When Terra Renee went to audition for an under-five role (a minor acting part with five lines or less) and saw about a thousand women who also fit the bill, she knew she had to do something. “I closed the door and I walked away,” she tells So Booking Cool. “I said I have to create jobs for women of color in this industry.”
She was young, zealous, but awakened … Read the rest
Sometimes advice is situational, other times it is lasting. Researching and creating while awaiting the next opportunity is a philosophy that award-winning independent filmmaker Nakia Stephens (Cream x Coffee; Suga Water; Nepotista) continues to impart. While this guidance is for those who aspire to tell stories for the screens, it can be applied to anyone with a dream. Recently, the Damn Write Originals founder spoke with … Read the rest
It is only right that we make a post about American Fiction, the new award-winning upcoming film written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Not only are we enthused because of the nature of the story, but also because of the cast, as well as its relatable career-based topic.
This film is based on the award-winning book Erasure by Percival Everett, which released in 2001. This is a story … Read the rest
There are levels to the craft, something fitness mogul and songwriter-turned filmmaker Barry Jay and Emmy-winning television and film professional Mike Manning understand well. The two recently appeared on So Booking Cool to promote their new multi-award-winning film The Way Out, which is now available on digital, demand, and DVD.
With The Way Out being his third film, Jay decided to take a bit of a different approach. “People … Read the rest
Sometimes actors will seek books for craft, sometimes they will seek it for perseverance. Sheena Faust, star of the feel-good Another Christmas (Stacie Davis Films) and creator of the upcoming series WAISS (Why Am I Still Single?) can relate. “I really enjoy personal development books,” she tells SBC. “I think that this craft can be difficult at times. It is a journey. Actors, whenever we start … Read the rest
What would you do if shortly after losing your job you receive an offer to hack into a computer for $5 million? This concept is explored in the new British heist film The Pay Day (Vertical Entertainment, November 11). The post-pandemic story was developed and written by award-winning actors Sam Benjamin and Kyla Frye, who co-star in the movie as Jennifer and George.
“It’s a working class tale about characters … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
Many realize they have a talent or skill when someone says so. But as we know, being good at something does not prevent rejection. Actor David Banks (who appears in the new season of the hit Netflix series Never Have I Ever) says in the beginning of his career, there was not much encouragement. “I was hearing more of the ‘What are you thinking? What are you doing? You’re … Read the rest
How can a writer be unique on the page when emulating another writer? Multi-hyphenate and doctor, Omar Mora, explains how this is possible. He uses his new book Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru (Moras Productions; illustrated by Miguel Guzman and Edwin Estrada), which launched at this past 2022 Comic Con, as an example. “Ancient Explorers is inspired by stories like Indiana Jones, The Goonies… Read the rest
This past June marks ten years since the passing of the legendary Nora Ephron, whose pen game revolutionized journalism, books, and film. She is the woman behind the classic romantic comedies When Harry Met Sally (1989), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Bewitched (2005), and Julia & Julia (2009). For the first time, Ephron’s comprehensive life story is told by another woman who is making her mark: … Read the rest
