really learn from Spike Lee not Jones I’m sure Jones is nice I’ll talk
Jones I’m sure Jones is nice I’ll talk
Jones I’m sure Jones is nice I’ll talk to her later she was like Spike Jones is
to her later she was like Spike Jones is
to her later she was like Spike Jones is that no lady it’s ugly
that no lady it’s ugly
that no lady it’s ugly um but you know if you remember he did
um but you know if you remember he did
um but you know if you remember he did commercials with Jordan he’s done it’s
commercials with Jordan he’s done it’s
commercials with Jordan he’s done it’s me almost as many dots as he’s done
me almost as many dots as he’s done
me almost as many dots as he’s done there it is he’s made a film every year
there it is he’s made a film every year
there it is he’s made a film every year for the past 20 years when he’s really
for the past 20 years when he’s really
for the past 20 years when he’s really the blueprint of just not even a black
the blueprint of just not even a black
the blueprint of just not even a black filmmaker a filmmaker who’s just
filmmaker a filmmaker who’s just
filmmaker a filmmaker who’s just continued to make work and so that’s
continued to make work and so that’s
continued to make work and so that’s that’s how we’re here now
that’s how we’re here now
that’s how we’re here now favorite thing to say my mom is treated
favorite thing to say my mom is treated
favorite thing to say my mom is treated isn’t like you’d like to be treated she
isn’t like you’d like to be treated she
isn’t like you’d like to be treated she always always says that since I was a
always always says that since I was a
always always says that since I was a little girl so that was just something
little girl so that was just something
little girl so that was just something that you know I carry onto my sets with
that you know I carry onto my sets with
that you know I carry onto my sets with me carrying into my my corporate life
me carrying into my my corporate life
me carrying into my my corporate life sort of my personal life you know my
sort of my personal life you know my
sort of my personal life you know my love life you know in my life always
love life you know in my life always
love life you know in my life always trying to put the person that I’m
trying to put the person that I’m
trying to put the person that I’m relating to ahead of myself in a way
relating to ahead of myself in a way
relating to ahead of myself in a way that doesn’t diminish me in a way that
that doesn’t diminish me in a way that
that doesn’t diminish me in a way that actually enlarges me and so that’s a
actually enlarges me and so that’s a
actually enlarges me and so that’s a fine balance something that you have to
fine balance something that you have to
fine balance something that you have to learn because you can get taken
learn because you can get taken
learn because you can get taken advantage of but there’s a way to do it
advantage of but there’s a way to do it
advantage of but there’s a way to do it where you’re actually getting more than
where you’re actually getting more than
where you’re actually getting more than you’re giving when you allow another
you’re giving when you allow another
you’re giving when you allow another person to
person to
person to be first and so that’s that’s a direct
be first and so that’s that’s a direct
be first and so that’s that’s a direct lesson for my mom you have time to even
lesson for my mom you have time to even
lesson for my mom you have time to even think about like where you are in the
think about like where you are in the
think about like where you are in the award season at this point where or
award season at this point where or
award season at this point where or isn’t a good dress for the Golden Globes
isn’t a good dress for the Golden Globes
isn’t a good dress for the Golden Globes and it’s two days before that’s two days
and it’s two days before that’s two days
and it’s two days before that’s two days from now I don’t I don’t
from now I don’t I don’t
from now I don’t I don’t who’s gonna come to your house and give
who’s gonna come to your house and give
who’s gonna come to your house and give you a dress please we don’t know if
you a dress please we don’t know if
you a dress please we don’t know if it’ll work out okay it always works out
it’ll work out okay it always works out
it’ll work out okay it always works out it always works out but no I mean I
it always works out but no I mean I
it always works out but no I mean I think it’s only because it was a
think it’s only because it was a
think it’s only because it was a publicist before and for whatever
publicist before and for whatever
publicist before and for whatever thoughts I used to have about how much
thoughts I used to have about how much
thoughts I used to have about how much that was waste of time hmm I should be
that was waste of time hmm I should be
that was waste of time hmm I should be making films I start too late you know
making films I start too late you know
making films I start too late you know should have gone to NYU or Howard film
should have gone to NYU or Howard film
should have gone to NYU or Howard film school and learned all this and I should
school and learned all this and I should
school and learned all this and I should have you know realized what I wanted to
have you know realized what I wanted to
have you know realized what I wanted to do earlier I started making films in my
do earlier I started making films in my
do earlier I started making films in my early mid 30s I was a publicist you know
early mid 30s I was a publicist you know
early mid 30s I was a publicist you know what I mean the odds that that was ever
what I mean the odds that that was ever
what I mean the odds that that was ever going to work and I’d ever be sitting
going to work and I’d ever be sitting
going to work and I’d ever be sitting here with you that I’d be here on
here with you that I’d be here on
here with you that I’d be here on opening day today’s opening day the last
opening day today’s opening day the last
opening day today’s opening day the last film that I just I I had in theaters I
film that I just I I had in theaters I
film that I just I I had in theaters I distributed myself on 22 screens now
distributed myself on 22 screens now
distributed myself on 22 screens now it’s on 2,300 screens with Paramount
it’s on 2,300 screens with Paramount
it’s on 2,300 screens with Paramount Pictures who used to be my client like
Pictures who used to be my client like
Pictures who used to be my client like that that stuff only just puts me in a
that that stuff only just puts me in a
that that stuff only just puts me in a place of just being grateful that I got
place of just being grateful that I got
place of just being grateful that I got to make the phone and I continue to be
to make the phone and I continue to be
to make the phone and I continue to be able to make films so the dresses and
able to make films so the dresses and
able to make films so the dresses and the numbers and then all that stuff is
the numbers and then all that stuff is
the numbers and then all that stuff is just less important to me did just need
just less important to me did just need
just less important to me did just need to talk to creative people about the way
to talk to creative people about the way
to talk to creative people about the way their minds work sometimes it sounds
their minds work sometimes it sounds
their minds work sometimes it sounds kind of freaky when you’re a creative
kind of freaky when you’re a creative
kind of freaky when you’re a creative person and you’re nurturing that within
person and you’re nurturing that within
person and you’re nurturing that within yourself you open yourself up to a lot
yourself you open yourself up to a lot
yourself you open yourself up to a lot of discovery that comes from unexpected
of discovery that comes from unexpected
of discovery that comes from unexpected places which is really wonderful
I mean for me the writing process is
I mean for me the writing process is very much about when I have a really
very much about when I have a really
very much about when I have a really really good idea of what I’m writing I
really good idea of what I’m writing I
really good idea of what I’m writing I need to have notes a good outline
need to have notes a good outline
need to have notes a good outline thought it through have some dialogue
thought it through have some dialogue
thought it through have some dialogue like really be clear about what I’m
like really be clear about what I’m
like really be clear about what I’m doing and all that comes from being out
doing and all that comes from being out
doing and all that comes from being out in the world my films are low-budget
in the world my films are low-budget
in the world my films are low-budget independent films very specifically
independent films very specifically
independent films very specifically focused around communities of color and
focused around communities of color and
focused around communities of color and people of color and families of color
people of color and families of color
people of color and families of color and finding the universality and the
and finding the universality and the
and finding the universality and the specificity of those stories when you’re
specificity of those stories when you’re
specificity of those stories when you’re making a little bit of film with them
making a little bit of film with them
making a little bit of film with them for $50,000 or $200,000 there’s nowhere
for $50,000 or $200,000 there’s nowhere
for $50,000 or $200,000 there’s nowhere to hide it’s just it’s people usually
to hide it’s just it’s people usually
to hide it’s just it’s people usually people talking or not talking but you’re
people talking or not talking but you’re
people talking or not talking but you’re on these faces you’re on behavior and so
on these faces you’re on behavior and so
on these faces you’re on behavior and so it you really have to be able to
it you really have to be able to
it you really have to be able to understand that and so that comes from
understand that and so that comes from
understand that and so that comes from living being a black woman walking
living being a black woman walking
living being a black woman walking around it comes from observing people it
around it comes from observing people it
around it comes from observing people it comes from asking questions and so I
comes from asking questions and so I
comes from asking questions and so I find that you know I’ve got to get out
find that you know I’ve got to get out
find that you know I’ve got to get out you know and you got to be around people
you know and you got to be around people
you know and you got to be around people and in Los Angeles it’s such a sprawl
and in Los Angeles it’s such a sprawl
and in Los Angeles it’s such a sprawl such a huge place in downtown you could
such a huge place in downtown you could
such a huge place in downtown you could actually rub shoulders with people you
actually rub shoulders with people you
actually rub shoulders with people you can actually see faces that are not
can actually see faces that are not
can actually see faces that are not behind a car window you know what I mean
behind a car window you know what I mean
behind a car window you know what I mean the best thing is when you see people in
the best thing is when you see people in
the best thing is when you see people in you’re wondering what’s their story how
you’re wondering what’s their story how
you’re wondering what’s their story how do they fit together where they came
do they fit together where they came
do they fit together where they came from where are they going what’s their
from where are they going what’s their
from where are they going what’s their connection sometimes I’ll even ask and
connection sometimes I’ll even ask and
connection sometimes I’ll even ask and people want to talk you know and it’s
people want to talk you know and it’s
people want to talk you know and it’s it’s it may not be anything that’s
it’s it may not be anything that’s
it’s it may not be anything that’s directly related to the work that you’re
directly related to the work that you’re
directly related to the work that you’re writing that day but that energy from
writing that day but that energy from
writing that day but that energy from people that stuff is kind of like you
people that stuff is kind of like you
people that stuff is kind of like you know seeds on fertile ground that that
know seeds on fertile ground that that
know seeds on fertile ground that that helps with the writing for example one
helps with the writing for example one
helps with the writing for example one of these great places to kind of just
of these great places to kind of just
of these great places to kind of just find a good corner and spot call the
find a good corner and spot call the
find a good corner and spot call the last bookstore I mean it’s such a great
last bookstore I mean it’s such a great
last bookstore I mean it’s such a great space you know that density that I
space you know that density that I
space you know that density that I talked about it seemed in swith books
talked about it seemed in swith books
talked about it seemed in swith books and people and it’s not too busy but
and people and it’s not too busy but
and people and it’s not too busy but just enough the right flow of the odd
just enough the right flow of the odd
just enough the right flow of the odd character that comes in and out you know
character that comes in and out you know
character that comes in and out you know is part of what I prefer to have around
is part of what I prefer to have around
is part of what I prefer to have around me when I’m
me when I’m
me when I’m I’m outlining I’m playing with dialogue
I’m outlining I’m playing with dialogue
I’m outlining I’m playing with dialogue I’m figuring out what the beginning
I’m figuring out what the beginning
I’m figuring out what the beginning middle and end of the scene is you know
middle and end of the scene is you know
middle and end of the scene is you know is it moving the film forward really
is it moving the film forward really
is it moving the film forward really trying to pin down those those big
trying to pin down those those big
trying to pin down those those big questions I consider movie watching
questions I consider movie watching
questions I consider movie watching people watching because you’re watching
people watching because you’re watching
people watching because you’re watching people you’re watching behavior actors
people you’re watching behavior actors
people you’re watching behavior actors kind of mimic human behavior we’re here
kind of mimic human behavior we’re here
kind of mimic human behavior we’re here at the Downtown independent which is one
at the Downtown independent which is one
at the Downtown independent which is one of my favorite places to be inspired
of my favorite places to be inspired
of my favorite places to be inspired it’s a great one house movie theater
it’s a great one house movie theater
it’s a great one house movie theater downtown LA I really love it here I love
downtown LA I really love it here I love
downtown LA I really love it here I love coming down and watching other people’s
coming down and watching other people’s
coming down and watching other people’s films I live in coming here and watching
films I live in coming here and watching
films I live in coming here and watching my own films wherever I find myself
my own films wherever I find myself
my own films wherever I find myself these spaces that inspire you know they
these spaces that inspire you know they
these spaces that inspire you know they they it leads to the sparking of my
they it leads to the sparking of my
they it leads to the sparking of my imagination I definitely am recognizing
imagination I definitely am recognizing
imagination I definitely am recognizing when I’m being hit and inspired and and
when I’m being hit and inspired and and
when I’m being hit and inspired and and then making sure that I’m logging that
then making sure that I’m logging that
then making sure that I’m logging that or documenting that in some way I take
or documenting that in some way I take
or documenting that in some way I take pictures a lot and then yeah I take a
pictures a lot and then yeah I take a
pictures a lot and then yeah I take a lot of notes and I find that I used to
lot of notes and I find that I used to
lot of notes and I find that I used to just scribble on scraps of paper but now
just scribble on scraps of paper but now
just scribble on scraps of paper but now more and more I rely on the phone I’ll
more and more I rely on the phone I’ll
more and more I rely on the phone I’ll put in the subject header XO I don’t
put in the subject header XO I don’t
put in the subject header XO I don’t know that’s my code hugs and kisses to
know that’s my code hugs and kisses to
know that’s my code hugs and kisses to myself of inspiration it’s so corny and
myself of inspiration it’s so corny and
myself of inspiration it’s so corny and so whenever I’m ready to sit down or I
so whenever I’m ready to sit down or I
so whenever I’m ready to sit down or I need to pull in something that I’ve seen
need to pull in something that I’ve seen
need to pull in something that I’ve seen I just search XO and everything comes up
I just search XO and everything comes up
I just search XO and everything comes up whether it’s a picture or a thought a
whether it’s a picture or a thought a
whether it’s a picture or a thought a lot of my directors work is happening
lot of my directors work is happening
lot of my directors work is happening during the screenwriting process
during the screenwriting process
during the screenwriting process questions about character and being able
questions about character and being able
questions about character and being able to answer those questions for actors a
to answer those questions for actors a
to answer those questions for actors a lot of that stuff I’m answering for
lot of that stuff I’m answering for
lot of that stuff I’m answering for myself as I’m collecting my material to
myself as I’m collecting my material to
myself as I’m collecting my material to write I have a special exercise that I
write I have a special exercise that I
write I have a special exercise that I hold very close to my heart for when I
hold very close to my heart for when I
hold very close to my heart for when I am in a rough patch
am in a rough patch
am in a rough patch it’s called procrastination I will put
it’s called procrastination I will put
it’s called procrastination I will put it off until something else strikes me I
it off until something else strikes me I
it off until something else strikes me I wish I had a magic talisman to pull me
wish I had a magic talisman to pull me
wish I had a magic talisman to pull me back into the space I just don’t you
back into the space I just don’t you
back into the space I just don’t you know I gotta be in the right headspace
know I gotta be in the right headspace
know I gotta be in the right headspace or else you’re just forcing it and it
or else you’re just forcing it and it
or else you’re just forcing it and it just never comes out right I know there
just never comes out right I know there
just never comes out right I know there were times when you know I wasn’t
were times when you know I wasn’t
were times when you know I wasn’t working in a creative way that I felt
working in a creative way that I felt
working in a creative way that I felt very unhappy that I wasn’t living my
very unhappy that I wasn’t living my
very unhappy that I wasn’t living my best life and so for me to be creating
best life and so for me to be creating
best life and so for me to be creating to be around creative people something
to be around creative people something
to be around creative people something that’s really necessary for my own
that’s really necessary for my own
that’s really necessary for my own personal happiness and I’m just you know
personal happiness and I’m just you know
personal happiness and I’m just you know really fortunate that I get the
really fortunate that I get the
really fortunate that I get the opportunity to do it because everyone
opportunity to do it because everyone
opportunity to do it because everyone that needs that doesn’t get the
that needs that doesn’t get the
that needs that doesn’t get the opportunity to do it and I was one of
opportunity to do it and I was one of
opportunity to do it and I was one of those people for a long time so I’m
those people for a long time so I’m
those people for a long time so I’m happy to be in this place thank you so
happy to be in this place thank you so
happy to be in this place thank you so much for watching I made this video
much for watching I made this video
much for watching I made this video because Ella Franklin asked me to so it
because Ella Franklin asked me to so it
because Ella Franklin asked me to so it was a famous entrepreneur that you want
was a famous entrepreneur that you want
was a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile next leaving the comments
me to profile next leaving the comments
me to profile next leaving the comments below and I’ll see what I can do I’d
below and I’ll see what I can do I’d
below and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to know which of the top ten
also love to know which of the top ten
also love to know which of the top ten rules you heard today had the biggest
rules you heard today had the biggest
rules you heard today had the biggest impact on you leave it in the comments
impact on you leave it in the comments
impact on you leave it in the comments below I’ll join the discussion thank you
below I’ll join the discussion thank you
below I’ll join the discussion thank you so much for watching continue to believe
so much for watching continue to believe
so much for watching continue to believe and I’ll see you soon
”
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