SISTAS Are Doin’ It For Themselves Panels + Short Film Showcase
5.20.23
I attended a panel and short film screening at the Director’s Guild of America. “SISTAS Are Doin’ It For Themselves” began thirty years ago as a call to the entertainment industry to acknowledge and highlight outstanding Black women directors and Black and diverse emerging talent. For the 30th year celebration, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center added panels, speakers and discussion.
As I sat in the DGA, I had a moment of gratitude. And I took notes on much of what was said.
“Careers in Hollywood” Panel
Carron Brown said “you have the right to put your ladder up against the right wall.” She had always been a good girl and done the “right” things. She got the good grades, graduated from Georgetown, and was in the entry level role at CAA when she had an epiphany: her coworkers were independently wealthy, so their $12 an hour checks was the spending money they used to get drinks and appetizers with after school. She was getting her MBA while at CAA, and frustrated that they were not seeing her or giving her the opportunities she deserved.
In that time, she accepted that she had the right to put her ladder against the right tree. “So really think about what does a win in 5 or 10 years look like for you. And be honest. Because when you don’t you still get wins but it’s ultimately not what you want and people will be saying you should be more grateful.” Carron is now at Warner Brothers working in Corporate Marketing and Brand Experiences.
“Director’s on Directing” Panel
Deborah Pratt was so impressive! She co-created Quantum Leap, the original that came out in 1989. Creating a show in the late 80s and early 90s was almost unheard of for a black women. For her, creating was about IP. She encouraged us to create content that “had legs to it.” She said create work that could be TV, film, novels and integrated marketing. Quantum Leap is enjoying a reboot, this is something that she clearly takes herself.
Deborah also shared about the obstacles of being pigeonholed as only an actress and “TV cash cow” in the 90s. Her reps were not putting her in places to direct as she knew she could do because of her race and gender. Following a frustrating meeting where she was told the idea is great but no one will allow a black woman to direct, she was at the Peninsula having a drink and a black woman sat next to her and asked her what she did. She said inside of her she heard “own in now” and she replied “I’m a director.” That woman was looking for a director to replace one they just lost. “How soon can you get it together?” They spoke on Friday and Deborah was hired on Sunday. She didn’t have time to be afraid. That lead Deborah to her first major directing gig for BBC Masterpiece Theater! Talk about recognizing and owning your moment!
Neema Barnette spoke about being a child who always loved to write, she liked camera angles and though she did not have her first camera until she was an adult, but would pull images out of magazines. All were hints that she’d be a great director. Then when she was in LA and began taking acting classes, she noticed how actors who had direction from a director before got a completely different critique. And that is what lead her into directing her first feature Jezebel, which after getting rejected from SXSW the first year, she re-edited and resubmitted and it got in. After that her entire career opened up.
Princess Monique was my connect to the event. She is Founder of Reel Black Unicorns, a mentoring program for African American female directors (tagline: “African American female directors do exist!”).
She spoke about how she had been shadowing people for years, but was doing it wrong. She discovered during being in the ABC Director’s Program that when shadowing a director, you should be doing everything that they are doing so if for any reason they cannot be there or complete, you step in. Shadowing is being so prepared and aware that you could do that role if they were unable to do it. She also spoke about “gentle stalking” those she wanted to shadow or work with and how that led to openings in her career.
One person in audience asked: What was it like to transition from doing smaller films to doing a bigger budget one. How did you know you were ready? And Deborah Platt said: you are ready when you say “I can do this.”
Naeema also said you’d be surprised how many are not on time and are just not prepared for their moment. Set yourself apart as a guest star is to be on time, be prepared and do great work.
Dr. Cindy Trimm says “put yourself where you see yourself.” Spending the day at the DGA felt significant. I realize how many women creators have paved a way for this wave of stories by all shades and hues. Learning about the history of how hard it was in the past also gave context to me in how I should make the most of every opportunity. I look forward to one of my short films premiering at the next SISTAS film festival.
Thanks to all the coordinators for curating such an educational event!