From books and journalism to filmmaking, Stacie Davis Hamilton has been a storyteller for many years. The likes of Mildred D. Taylor (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry), Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun), and Barbara Park (Junie B. Jones) were early inspirations, especially the latter who she credits for introducing her to writing. A pivotal moment in her journey came during her freshman year at Claflin University.
She had to write an essay about a significant person from her community. South Carolina’s very own: Taft M. Watson, the state’s legendary basketball coach and leader to many, was her choice. That essay turned into her book (The House That Taft Built) in which she collaborated with Watson, and later spawned her acclaimed documentary More Than a Coach: The Taft Watson Story. Now, she makes movies and television shows through her production company Stacie Davis Films, which includes the new romance Another Christmas, now streaming on Roku.
“I’m learning as I go,” the former television news reporter tells SBC. “I did not go to film school. I went to Claflin University. I have a B.A. in Mass Communications, so if you say ‘Well, you gotta go to film school to be a director,’ if that’s your route, then you take your route. I have to take the route that’s for me…I trickled down this road called filmmaking and I’m just making it do what it do.”
Another Christmas is about an elementary school teacher, Kelly Brooks (Sheena Faust, Why Am I Still Single?), who gave up on love amid the holiday season until she is reunited with her childhood friend Andrew (Malik Brazile, YouTuber LEEK and Insecure), a professional baseball player, who plans to win her heart. The movie also features actor and singer Ryan Toby (Sister Act 2 and 1/3 of the Grammy-nominated hitmaker City High). Hamilton says the film is different from Christmas in Carolina, the previous holiday movie she wrote. Her emergence as a filmmaker and entrepreneurship has been recognized by Exeleon, a magazine that highlights leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations.
Check out our conversation to learn more about Hamilton including why she loves romance and holiday films and what prompted her first screenplay; more about Another Christmas; Christmas in Carolina and what it was like working with Kellie Shanygne and Darius McCrary of Family Matters; whether she’d write a children’s book, her thoughts on casting up-and-coming talent versus well-known talent, the difference she’s noticed in writing screenplays versus manuscripts, whether she can write with music playing, her thoughts on leadership, and more. For more information, visit Hamilton’s website.