When did you realised you wanted to be a Filmmaker?

Throughout my childhood (i think about 5 or 6 years old), I fell in awe of storytelling and the beauty of diversity. Fast forward to now that passion has now being expressed within my filmmaking and its 

Do you remember your first time at the Movies?

I don't remember my first movie at the cinema but I was always watching VHS tapes (when we had no remotes nor could we remember where we left off) Some of the movies in black and white; old school classics like Laurel and Hardy and BedKnobs and Broomsticks 

If you should change country where would you like to work?

Oooooo, that's a good one. I don't know how to choose ahaha . But if I could pick one country, I would  say choose either Dubai (either to work or visit) or maybe Australia (as long as there's not many insects or spiders, I can work with that)

Two films that have marked your life for better or for worse…

I've never been a big fan of horror movie (I always say to people, everyone watching is paying for their own medical bills, as I'm quite an expressive and naturally jumpy person, so you may have a few heart attacks) So my first horror movie was Room 1408 with Samuel L Jackson. I was always screaming and jumping every few seconds (no joke) so no one could enjoy the movie. A movie marked my life for the better? Ooooooo there's so many. To name a few Treasure Planet(animation, I love SciFi; awaken my kid like spirit when it debuted) She Did That! (Documentary directed by Renae Bluitt; reminding and revolutionizing the importance of women entrepreneurs. As well a black woman entrepreneur myself reminding our importance and value even when we get mocked and ridiculed globally) 

What do you think about Acting/ filmmaking schools?

I think Acting/filmmaking schools are essential and i'm grateful for them(that's how I was able to grow more in confidence, find and solidify my own voice ). They give emerging professionals and creatives steward their crafts on a personal level. But this comes as an extent and can limit you to a point. When the basic foundation of finding who you are (the real YOU, which we all have a tendency to want to hide) that is the foundation laid firmly for you to change and adapt accordingly for you to grow and stabilize your mark within the industry . This allows you to pinpoint where your passion is (your passion) , how you filter your ever-changing environment (your live) and the lens you see the world in. Embrace that lens of how you see and don't shy away from that because you may be speaking to a blind spot for someone to allow them and yourself to grow even more to you calling and destiny God has ordained for you 

Have you ever hated your ambition?

OMD YES! (OMD means Oh My Days, same meaning as OMG ahaha) because the one thing I still struggle with is the right balance. That balance to rest and recover (without feeling guilty as its quite necessary) before continuing to work on the next project. Kinda makes me quite stubborn in this area. Because all I want to do is create but I can't create something meaningful on an empty well space (empty heart with no drive nor passion)

Francois Truffaut used to think that "Film Lovers are sick people”… was he right?

You know I've never heard that before but I love the concept. In a way we are all sick and ill in an area of our hearts. Sometimes we choose to ignore that and wonder why the symptoms are there, as well as getting worse. Films are an gracious and creative example of expose and illuminating our symptoms of our hearts and how we individually guard them under God and walk into all who God has created us to be.

Close your eyes…if I say “Cinema” what do you see?

I see the big red curtains revealing all that we (the audience) have been waiting a long time for. With all the food, drinks and treats spread out like a personal buffet 

I hear a mixture of noise, lots of people laughing, talking, planning….etc. First time experiences on seeing something brand new that was never noticed before 

Who’s the Director\Actor\Writer that taught you the most?

I have pretty much been a sponge in regard to learning. My mother always taught me you can learn from all ages (younger and older than yourself) . It depends on what you choose to take; digest from what has been spoken and filter it in seeking out its truth behind. Now returning back to the question, (going around the houses) I don't I can just pin point  who taught me the most. A few of my friends;  (fellow creatives and are currently working within the industry) have been the most influential to me and have taught me the most. Through the ups and downs of live, they have kept me grounded and kept me accountable with my internal blind spot  . 

About your job, tell us your biggest dream and your worst nightmare…

Ooooooo. This question is like a bittersweet one. Because my dream is also a nightmare for me simultaneously. My dream is to be able to redeem back REAL in Reality TV and allowing other creatives to do the same,within their respectable fields of entertainment. No exaggeration or drama. Just authentic, raw and respectful conversations that are needed to be talked about more often. The nightmare portion of it not just the audience aspect, but the culture clash of perfectionism and filters are making it difficult to continue  

How important is it to have a good Cinematographic Culture?

To have a solid foundation on cinematography is key, especially within a fast paced environment when time  is money. But being able to grow even further will allow the production to run smoothly; as well you are becoming adaptable when difficulties arise. The industry is always evolving quickly (sometimes I can't keep up) so as we work, we learn and vice versa. Also keep learning from each other and everyone. (Veterans, emerging professionals alike) so our end vision for the product is served out the best possible work we can 

What would you like to improve as a Filmmaker?

As we just spoke on it previously, cinematography and equipment setting (like creating templates on software and hardware) I only have some basic knowledge around this topic and i'm always wanting to learn more (like a sponge, always written notes to look back on later) with different opportunities that comes my way and will become more easier with the practices I have.

A big producer give you the chance to direct\to play (in) the remake of one of your favorite black and white Movie (if you have one)… what film do you choose?

Ahahaha. I love that. I grew up on Laurel and Hardy; as well as Dad's Army (A group of soldiers recruiting and preparing for WW2, kind of slapstick comedy) I think I would love to remake one of those as a movie

Film Industry it’s a tough place and sometimes is normal to feel lost and discouraged… who’s the person that keeps you motivated?

Ironically this was me a few days ago. I won't be able to pinpoint just one person. As there my prayer group (brothers and sisters in Christ) always providing me with encouragement and leading me back to what God has told me and keep me going; My mum, (always calls everydays no matter what, like clockwork); karaoke family (always there to make me laugh and remind me that life is worth living).  There are so many to mention but within this season, these guys and others as well are my ohana and have been pushing me in my faith (even within those times when the tunnel was too dark to see the end of it) and for that I am truly blessed to have them in my life 

Alfred Hitchcock said: "To make a good film you need 3 things: The script, the script and the script".  Do you agree with him?

I mean, there's an importance but it all goes down to its interpretation and its reception. The script can be a masterpiece with all the techniques (plot twist, cliff hangers, build…etc) but its within adaptation where we can decipher the true intention of the film. For example you can take a Shakespearean play, have someone translate it and give it to 5 different directors/production teams and I can guarantee you it would all be shown in ways you never would have thought of. That's the freedom and beauty of diversity. It's OK to not agree and to not understand it all but being appreciative of their hard work, passion and dedication goes a long way.

What’s your most ambitious project for the future?

My most ambitious project would be to write or help produce a feature film. There's a few script ideas that I have (taken a break from it, but will return soon to it) that would a few years down the lines and collaborate with other emerging professionals and creatives as a home grown community project 

Do you think that sadness or at least melancholy let be more creative?

Ok, i'm going to be honest (as this will be a controversial opinion) , I think this emotion is one of that we learn sometimes the most important life lessons from, but its highly over-played and overrated when it become creativity (let's be real, it's where most of money is created and produced from, well that and sex but that's a whole other topic). There are other emotions we forget (I do this a lot, I'm guilty of this), we can only experience by living our lives outside; waiting for us to learn from and we can be creative from. I remember flicking through social media (as you do)  watching an interview with Lauryn Hill and this pressure she had from the entertainment industry to produce another album and she talked about the importance of living and incubating from those experiences, which influences you in producing your most inspiring; influential work from being present and unapologetic with your emotions and its exposure in a healthy and healing way. 

What do you wish to yourself as a Filmmaker?

As a Filmmaker, I would love to collaborate more with home grown artists within the creative community; grow alongside them and myself too.

One day(alongside other visionaries)I would love to create more safe spaces for other creatives to express and have the support they need. Passing down stories and wisdom to pass the torch down, for the next creative pioneers to have a foundation to build from as a new starting blocks for future generations to thrive and blossom from.