Laquanda, the visionary behind ElleQ Casting, shares her tale of transformation from going back to school to founding her own casting company. Her journey is peppered with challenges, like juggling waiting tables with casting directing, yet she emerges with invaluable insights on professional development and the development of self.
Her narrative is a testament to the infectious joy found in the craft of filmmaking and the pursuit of happiness, even when roadblocks and struggles come.
As she recounts the importance self-care and self-validation while pursuing your dreams, Laquanda's story is an inspiration for anyone seeking fulfillment, encouraging listeners to anchor themselves in what truly matters amidst the ever-shifting tides of life and career.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey everybody, welcome back to I Am Me podcast.
Today I am here with LaquandaPlant.
She is a casting director localto Atlanta.
She founded LQ Casting in 2009and has been working, I think,
primarily as a casting directorsince then.
I did some stalking online tosee what I could find out.
Done we are, yeah, but we'llalso find out a lot from you
(00:23):
about your journey and what youdo and how maybe other people
can get into it.
So, hi, how?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
today.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
I'm great, thank you.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, I'm so happy to be hereon this lovely Sunday afternoon
which the sun will come out.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
But you know, we had so much rain and I'm so ready
for the sunshine.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Oh, my God, don't you feel like you live in Seattle?
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, sometimes, which I hate.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
But you know what I heard yesterday which I was like
really that we get more rain,like it seems like, when you
think of Seattle, that they getmore rain, but really we get
more rain than they do.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
That's really bizarre because I feel like I feel like
that's the place when I'm likeI wouldn't want to live there
because of the rain.
That's what I say.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I don't know how true that is, but that's what
someone told me yesterday and Iwas like that's really
interesting.
I have to look into that,because if you think about it,
like, we do get a lot of rain,but when we get rain it's like
shh, and then it's like so muchflood rain it's not like normal
rain, it's just like, yeah, it'sdownpour.
Exactly, exactly, all right.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So my first question I always jump off and I'm like
how did you get to where you arenow?
You're a casting director,primarily, and then you also do
directing, and then I alsolooked at your credits and you
have a laundry list of creditsfrom production secretary.
Some PA work in the beginningand so, which is just how this
(01:47):
industry works, I would say.
So what?
Is your story.
How did you, how did this comeabout for you?
Was this something you'realways interested in, or was
this something that shifted inlife for you?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
No, I actually always kind of I don't want to say
always, but you know like askids we go through career like I
want to be a lawyer.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
I want to be this.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And mine went from accountant lawyer and then, at
17, I wanted to be a filmmaker.
So I've wanted to be afilmmaker since I was 17 years
old and I wanted to go.
According to my stepdad may herest in peace he said I said
because I originally I'm fromHartford, connecticut, and he
said that I said at 12 years oldthat I wanted to live in
(02:28):
Atlanta.
I can only imagine me sayingthat, because my mom is
originally from Alabama, from asmall town called Atmore, and I
spent a lot of time there, soI've always considered myself a
Southern Yankee and so, I think,not wanting to live in Alabama.
We used to drive throughAtlanta and maybe that was like
(02:49):
the closest city I knew.
I went to live in a city but Ididn't want to live in New York,
so I think I just chose Atlanta.
But I went to college here andI majored in mass media, film
and video production and laterdigital filmmaking, and I always
wanted to direct.
But at the time when I was inschool this was early 2000s
(03:09):
Atlanta wasn't the film city.
It is now.
It was more news.
So when we were taking classeswe was learning like multi-cam,
we was visiting news stationsand that was all cool Nothing
against news but that wasn'twhat I wanted to do and I always
was always the only female inclass as well, which, whatever.
That didn't bother me, but Ididn't really feel like I had a
(03:30):
voice and it was also sotechnical.
I kind of lost interest in it.
And then, randomly, for editingclass, we had to create a short
film and I ended up casting itand I had auditions and I was
like, wow, what is this?
Let me, let me figure this out.
Unfortunately, it was reallyhard for me to get like an
internship.
(03:50):
Like I kept emailing people andnobody would give me a chance.
So I started interning at atalent agency, so I was on the
other end of it and then I'm intheir files, I'm emailing the
people, like, give me a chance.
And I ended up from thatgetting an internship with a
local casting director, whichI'm not going to name, but from
there I started LQ casting in2009.
(04:13):
And from that I startedproducing around 2012.
And then fast forward to 2016,.
I want to say I went back toschool because I had got my
associates but I had neverfinished.
So I went back to get mybachelor's in digital filmmaking
and from there.
I had to direct a film tograduate and that's how I
(04:36):
started directing.
But I feel like it was kind oflike the universe, like back in
2000,.
I was like 14, 15.
I did extras casting on Selma.
I met a director and I got thechance to meet Eva DuVernay and
I was very inspired by her.
But not too long after that, Iwent to a screening for the film
(04:56):
called Mudbound and I met thedirector.
Her name was Dee Reese and shejust literally let me pick her
brain answer all these questions.
So these are women directors,right.
And then my last year, because Igraduated in 2018, I started PA
.
That's when I started to PA,because I was yes, I was casting
since 2009,.
But I was doing a lot of indiesand so I wanted to get my foot
(05:18):
in the door of studio andnetwork.
I'm like, how can I do that?
Let me start over as a PA andwhat's interesting about that?
And also a little tip like Ithink I I think I kind of
prevented myself from doing thatbecause years ago I had, first
thing, you should come and be aPA, and I'm like I'm a casting
(05:38):
director.
You know, in my mind I alreadyhave this, this vision for
myself and I think it preventedme from getting opportunities.
Because in my mind I'm likethis is what I wanted to do, but
I wasn't where I wanted to beper se and so I started as an
office PA on this show calledGreenleaf, which came on the O
network, and then the showcalled Step Up Highwater, which
(06:00):
was on YouTube red.
And being on Step Up literallyfrom beginning to end, seeing 10
different directors come in anddirect different episodes, and
I was like and seeing them,different styles, like no
director is the same, and thatkind of lit a fire in me where I
was afraid to be a directorbecause I didn't like the
(06:23):
technical aspect of it.
That always was in my mind,like I'm not really technical, I
don't really know all thelenses and the I mean I'm past
cinematography but it justwasn't my thing and so I didn't
think I could be a directorbecause of that.
Because I was like, well, Ireally don't know that much, but
then working on Step Up,learning and seeing the
different styles there's so manydirectors that are just
(06:45):
creative.
You have directors that come inthat wants the storyboard.
You have directors that come inthat don't storyboard.
You have the rest that come inthat really are technical, and
then you have some that are not.
And then learning that, seeingthat there are different styles
of directing and different typesof directors, I was like, okay,
let me light this fire back inme and I directed a short film
for my senior project calledValley Morgan TV Qualified.
(07:09):
And not only did I get an A onthat project, I was like best in
show and my portfolio class andwent on to you know, go into
some film festivals.
And I really only did that filmto graduate.
And then people were like, oh,you need to put this in
festivals.
Oh, you didn't do this withthis, are you going to make this
a show?
And I'm like it's all kind oforganically happened.
(07:34):
But I say organically, but Ireally it was something that was
literally something I wanted todo since I was 17, but was
afraid to do it.
So I kind of fell into casting,which to me was okay because it
still was a love for film and Ihave such a love for the art of
auditioning and the actingprocess.
Like even before I became acasting director I was auditing
(07:57):
classes.
You know, I really took itseriously.
I know a lot of people just say, hey, I wanna do this now.
This is who I am, me.
I need to do the work cause Ijust wanna be really comfortable
with saying it took me a whileto call myself a casting
director.
But I did audit classes, I tookworkshops.
Any LA casting director thatcame into Atlanta, I went to
(08:18):
their panels and workshops andyou know, just really kind of I
really like to know what I'mdoing, even producing.
I just fell into that because Ireally wanted to not just cast
and everything I did I wanted itto be good.
So I just naturally just didmore things and that's how I
started producing.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I think it's great to hear that you struggled to call
yourself a casting director,because I think myself included
a lot of a struggle on theacting side to call ourselves an
actor.
I'm not really an actor untilI've booked a network show or
you know.
It doesn't matter how manyyears of work you've put into it
until you do something thatgives you that stamp of being
(09:01):
able to call yourself that.
So I think that's a great pointand something awesome for other
people to recognize that that'salso happening on the other side
of the camera with castingdirectors and directors and this
industry can definitely makeyou feel like an imposter a lot
of the time, and I think a lotof it is just trusting your gut,
trusting the little universalGodwinks whatever you want to
(09:23):
call them where you're like.
Okay, I got a littleencouragement that I can keep
going with this, and I thinkit's cool too.
I have a question Was it hardfor you because you really
pivoted going back to PA?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
work.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
And I hear that and I , because I've done PA work too
and it's very hard and it canfeel like a step down I would
say Do you feel like, did thatlike humble you or did you feel
like it was hard to say?
You know what?
I need to do some PA work,because on the indie side you're
doing pretty well as a castingdirector, but you want to get
(09:59):
over into that network side.
So how was that transition orthat for you?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
That's a great question, because all of that.
First of all, we want to rewindback to something you had said
with regards to the stamp ofapproval.
If you notice, it's really kindof like self validation within
ourselves.
No one else is looking at uslike that.
You know.
People are just like, oh,you're doing this, you're doing
that, and it was me that wassaying, oh, I'm not good enough.
So, even with actors out there,you could be acting in the
(10:30):
school play.
Then you're an actor.
But it's also good to want tostrive to be better.
So, just finding that healthybalance of saying, yes, I'm an
actor, but I'm consistentlyworking on my craft to be a
better actor, to be a biggeractor, and to answer your
question, yes, it was a hardtransition.
Only because in my mind and inmy ego space, I'm like do these
(10:54):
people know who?
I am Right, you know, but Istill.
I wanted the opportunity and Iwanted to learn, and I think
that was more so the producer inme, because I started as a PA.
But when I was a PA, I walkedaround, I talked to everyone,
from accounting to construction.
I was asking everyone so whatis it that you do?
(11:14):
You know, Gryff, what is itthat you do?
I really wanted to know, andI've been an office PA and
worked my way up in the office.
I was a production secretary onBlack Lightning, I was
assistant production coordinatoron a few shows and now I'm a
production coordinator.
But I've also worked in Crafty.
You know what I'm saying.
I worked in costumes for as acostume coordinator for a couple
(11:35):
of weeks on the show.
So I just really wanted to justlearn as much as I can.
I talked to the transpo captainand by what they do, you know,
when I work on the studioproducts, I'm walking around the
set to see how things are beingbuilt or seeing how these sets
we watch are really built on astage.
I just really love filmmaking.
(11:57):
So at first, yes, as an officePA, it was challenging because
in my mind I'm like come on.
But I also had people saying tome like, why are you going back
to school?
You're already in the industry,you know.
But I feel like on your ownjourney, only you can know where
(12:17):
you want to be and onlywhatever that looks like for you
.
So now, yes, I'm a castingdirector who's actively working.
Yes, I'm a producer in theproducers guild, but I'm also a
production coordinator and so tome that opens doors for me to
work, because before, when I wasjust a casting director, I was
still waiting tables because Ihad to pay bills and I have two
(12:41):
sons who were small at the time.
So, but now I can work allthese multiple jobs in the
industry I want to be in, and alot of people didn't know that,
Like I literally probably quitserving maybe seven years ago,
but I was casting since 2009,which is almost 15 years.
So half of that time I'mcasting movies, but then I'm
(13:02):
going to Buckhead to work at arestaurant.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Yeah me, I was just talking to an acting friend of
mine about that, where peopledon't realize.
I had a friend of mine whobooked a guest star spot on
found and I was and she's awaitress and it's like she had
that spot and she had that part,but she's and she's like on
network television, like you cango and watch her but then she's
(13:25):
going after she's going anddoing her film and she's going
back to her job and I just don'tthink people realize that that
it's not a lot of educationhappened with that to people who
aren't in the industry aroundthe like.
after strike the sag strike.
I think they're like, why isthat such a big deal?
And it's not about just the 1%up here.
I think there's so many otherworking parts.
(13:47):
But I think the point you madeabout going around and just
being a sponge and absorbing Ithink that just works with
anything, if you really because,one, people like to be cared
about and people who arepassionate about this want to
share that with you.
So going around from departmentdepartment and like showing
interest in what someone else isdoing One cause you're
(14:07):
genuinely interested.
But two, that also is like cool, she's a hard worker but also I
get to share what I love to doand what I contribute to this
project with her, and I don'tthink everybody gets that
opportunity.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Right, and then also, in addition to that, like, this
is an industry where it's whoyou know first and what you know
second.
So my job opportunities came, Ithink after I finished step up,
I was referred to jobs fromsomeone who worked in accounting
, just by corresponding with her.
So you just never know, becausethey'll be looking for somebody
(14:43):
and they're like, oh, I know agreat person who could do this.
You know, and I did travel for alittle bit on some really cool
shows and I got those jobsbecause I was friends with the
travel coordinator on my show,you know, and if she wasn't
available, oh, I know someonewho would be a great person for
this.
So you know, you just neverknow.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Connections too, because the networking aspect
really can stress me out, eventhough I'm outgoing and
something like that.
Oh, great networking.
Yeah, like me and LaQuanda metat an agent, had a holiday,
christmas party, and she came toit and then I ended up talking
to her for like 45 minutes and Ialso had a moment I was like I
was just talking to you and Iwas fine, but then I had a
moment where I was like, okay,this is a casting director.
(15:25):
You've like talked this poorwoman's ear off, like disengage,
but I think that's how weconnected though.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Because I think we both was like we don't like to
network and talk and we juststarted talking because I will
stand in the same place.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Right, Well, I hate too.
I'm a pretty genuine person andI don't like feeling like, oh,
there's a casting director here,there's a directing here.
It's like, okay, go kiss theirass.
And I'm like one decent peopledon't enjoy that.
I would say anybody who'snormal is like I hate it.
Yeah, it's like I don't want youto come and kiss my ass, but so
there's like that component ofit and I don't like it.
(16:00):
It feels awkward and weird.
So I'm like, hey, if I can comeand like have a conversation
with you, I'd much rather dothat.
And I don't like the idea ofsomeone like hey, go talk to
that person, like that's gonnahelp you.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
So I'd rather it be organic Because, if you notice,
I didn't have on a name tag.
I don't like to wear name tagswhen I go because I wanna see
who's going to just come up andbe polite and just speak to me,
or who's speaking to me, causethey see big casting director on
my name tag.
So I don't really like to wearthem and I've always been like
that.
I know it's weird, but I wouldgo to network events and I would
(16:34):
purposely not wear a name tag,because if I did, then I'm
surrounded by people who wouldnormally just walk right by me,
right?
Speaker 1 (16:42):
I think it's nice to when you actually can have a
genuine conversation withwhoever is on the other side of
the lens, because it's just ittakes that stress off of it, or
that I feel like as an actor.
A lot of times, like CDsdirectors, producers, they can
get put on a pedestal in my mindand then I'm like, oh no,
(17:04):
laquanda's cool, like I don'thave to.
I don't have to like be stressedout talking to you and be like,
let me be on presenting myself,and I think that's just really
nice when you can kind of pullthat curtain back and recognize,
hey, we're all people here andwe all just want to create this
thing and we all love and we allhave our peace to play in
(17:25):
creating this really cool thing.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So Right, no, I agree .
I agree.
110% is also just knowing thetime and the place.
You know like, yes, I'm cool,I'm gonna always be cool when
it's time to work.
It's time to work.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
And so I think that's kind of like a fine line that a
lot of people just can't reallyget right sometimes, because I
could meet you and we could becool when we're talking and then
not saying this has happened.
So I don't want anybody tothink you did this, but just as
an example.
Then you're like hitting me upall the time Like hey, what you
got working on, what's up, sis?
You know like hey, what you gotfor me, and I'm like what you
(18:07):
know?
No, that's not how I dobusiness.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
So it's knowing to me please don't put me on a
pedestal, but please respect whoI am, because at the end of the
day, it's still work and it's ajob opportunity and it's a cast
Like we're like entertainment,human resources, I guess you
know like we give actors jobs.
So me personally, yes, I'mgoing to be friendly, I'm a girl
(18:33):
next door, but when it's timeto work, just respect that space
.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Yeah, I think that.
Yes, one it's professional.
I think some of the best adviceI ever got for helping me strip
my nerves back a little bit wasfrom an acting teacher that
he's like what you have tounderstand is you're being hired
to work.
You need to show like it's.
Yes, acting is a craft andthere's that whole artistic
component of it, but from aproducer standpoint, I hired
(18:58):
this person to come and do thisjob.
Come and do your job, be ontime be, prepared and do your
job.
So I think he said that to me acouple of years ago and I was
like, okay, that actually helpstake the nerves off of it a
little bit, because there'salways nerves with it anytime
you perform but at leastrecognizing from other
standpoints, hey, you've beenhired to do this thing, come do
(19:19):
this thing, Just like you'vebeen hired to be a casting
director.
Wouldn't be great if you thenwere not casting a movie, if you
were like just you know, likenot auditioning actors or
whatever.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Right right, right, right, right.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
No, I agree, it's good advice, for sure, yeah so,
and the next question I have foryou is what has been some of
the hardest parts of thisjourney, and then what have been
some of the best parts?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I would say the hardest parts.
One thing about me I feel likeI've always been an advocate, I
feel like, for actors, because Ifeel like I understood the
journey.
We're in an industry wherenothing is really guaranteed and
you don't have insurance, yourmoney's not guaranteed, you
don't know when the next gig isgonna come.
And when I started againworking on Indies, you know,
(20:09):
financially it was a struggle.
I had two young kids I'm tryingto remember the ages, but they
were young, so 2009,.
My youngest was three, so threeand five or six.
My kids were when I started.
So it wasn't about me, you know,if it was just me, I was living
(20:31):
a box under the bridge but Ihad to feed my kids and just
feeling is this gonna happen?
You know, you see in otherpeople getting jobs and you're
not getting the jobs that youwanna get, and it can be a
struggle and I feel like that'swhy I became such an advocate.
I became a life coach as well in2017, because, overall, it
(20:56):
could take a toll on your mentalhealth and it could take a toll
on you know, you believe inyourself and then you have your
family telling you to get a realjob.
That doesn't help.
You know, and it's like you'reon this journey and you feel
alone and you may be having likeI've been evicted.
I've had financial strugglesthroughout this journey, not
(21:17):
being able to pay my billsbecause I'm doing what I love
and I'm doing, you know, dreams,and so I think that's the
toughest part of just notknowing, not having that
financial stability or even jobsecurity, just not knowing what
the next thing is gonna be.
That's always tough and theflip side of it is that I'm
(21:39):
doing at the same time.
I'm still doing what I love andI'm still doing what I'm
passionate about and I'm givingpeople opportunities to do what
they love.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
You know what?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I'm saying, like the best thing, I don't call as much
as I used to when I firststarted, but I used to call and
offer the roles and I would havelike people cry and just be so
excited and that just filled myheart.
And so just realizing that mydreams I'm making people dreams
come true too, just fulfillingmy dreams I feel like a vessel
(22:12):
is some way.
That's really cool, you know,but that's, I think, yeah, best
than the worst part.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
I know, but I think that's a really cool way to look
at it and I think that's coolthat you used to call because I
don't know.
There's just the few, very fewthings that I've booked.
It's like my heart stops in mychest.
I usually get an email from myagent and I'm like, oh, I can
legit do this, because I thinkit's constantly trying to be
(22:38):
like can I do what I say I cando?
Can I do what I keep?
Practicing comparison gamewhere you said other people are
getting jobs and you're kind oflike okay, I'm just here.
And I don't think people realizethe time.
It's years, it's years of yourlife, and then you fall into
that.
Sometimes you'll be comparingyourself to people who they're
(23:01):
on year 20 and you're on yearfive and so, but that, combined
with this financial component ofit, which I've fallen to that
as well you just it's the Ialways say, it's the conundrum
of trying to do what you lovebut trying to pay your bills
Exactly.
So, I think, being able to takeit and have that, for you to be
(23:25):
able to recognize that you'realso, you're fulfilling your
dreams, but then this beautifulvessel of being able to then
turn around and say, hey, yougot the part, and just the joy
that comes with that, becausejoy is just infectious, giving
joy.
It always ends up coming rightback to you.
So I don't know, I love thatand I love that you recognize
(23:45):
your job and what you do as thatand I think people can get
burned out on it.
It's like you have it and youstill are like finding that joy
and recognizing the joy thatyou're passing.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Yeah, which is really cool.
Yeah, and I also feel like,thank you so much.
I also feel like I found a wayto find joy overall in
filmmaking and I feel like mebeing able to wear so many hats.
My first job since the strike isover is actually a coordinating
job.
I haven't got a call to castanything yet.
I haven't got a call to produceor direct anything yet, and so
(24:20):
but I'm not looking at it likeyou know, cause ultimately
that's the long goal.
You know I would love toproduce and direct full time,
but I'm just enjoying the moment.
I feel like we are blessed towork in an industry that most
people just watch on TV and theydon't understand the ins and
out of this business, and we getto be a part of it.
Like we're not heart surgeons,we're not caring cancer, we're
(24:42):
not even politicians.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Thank goodness, it can be there, right, you know.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
So I just feel like, wow, we're blessed to really
entertain people, and some ofyou had just said that a lot.
They may not express it, but alot of actors are thinking the
same, like I'm on my five andthey're in their 20.
Cause I used to do the samething with other cast directors
Like they are casting everythingyou know and I'm not casting
(25:12):
anything is your journey.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
You know, can't compare yourself to anybody else
.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
I like that.
You said you're trying to findthe joy and whatever it is that
you're doing, Cause that'ssomething that I really, for
2024, I enjoy and excitement,Cause I feel like I've gotten
really jaded by acting and I'vegotten I audition and I audition
and I don't book and I which isfine, Like you said, it's part
of my journey.
I've been really trying toshift my attitude and it's been
(25:38):
good.
I've gotten some good auditionsthis year and I'm like you know
what You're getting auditions.
Some people don't even getauditions and so I've just been
trying to completely shift myfocus to play.
I want to play the way.
When I was 13 years old, I justacted for the fun of it, not
because I was trying to impressanybody.
I was like there was a littlegirl who used to act and I used
(25:59):
to do it just because it was fun.
It wasn't trying to book a jobor whatever.
So I really want to get back tothat and that's what I've been
working on this year.
I really like that you are.
You're doing the same, youwhatever you're working on
whether it's coordinating,producing, directing, casting
you're finding the joy and thatthing and recognizing that it is
(26:20):
something to be grateful forthat we get to do this.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Yeah, and it is.
And I will say, and I will be100% transparent, it is hard.
Could I be an actor?
Probably not.
You know, like it is hard, likeit's a very vulnerable craft
and career and you hear no allthe time, not because you're not
great, it's just because it'sjust so much competition, you
(26:45):
know, like I said, takes a tollon and in the human to hear and
know Right.
So I can't imagine going into aroom, being in front of me and
maybe other people you neverknow who's in there and you're
vulnerable and you're doing yourbest and it's just like thank
you, and you have no idea whatthat means.
(27:06):
Right, or did you do good, didyou do bad?
And then you don't book.
And again, because it's notthat you're not good, it's
because it's hundreds of otherpeople you know going for the
same road.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I was going to ask you, looking back, is there
anything that you would dodifferently, or are you?
Which is kind of hard?
I feel like that's a toughquestion, because your journey
is your journey, but if there'sthings that you could change, or
maybe things that you wish youlearned sooner, or whatever, do
you think you would?
Speaker 2 (27:36):
I don't have any regrets.
The only thing I think I wouldhave done differently is I would
have probably PAed a littleearlier, because I remember when
I was working on the Miss Patshow I'm one of the production
executives that I've known foryears and she said to me she
said I told you years ago thatyou should work in production,
and again I just had that ego oflike I'm a casting director.
(27:58):
But during the pandemic I alsolearned to line produce, and so
that's another one of my littleside hustles too.
I do budgets and I, for indies,I line produce.
But in that journey, if I wouldhave started earlier, I probably
could have been a UPM or a lineproducer by now.
You know what I'm saying.
So I just feel like, but againnot taken away, like at the end
(28:21):
of the day I'm still a creative,and me and Afrid was just
talking about that on FridayLike, yeah, after coordinating I
can move up to supervisor, thenmove up to line producing, and
that's really good money,especially on a network show.
I said, but I'm a creative, Iwant to be a producing director,
ingo is producing director, andso I'm just really like
(28:42):
wherever that journey takes me,but I do feel as though I would
have gotten out my ego andprobably just jumped into the
studio world just a little bitsooner.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
OK, I have a question about the producing, directing,
because I have a vision in myhead of where I want to end up.
Of course, do you ever findyourself having fear about what
if it doesn't happen?
Are you like, nah, it's goingto happen.
You just are at a point whereyou're just stable and secure
with where you're at and whatyou bring to the table.
How do you, or how do you dealwith that?
(29:14):
Combat that?
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Let me tell you, I know it doesn't look it, but I'm
going to be 45 years old thisyear.
It doesn't look it, guys.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
It does not look it.
I thought this girl was like inher early 30s when I first met
her.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
So I'm going to place up it's going to happen and I'm
also.
Well, when I was in my early30s, if you would ask me, I
would have been like I don'tknow.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
And.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
I think that is why I waited tables, just for the
uncertainty of is this reallygoing to happen?
I don't know if I shared thisor not, but again, I've been
casting since 2009.
And I cast my first networkproject in 2022.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
Oh wow, I was going to say I was looking at your
credits and I was like so thisgirl's taking off like 2021,
2022, 2023.
I was like what's she gotcoming in 2024?
Oh, I don't know.
I'm going to believe somethingsoon.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
But I feel like that's the journey.
Sometimes it's quick for somepeople and sometimes it's not,
and sometimes it's therelationships and I feel like
early in my career I didn't havethe relationships to catapult
my career, I wasn't in the rightplace at the right time and I
don't know, I can't say itbecause it's my journey, but
(30:35):
when people look at things likethat and I still didn't give up
I love that.
First of all, I loved being anindependent casting director.
I love working on indie filmsonly because I felt as though I
had more of an input, whereasthese other casting directors no
shade to them, they are workingon bigger projects.
But then even me, I can't saythis is who I want.
(30:59):
I have to make choices, send itto the director who send it to
the network.
It's an approval process now,whereas when I was doing indies,
it's like doop, doop, doop,doop, doop.
This is who I like and ninetimes out of 10, that's who
we're casting.
That's cool.
So I felt as though I had moreof a say with indies.
But everybody wants to seethose names in the credit on
(31:22):
television or in a movie on abig screen.
So it was always that void forme of I love what I did, but I
always still wanted the biggerroles, the bigger projects.
I want to work on films stillthat are being nominated for
Oscars, or really dope TV shows,exactly so just having an
(31:43):
appreciation for where you are,but you still want to strive and
, in regards to producing anddirecting, it's going to happen.
I'm just claiming it and that'sjust what it's going to be.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
I love it.
I love it.
How OK with you saying that.
How do you keep yourself?
Because there's no doubt thatthis road, this journey, can be
very draining.
We talked about mental healthand just the toll it takes.
So what are some things thatyou do, if you don't mind
sharing personally, to keepyourself?
Just keep that energy up andnot let the naysayers or any of
(32:13):
that like just get you down.
Just know who you are and whatyou bring to the table.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
I started meditating.
I started meditating Once wewere working girl.
I haven't did this in a while,but I would get a massage every
week.
That is my happy place.
I love a spa day.
I love my massage therapisthe's amazing and that kept me
afloat.
But then journaling and that'swhy I created the LQ presents,
(32:41):
the Actors Journal, and then Istarted traveling.
I started finding ways to justfind I'm a Libra too.
So I need the balance.
I need the balance and, as Igot older, more self-validation.
Not so much caring what otherpeople thought, Just doing what
I wanted to do, whatever thatlooked like, just doing what
(33:04):
made LaQuanda happy.
Ok.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
OK, I had a question about your massage.
Are you a deep tissue girl orare you gentle?
Because I'm like, get in there,I'm a flower, no.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Lord, no, I'm a flower and you know what's funny
is because my massage there,but he's a man, so that I've had
deep tissue massages in this,so hurts.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Hurt so bad.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
But I think that works for something else.
But I feel like, in regards tojust relaxing, I don't want to
be beat up, that's fair.
Give me the nice knees there,you know, just go ahead and get
your elbow in there, you know,but like nice.
So I always feel very and mymassage therapist his name is
Howard, he's amazing Like he'llrub your toes, like I feel very
(33:52):
relaxed when I leave there.
You know, it's not any of thatcrazy stuff, you see on
Instagram but I'm verycomfortable and relaxed and I
absolutely love him.
Like I think again because ofthe strike I didn't do much.
I probably had like twomassages last year but, and I'm
getting one next.
Saturday I'm very excited aboutthat, but I was going every
(34:12):
single week.
That's awesome that.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
I think that's.
I think that's my new goal inlife is to be able to get a
massage every single week, CauseI get them, but I always get
like the deep tissue cause.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
I do it like once a month and I'm like all right
time to get all the stuff out,get everything out, and they're
not the most enjoyable, but Ifeel better after See, and again
, it's what that looks like foryou, Like that's me, like I love
a spa day, I love candles, likeI just love that.
So I feel like, whatever thatlooks like for you, I have a
(34:43):
friend that heights.
That's not my jam, you know,but if it's your jam, that's
what you should do.
Again, meditate, like and evenin my office when I'm
coordinating cause that could bevery stressful too Me in my
office we will close the door.
We'll pop on a five minuteYouTube, meditate, turn the
lights down for five minutes.
We are meditating.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
They say five minutes works Like they.
I mean, yeah, like you don'thave to.
I was talking to a friend ofmine about this that, like,
people have this idea that youneed to sit down and do like 20,
30 minutes.
But if you just give yourselffive minutes a day and again,
like you said, it's what worksfor you.
So like, if all you can giveyourself is five minutes a day,
that's better than givingyourself no minutes a day you
(35:25):
know no minutes a day Deepbreathing.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
I'm very big on deep breathing Like cause that always
can calm you down.
I give you a feeling reallyanxious or upset.
Take 10 seconds to do somereally deep breaths and by the
time you get to eight you canfeel your body just calming down
.
We are in a very stressfulindustry so I feel like those
things, and then life is juststressful on top of it.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
That part we like compounded it or like life's
hard, let's also choosesomething that's pretty hard.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
So I told my friend, I told a friend of mine.
I was like what was I thinking?
I don't know if this industryis really for me.
It's so stressful and it's sucha hard industry to be in.
I mean, yes, it's somewonderful people, but there's
also.
Being in the entertainmentindustry reminds me of the movie
the Devil's Advocate.
(36:16):
I don't know if you've everseen it.
If you have not, you shouldwithout Pachino.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
And Charlie Starran, and I was a cannery and you just
don't know who has the devilface or who not.
You know like you just don'tknow, right, you don't, you just
don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:33):
And I think that's the tricky part.
I think what is her name?
Amelia Clark, queen of Dragonsin Game of.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Thrones.
Speaker 1 (36:39):
OK, I want to make sure.
I said it right.
I know that's not.
I watched Game of Thrones and Ican't remember her name, the
character's name, but I knowAmelia Clark is there.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Thirsty.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Oh, no, no, no, no, that's not Thirsty, that's
Khaleesi, Khaleesi.
All of them sound so similarYep Of the drag queen.
Speaker 1 (36:55):
Yes, yes, she had a thing in an interview where she
was like, what would theybasically had asked her what
would she say to someone whosaid I wanted to be an actor?
And she said the first thingshe'd say is are you sure?
Because she was like, althoughthis industry has given me some
of the best moments of my life,it's also given me some of the
worst.
And I was like, oh that's sotrue Because, like you said, you
(37:18):
don't know who's really in thisfor what you would hope
everybody's in it for.
But just like in life, there'sgood and there's bad, like
there's people doing stuff,that's shady and there's people
who are doing stuff, that's gota good intentions and pure heart
.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
So Exactly, and when it comes to interaction with
self and you, it's just likeeverybody's not your friend and
we need to stop acting like that, because that's how people get
hurt.
And I'm such a passionateperson that I had to read books.
I read a lot of books too, isit the four agreements, I feel
(37:52):
like, but not taking everythingpersonally.
I think.
Naturally, as a Libra, I getattached to things and I take
everything personally, and I hadto learn in this business not
to take everything personally.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
But yeah, With the directing, producing as like
your big goal, your big dream.
Do you have what you would wantto do?
Like what kind of project doyou want to share or you not
want to share?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Sometimes people have no, I sure of course I want to
be a producing director for likeepisode of television, so I
want to be able to do television.
And I love Ryan Murphy.
It's a dream to work with him.
I would love to work with him.
I'm like trying to get into hisdirector's program but I love a
(38:40):
lot of different.
We were just talking about Gameof Thrones, which to me is one
of the best TV shows ever made.
I would have loved to haveworked on Game of Thrones Power
when it was on air, which Istill watch all the installments
.
But when Power was the originalone, like I would have killed
to be on to that show and workon that show and just be a part
of the creative team.
(39:00):
But I watch literally everysingle type of show, so it's
hard.
Like I just watched Ted Lassoand was like this show was
definitely amazing.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
I loved that show.
It was so funny, so good too,and there's so many moments that
were so raw and real.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
Motivational.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
I didn't expect to have a moment where I was crying
in this comedy.
I cried a lot in Ted Lassobecause it just hit your heart.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
I'm like, oh, but the thing is I binge watched it
just a few weeks ago and wasupset.
I was pissed really.
I never could say that on yourpodcast, but I was pissed
because I don't know why.
I thought it was five seasonsand it was just three, I was
like wait, no, and like soon asI found out he was going home, I
just was like no, I was so sad,I was so sad.
(39:49):
But there I just also finishedthe morning show, so I would go
from Ted Lasso to Kane.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah, power Kane in.
You know what?
Speaker 2 (39:58):
I'm saying I am like all the Queens men, I love it,
though I just watch it, justeverything.
Speaker 1 (40:05):
I think it gives you a good mix, though, too, and it
also watching all that stuffgives you inspiration for
different things, and if you'rein goal is about a TV, which I
think is awesome.
By the way, I love TV.
I think, movies are really cool, but I've always been like dude
to have a recurring, Not arecurring Whatever.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Recurring right, yeah , yeah, on a TV show, what you
want.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
Where you could continue building a character
over episode over episode.
I'm like that's cool, but thenI also, as the actor, I could
also get where.
If you're eight seasons downthe road, which who do I have?
I don't have a right to gripeabout anything.
This is me talking about mydreams in Wonderland right now.
I'm like, yeah, I'll take aco-star, but yeah, yeah, yeah,
(40:47):
yeah.
You know, this is down the road, liz.
I mean, I think that's so coolto be able to see something over
time.
Now, with directing, producingfor a TV show, you would
potentially you would not bethere for the whole season, you
would just speak, or would you?
Because, is that?
Speaker 2 (41:06):
So I want to direct but ultimately like so if I'm
directing I could have you know.
You could work on many shows,but I would love to be a
producing director.
On one show or you know, likemy show, whatever show, it is
Because you're involved, butthen so you're not going
anywhere.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
You know, and other directors would come in, but I'm
also a producer, so I'm stillpretty involved in the show.
That's super cool, right.
But as a director I just wantto be able to work.
Now, grinna, I don't want tosay I don't want to work on
movies, because I would love towork on movies, but I feel like
my heart would be supersatisfied and happy to be able
to hop and work on differentshows.
That just seems like the bee'sknees for me.
(41:48):
It's fun.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
I love it.
Bee's knees, it does.
Had another question.
Ok, I get so excited in theseand I'm like where am I?
What's going on Bring?
Speaker 2 (41:59):
the excitement, let's go.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
What advice would you give for people who either just
want to get in this industry orspecifically want to get into
what you're doing?
What little golden-eyed childcoming up to you.
What would you say?
Speaker 2 (42:18):
I would say the same thing that someone asked the
million-clad Like are you sure?
But it was funny about that.
I meant to add that when yousaid it, when I started casting
and I sat on a casting directorworkshop with one and she asked
me, she was like are you sure?
You sure you want to be acasting director?
(42:38):
Because we are the mostunderappreciated position 14, 15
years later, is so true?
You know, you're lucky if anactor thinks the casting
director when they get an award.
As far as entertainment, again,I feel like it's something that
you'd be really, reallypassionate about.
But just have the understandingthat this is a business, you
(43:00):
know.
It's not all glitz and glamourand it's gonna be ups and down
and it's gonna be hardship, andyou're not gonna walk through
the door and all of a suddenhave everything you want is
gonna take a lot of work and alot of passion, a lot of effort,
a lot of tears, a lot ofhardships, and is that something
you want?
It's a beautiful, beautifulindustry, it's a beautiful craft
(43:25):
, but you have to want it forthe right reasons, and to be
famous is not the right reason,and so I could give any advice.
It's just to know who you areas a person first, because that
will help with the hardships tohave a love for what you wanna
do, whatever that may be, andjust be willing to give out your
bless.
(43:45):
What are the tears for it?
Speaker 1 (43:46):
That was some great advice right there.
If you didn't hear anythingelse in this interview, just go
replay that.
It could be a littlemotivational.
Do you ever?
I'll listen to thosemotivational speeches on YouTube
sometimes?
So you just gave us a YouTubemotivational speech.
I feel like I love that.
Speaker 2 (44:04):
I love that.
I secretly wanna be amotivational speaker.
I just haven't done it.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Sorry, I swear.
Some people on Instagram.
They just make motivationalvideos every day and all of a
sudden they got millions offollowers.
When you said there's gonna bea lot of tears, I thought, yeah,
my mama see me cry a lot oftears, but God bless that woman,
she keeps going for it.
Speaker 2 (44:26):
That's not what I say .
As long as she keeps supportingyou, that's all that matters,
and I love that, because thereare a lot of people that don't
have supportive.
Oh, it took a support systemlike that.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
My parents are very supportive, but I swear.
When I finally, at 20 years old, I told my dad I was in biology
pre-med and I was like I'mgonna switch to film and pursue
acting.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I swear.
Speaker 1 (44:50):
My dad's eyes went like straight to see me under a
bridge in Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
He's like no, you're not.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
He's come around he's come around, but it took
efforts, he was like wait aminute, I was gonna have a
doctor, and now, but he's proud.
Speaker 2 (45:05):
You know what's so funny about that?
Because now I'm like theopposite of that, I think,
because I'm creative, so my kidswanna do creative things.
I'm like whatever you wanna do,but then I'm like on the other
side of my brain am I being agood thing, cause maybe I should
push them to do other things.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
I was gonna say my parents.
I don't have any artists in myback.
Well, my grandmother was apainter and stuff like that but
I don't have any performingartist or anybody who did it as
a career in my.
I have very little go tocollege, nine to five, and so I
think the artists having alittle actor come through
they're like what do we do withyou?
But they're good.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
They don't understand that they're very supportive.
No, I understand that I didn'thave any.
I didn't have a blueprint.
I think that was also.
What was hard about my journeyis just not having a blueprint,
being in a culture where I thinkpeople didn't wanna teach you
cause they were afraid you weregonna take their position, so I
didn't have a mentor either,unfortunately.
So just trying to figure it outand I have my youngest son who
(46:02):
wants to edit.
Speaker 1 (46:03):
Yeah, I remember you telling me and my oldest son.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Yeah, he wants to be an editor and my oldest son
wanted to go to school for musicand then I think I just think
college fell at the wrong timewith him in graduating high
school, during the pandemic.
It just wasn't for him.
And now he works with me onshows and he really fell in love
with craft services.
So I think that's what he wantsto do.
So you know, whatever works,you know.
(46:28):
So, but yeah, I think that'sgood though cause.
Speaker 1 (46:30):
College isn't for everyone and one of the biggest
like hang ups I would say that Ihave is one I didn't really
need to go to school for whatI'm doing.
I've learned so much more fromtaking acting classes, not in a
college setting, specificallyfor film.
And then some people they'rejust not meant for college and
(46:50):
that's fine and you can do.
People have amazing, fulfillingcareers outside of going to
college.
So I don't love that beingforced.
Speaker 2 (46:59):
No, cause I think certain I agree with that 100%
and cause I feel like certaincareer paths you need to go to
college.
Speaker 1 (47:07):
You're gonna be a surgeon.
But in regards to for sure, howlong did you go in Boyer
engineer you?
Speaker 2 (47:12):
know, but in regards to like entertainment and I'm
not telling anyone not to go tocollege, but no one has asked to
see my degrees, no one hasasked me what school I've been
went to.
No one has inquired about anyof that.
I barely show my resume.
So it just depends again on thesituation.
(47:34):
I do think it's a good idea ifyou did want to go to college,
go for like business, cause thatwas always a struggle for me.
I'm so creative that thebusiness part just kind of was a
struggle for me, cause I'm notvery business minded.
But I felt like just havingthat would have been a good
addition.
Speaker 1 (47:54):
I final question is kind of flipping the script,
changing lanes, I don't know.
However, you want to say that,so on the other side of the
camera, cause I only see my sideof the camera.
On the other side of the camera, do you feel like you are a
woman and a person of color?
Do you feel like inclusivityreally is changing and evolving?
Cause I feel like we're told itis, but maybe not as quickly as
(48:18):
it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (48:20):
No, I don't, I don't.
I feel like it's always aconstant debate, and number one
being a woman.
There's not many of women.
Speaker 1 (48:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (48:30):
And it's always.
It's always in certainpositions, but then being a
woman of color is like.
So I think being the change youwant to see is always the first
thing.
But that's just America period.
I think as long as the peoplewho are the gateholders continue
to be the gateholders and notwant to let anyone in, we will
(48:51):
always struggle with and havethese types of conversations.
I do feel like it's sad that wehave to have a conversation
whether you're a person of color, whether you're black, latino,
asian, caucasian, even on aCaucasian side, like we just
need to be people that can work,but again, as women cause
(49:13):
that's my thing, like, even aswomen, it's still hard that you
have.
You see, caucasian women stilltrying to get opportunities.
So you already know, ifCaucasian women are still trying
to fight to get in the doorpeople of color, we think it's
it, that's it.
Speaker 1 (49:28):
Well, like I know my experience how hard it is and I
can't.
And then you add on a layer ofit that I'll never understand.
But I also Ellen Pompeo, do youknow that?
Actress, okay.
Yeah, I feel like sometimesI'll say it actors, names and
people are like I don't know whoyou're talking about, but I
feel like you'll know whoever Ilist off.
(49:48):
I know, but she was in aninterview or a round table and
she was talking about how shewas at some women's show or
something like.
One of the first things shesaid when she got up on stage
was there's not enough people ofcolor in this room.
She's like, she's like.
I remember that interview, Idon't know, just something about
(50:09):
her not being afraid to get upon stage and immediately the
first thing out of her mouth waslike there's not enough
diversity in this room, there'snot enough people of color in
this room.
I just walked by so many whitepeople and that's a problem.
You know what I mean.
I mean, I get it just women ingeneral.
I like that.
I feel like the narrative'schanging a little bit, where
women are like the constantneeding to be at another woman's
(50:32):
throat, which I think is suchBS.
I want to be a person that'shelping someone up, never
pushing somebody down.
But also you can take on thatresponsibility too, of hey, like
I want to see more color inthis room, like I'm tired of
seeing snow everywhere.
I go.
Speaker 2 (50:49):
I want to go to the tropics.
I want to see some blue water,some green trees and some
yellows.
Exactly, I feel you.
I feel you.
It's so funny because, beingfrom the North and growing up in
Connecticut, I didn't realize,because where I'm from, in
Hartford, is so diverse, right,but outside of Connecticut it's
(51:11):
predominantly white.
And I didn't realize that untilI moved to Atlanta and then
went home for the first time andI was in a sand club with my
mom.
I never forget this.
This was like summer of 98.
And I looked around I'm likewe're the only black people in
the store and so when I bring mykids to Connecticut, it's kind
of a culture shock to thembecause it's like they're the
(51:32):
only black people in the store.
But I say that to say againthis country has a lot of
changing to do.
But speaking in regards to ourindustry, I was watching the
Morning Show.
That's one of the shows I justfinished and I love that one of
the roles I don't know if you'veever seen the Morning Show.
I've seen the first episode.
(51:52):
Ok, well, it's, oh gosh.
See, I shouldn't even broughtit up because now I can't think
of her name, but she plays therole of Hannah and her name was
like Hannah, shoufelle orShinefelle, whatever, and you
could tell that was not writtenfor a black woman, and I just
love that they cast a blackwoman, because I just feel like
you have these people upstairsor in rooms that are saying who
(52:14):
can play what, whereas we alllive life.
Right, it doesn't matter howmuch money we have, it doesn't
matter our class or our stature.
We all go through things.
We all have lives.
Some people may have more moneythan other people, but people
with more money still haveproblems.
They still have family issues,they still get sick, they still
experience death.
(52:34):
We are women.
We still go through menstrualcycles.
Speaker 1 (52:37):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (52:38):
We all have life experiences and they're not that
different.
We all have that crazy unclethat may come to the family
gathering drunk all the time.
It's just different, different,but it's the same.
Yeah, I know because I have alltypes of friends.
Speaker 1 (52:55):
It is, though it really it is different but the
same, like it's a different lens, but it's the same.
The emotions that you'refeeling within your body are the
same from the what you'rereceiving.
Speaker 2 (53:06):
Yeah, we all do so I just feel like it's the people
that makes the decisionsupstairs, which a lot of times,
they're just upstairs makingdecisions.
They're not even filmmakers,they're just cashing the check.
So then they have a, they havean opinion, and I feel like once
we just have more, you know,inclusive Conversations, and
then things will start to change.
They are slowly changing.
(53:27):
I don't want to say they're not, but we still have a really
long way to go.
I'd agree with that.
Speaker 1 (53:32):
Do you have anything upcoming that you can share,
that you're working on, that youcan share?
No, okay that's okay.
Speaker 2 (53:40):
I feel like right now , if it's so interesting,
because I saw something onInstagram I'll make it quick
where there was another castingdirector, caucasian male, and he
said everything I've beensaying and After the strike we
just thought it was gonna be awaterfall of projects and we
always gonna get right back towork, and that hasn't happened
yet.
I had said to someone that Ifeel like it's gonna be March,
(54:01):
you know, cuz it's like thestrike ended, then Agreements
had to be made, legal ashes hadto be done, and now the writers
rooms just kind of went back, soyou have to let them finish
right in the scripts.
So a lot of products are stillprobably in development.
So I really feel, maybe alittle bit closer to March, we
all will be getting back to thereal flow of the right.
So right now, like I said, myfirst project this year is the
(54:23):
product I'm coordinating, butyou know, hopefully something's
coming up soon that I'll becasting it will be you.
Speaker 1 (54:29):
I did see on your Instagram I'm gonna share some
of your stuff.
You, I saw I Stocked you alittle bit before this, just for
this.
Speaker 2 (54:39):
Love it, keep talking , I love it.
Speaker 1 (54:41):
Girl in the closet right.
There's that.
I have that right.
It was the first thing you didthat you cast every.
According to your Instagram,you cast all the speaking roles
on it.
Is that correct?
Okay, so I haven't seen it yet,but I saw that what I was
prepping for this this morning,so I'm gonna watch that this
week sometime.
Speaker 2 (54:57):
Oh man it's on lifetime, but it's also a bit
more whoo-hoo.
That's what I thought.
Okay, so you could go and watchit.
Yeah, so it's.
It's a tough one, it's badly,but one of those ripped from the
headline stories and itactually happened.
And I did one movie before thatOn lifetime and it was a
Christmas movie and I just didthe local Atlanta Rose, and the
(55:18):
the rose here, I mean for girlin the closet was local Atlanta
rose too.
But like literally they let uscast everyone.
Okay, you know it's set up.
You know Timmy, roman and andRemy mom, but I still did all
that.
So that that was.
That was like even though thesubject matters like I Still was
like it's my baby, because Iliterally cast every single
(55:38):
person in that movie.
That's awesome.
I love it.
Okay, good, I wanted to give me, even if you don't have
something that you know rightnow coming up.
Speaker 1 (55:45):
I was like this girl's still working.
There's stuff all over herInstagram.
Thank you Closing.
I'm gonna claim this for usbecause I love your energy and
I'm like bump casting, directing.
I want one day to get to actand you direct.
I think it would be a reallyfun partnership.
So, anyway, I'm not throw thatout in the universe, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (56:06):
Yes, I love that.
You never know, maybe I'll doit short soon.
Yeah, look, we'll see I play.
I love that.
That would be fun.
That would be fun Speaking.
Yeah, I'm here for it, allright.
Speaker 1 (56:17):
Well, thanks, thank you so much Thank you so much
for having me, of course.
It was great talking to you andif you guys could rate, review
the podcast, share it.
Let me do what I'm doing and itHelps my just get out there in
the world too, and y'all canhear their story Share it.
Speaker 2 (56:33):
Subscribe for it.
Hey everybody, welcome back to I Am Me podcast.
Today I am here with LaquandaPlant.
She is a casting director localto Atlanta.
She founded LQ Casting in 2009and has been working, I think,
primarily as a casting directorsince then.
I did some stalking online tosee what I could find out.
Done we are, yeah, but we'llalso find out a lot from you
(00:23):
about your journey and what youdo and how maybe other people
can get into it.
So, hi, how?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
today.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
I'm great, thank you.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, I'm so happy to be hereon this lovely Sunday afternoon
which the sun will come out.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
But you know, we had so much rain and I'm so ready
for the sunshine.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Oh, my God, don't you feel like you live in Seattle?
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, sometimes, which I hate.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
But you know what I heard yesterday which I was like
really that we get more rain,like it seems like, when you
think of Seattle, that they getmore rain, but really we get
more rain than they do.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
That's really bizarre because I feel like I feel like
that's the place when I'm likeI wouldn't want to live there
because of the rain.
That's what I say.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
I don't know how true that is, but that's what
someone told me yesterday and Iwas like that's really
interesting.
I have to look into that,because if you think about it,
like, we do get a lot of rain,but when we get rain it's like
shh, and then it's like so muchflood rain it's not like normal
rain, it's just like, yeah, it'sdownpour.
Exactly, exactly, all right.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So my first question I always jump off and I'm like
how did you get to where you arenow?
You're a casting director,primarily, and then you also do
directing, and then I alsolooked at your credits and you
have a laundry list of creditsfrom production secretary.
Some PA work in the beginningand so, which is just how this
(01:47):
industry works, I would say.
So what?
Is your story.
How did you, how did this comeabout for you?
Was this something you'realways interested in, or was
this something that shifted inlife for you?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
No, I actually always kind of I don't want to say
always, but you know like askids we go through career like I
want to be a lawyer.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
I want to be this.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And mine went from accountant lawyer and then, at
17, I wanted to be a filmmaker.
So I've wanted to be afilmmaker since I was 17 years
old and I wanted to go.
According to my stepdad may herest in peace he said I said
because I originally I'm fromHartford, connecticut, and he
said that I said at 12 years oldthat I wanted to live in
(02:28):
Atlanta.
I can only imagine me sayingthat, because my mom is
originally from Alabama, from asmall town called Atmore, and I
spent a lot of time there, soI've always considered myself a
Southern Yankee and so, I think,not wanting to live in Alabama.
We used to drive throughAtlanta and maybe that was like
(02:49):
the closest city I knew.
I went to live in a city but Ididn't want to live in New York,
so I think I just chose Atlanta.
But I went to college here andI majored in mass media, film
and video production and laterdigital filmmaking, and I always
wanted to direct.
But at the time when I was inschool this was early 2000s
(03:09):
Atlanta wasn't the film city.
It is now.
It was more news.
So when we were taking classeswe was learning like multi-cam,
we was visiting news stationsand that was all cool Nothing
against news but that wasn'twhat I wanted to do and I always
was always the only female inclass as well, which, whatever.
That didn't bother me, but Ididn't really feel like I had a
(03:30):
voice and it was also sotechnical.
I kind of lost interest in it.
And then, randomly, for editingclass, we had to create a short
film and I ended up casting itand I had auditions and I was
like, wow, what is this?
Let me, let me figure this out.
Unfortunately, it was reallyhard for me to get like an
internship.
(03:50):
Like I kept emailing people andnobody would give me a chance.
So I started interning at atalent agency, so I was on the
other end of it and then I'm intheir files, I'm emailing the
people, like, give me a chance.
And I ended up from thatgetting an internship with a
local casting director, whichI'm not going to name, but from
there I started LQ casting in2009.
(04:13):
And from that I startedproducing around 2012.
And then fast forward to 2016,.
I want to say I went back toschool because I had got my
associates but I had neverfinished.
So I went back to get mybachelor's in digital filmmaking
and from there.
I had to direct a film tograduate and that's how I
(04:36):
started directing.
But I feel like it was kind oflike the universe, like back in
2000,.
I was like 14, 15.
I did extras casting on Selma.
I met a director and I got thechance to meet Eva DuVernay and
I was very inspired by her.
But not too long after that, Iwent to a screening for the film
(04:56):
called Mudbound and I met thedirector.
Her name was Dee Reese and shejust literally let me pick her
brain answer all these questions.
So these are women directors,right.
And then my last year, because Igraduated in 2018, I started PA
.
That's when I started to PA,because I was yes, I was casting
since 2009,.
But I was doing a lot of indiesand so I wanted to get my foot
(05:18):
in the door of studio andnetwork.
I'm like, how can I do that?
Let me start over as a PA andwhat's interesting about that?
And also a little tip like Ithink I I think I kind of
prevented myself from doing thatbecause years ago I had, first
thing, you should come and be aPA, and I'm like I'm a casting
(05:38):
director.
You know, in my mind I alreadyhave this, this vision for
myself and I think it preventedme from getting opportunities.
Because in my mind I'm likethis is what I wanted to do, but
I wasn't where I wanted to beper se and so I started as an
office PA on this show calledGreenleaf, which came on the O
network, and then the showcalled Step Up Highwater, which
(06:00):
was on YouTube red.
And being on Step Up literallyfrom beginning to end, seeing 10
different directors come in anddirect different episodes, and
I was like and seeing them,different styles, like no
director is the same, and thatkind of lit a fire in me where I
was afraid to be a directorbecause I didn't like the
(06:23):
technical aspect of it.
That always was in my mind,like I'm not really technical, I
don't really know all thelenses and the I mean I'm past
cinematography but it justwasn't my thing and so I didn't
think I could be a directorbecause of that.
Because I was like, well, Ireally don't know that much, but
then working on Step Up,learning and seeing the
different styles there's so manydirectors that are just
(06:45):
creative.
You have directors that come inthat wants the storyboard.
You have directors that come inthat don't storyboard.
You have the rest that come inthat really are technical, and
then you have some that are not.
And then learning that, seeingthat there are different styles
of directing and different typesof directors, I was like, okay,
let me light this fire back inme and I directed a short film
for my senior project calledValley Morgan TV Qualified.
(07:09):
And not only did I get an A onthat project, I was like best in
show and my portfolio class andwent on to you know, go into
some film festivals.
And I really only did that filmto graduate.
And then people were like, oh,you need to put this in
festivals.
Oh, you didn't do this withthis, are you going to make this
a show?
And I'm like it's all kind oforganically happened.
(07:34):
But I say organically, but Ireally it was something that was
literally something I wanted todo since I was 17, but was
afraid to do it.
So I kind of fell into casting,which to me was okay because it
still was a love for film and Ihave such a love for the art of
auditioning and the actingprocess.
Like even before I became acasting director I was auditing
(07:57):
classes.
You know, I really took itseriously.
I know a lot of people just say, hey, I wanna do this now.
This is who I am, me.
I need to do the work cause Ijust wanna be really comfortable
with saying it took me a whileto call myself a casting
director.
But I did audit classes, I tookworkshops.
Any LA casting director thatcame into Atlanta, I went to
(08:18):
their panels and workshops andyou know, just really kind of I
really like to know what I'mdoing, even producing.
I just fell into that because Ireally wanted to not just cast
and everything I did I wanted itto be good.
So I just naturally just didmore things and that's how I
started producing.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I think it's great to hear that you struggled to call
yourself a casting director,because I think myself included
a lot of a struggle on theacting side to call ourselves an
actor.
I'm not really an actor untilI've booked a network show or
you know.
It doesn't matter how manyyears of work you've put into it
until you do something thatgives you that stamp of being
(09:01):
able to call yourself that.
So I think that's a great pointand something awesome for other
people to recognize that that'salso happening on the other side
of the camera with castingdirectors and directors and this
industry can definitely makeyou feel like an imposter a lot
of the time, and I think a lotof it is just trusting your gut,
trusting the little universalGodwinks whatever you want to
(09:23):
call them where you're like.
Okay, I got a littleencouragement that I can keep
going with this, and I thinkit's cool too.
I have a question Was it hardfor you because you really
pivoted going back to PA?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
work.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
And I hear that and I , because I've done PA work too
and it's very hard and it canfeel like a step down I would
say Do you feel like, did thatlike humble you or did you feel
like it was hard to say?
You know what?
I need to do some PA work,because on the indie side you're
doing pretty well as a castingdirector, but you want to get
(09:59):
over into that network side.
So how was that transition orthat for you?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
That's a great question, because all of that.
First of all, we want to rewindback to something you had said
with regards to the stamp ofapproval.
If you notice, it's really kindof like self validation within
ourselves.
No one else is looking at uslike that.
You know.
People are just like, oh,you're doing this, you're doing
that, and it was me that wassaying, oh, I'm not good enough.
So, even with actors out there,you could be acting in the
(10:30):
school play.
Then you're an actor.
But it's also good to want tostrive to be better.
So, just finding that healthybalance of saying, yes, I'm an
actor, but I'm consistentlyworking on my craft to be a
better actor, to be a biggeractor, and to answer your
question, yes, it was a hardtransition.
Only because in my mind and inmy ego space, I'm like do these
(10:54):
people know who?
I am Right, you know, but Istill.
I wanted the opportunity and Iwanted to learn, and I think
that was more so the producer inme, because I started as a PA.
But when I was a PA, I walkedaround, I talked to everyone,
from accounting to construction.
I was asking everyone so whatis it that you do?
(11:14):
You know, Gryff, what is itthat you do?
I really wanted to know, andI've been an office PA and
worked my way up in the office.
I was a production secretary onBlack Lightning, I was
assistant production coordinatoron a few shows and now I'm a
production coordinator.
But I've also worked in Crafty.
You know what I'm saying.
I worked in costumes for as acostume coordinator for a couple
(11:35):
of weeks on the show.
So I just really wanted to justlearn as much as I can.
I talked to the transpo captainand by what they do, you know,
when I work on the studioproducts, I'm walking around the
set to see how things are beingbuilt or seeing how these sets
we watch are really built on astage.
I just really love filmmaking.
(11:57):
So at first, yes, as an officePA, it was challenging because
in my mind I'm like come on.
But I also had people saying tome like, why are you going back
to school?
You're already in the industry,you know.
But I feel like on your ownjourney, only you can know where
(12:17):
you want to be and onlywhatever that looks like for you
.
So now, yes, I'm a castingdirector who's actively working.
Yes, I'm a producer in theproducers guild, but I'm also a
production coordinator and so tome that opens doors for me to
work, because before, when I wasjust a casting director, I was
still waiting tables because Ihad to pay bills and I have two
(12:41):
sons who were small at the time.
So, but now I can work allthese multiple jobs in the
industry I want to be in, and alot of people didn't know that,
Like I literally probably quitserving maybe seven years ago,
but I was casting since 2009,which is almost 15 years.
So half of that time I'mcasting movies, but then I'm
(13:02):
going to Buckhead to work at arestaurant.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Yeah me, I was just talking to an acting friend of
mine about that, where peopledon't realize.
I had a friend of mine whobooked a guest star spot on
found and I was and she's awaitress and it's like she had
that spot and she had that part,but she's and she's like on
network television, like you cango and watch her but then she's
(13:25):
going after she's going anddoing her film and she's going
back to her job and I just don'tthink people realize that that
it's not a lot of educationhappened with that to people who
aren't in the industry aroundthe like.
after strike the sag strike.
I think they're like, why isthat such a big deal?
And it's not about just the 1%up here.
I think there's so many otherworking parts.
(13:47):
But I think the point you madeabout going around and just
being a sponge and absorbing Ithink that just works with
anything, if you really because,one, people like to be cared
about and people who arepassionate about this want to
share that with you.
So going around from departmentdepartment and like showing
interest in what someone else isdoing One cause you're
(14:07):
genuinely interested.
But two, that also is like cool, she's a hard worker but also I
get to share what I love to doand what I contribute to this
project with her, and I don'tthink everybody gets that
opportunity.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Right, and then also, in addition to that, like, this
is an industry where it's whoyou know first and what you know
second.
So my job opportunities came, Ithink after I finished step up,
I was referred to jobs fromsomeone who worked in accounting
, just by corresponding with her.
So you just never know, becausethey'll be looking for somebody
(14:43):
and they're like, oh, I know agreat person who could do this.
You know, and I did travel for alittle bit on some really cool
shows and I got those jobsbecause I was friends with the
travel coordinator on my show,you know, and if she wasn't
available, oh, I know someonewho would be a great person for
this.
So you know, you just neverknow.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Connections too, because the networking aspect
really can stress me out, eventhough I'm outgoing and
something like that.
Oh, great networking.
Yeah, like me and LaQuanda metat an agent, had a holiday,
christmas party, and she came toit and then I ended up talking
to her for like 45 minutes and Ialso had a moment I was like I
was just talking to you and Iwas fine, but then I had a
moment where I was like, okay,this is a casting director.
(15:25):
You've like talked this poorwoman's ear off, like disengage,
but I think that's how weconnected though.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Because I think we both was like we don't like to
network and talk and we juststarted talking because I will
stand in the same place.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Right, Well, I hate too.
I'm a pretty genuine person andI don't like feeling like, oh,
there's a casting director here,there's a directing here.
It's like, okay, go kiss theirass.
And I'm like one decent peopledon't enjoy that.
I would say anybody who'snormal is like I hate it.
Yeah, it's like I don't want youto come and kiss my ass, but so
there's like that component ofit and I don't like it.
(16:00):
It feels awkward and weird.
So I'm like, hey, if I can comeand like have a conversation
with you, I'd much rather dothat.
And I don't like the idea ofsomeone like hey, go talk to
that person, like that's gonnahelp you.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
So I'd rather it be organic Because, if you notice,
I didn't have on a name tag.
I don't like to wear name tagswhen I go because I wanna see
who's going to just come up andbe polite and just speak to me,
or who's speaking to me, causethey see big casting director on
my name tag.
So I don't really like to wearthem and I've always been like
that.
I know it's weird, but I wouldgo to network events and I would
(16:34):
purposely not wear a name tag,because if I did, then I'm
surrounded by people who wouldnormally just walk right by me,
right?
Speaker 1 (16:42):
I think it's nice to when you actually can have a
genuine conversation withwhoever is on the other side of
the lens, because it's just ittakes that stress off of it, or
that I feel like as an actor.
A lot of times, like CDsdirectors, producers, they can
get put on a pedestal in my mindand then I'm like, oh no,
(17:04):
laquanda's cool, like I don'thave to.
I don't have to like be stressedout talking to you and be like,
let me be on presenting myself,and I think that's just really
nice when you can kind of pullthat curtain back and recognize,
hey, we're all people here andwe all just want to create this
thing and we all love and we allhave our peace to play in
(17:25):
creating this really cool thing.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So Right, no, I agree .
I agree.
110% is also just knowing thetime and the place.
You know like, yes, I'm cool,I'm gonna always be cool when
it's time to work.
It's time to work.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
And so I think that's kind of like a fine line that a
lot of people just can't reallyget right sometimes, because I
could meet you and we could becool when we're talking and then
not saying this has happened.
So I don't want anybody tothink you did this, but just as
an example.
Then you're like hitting me upall the time Like hey, what you
got working on, what's up, sis?
You know like hey, what you gotfor me, and I'm like what you
(18:07):
know?
No, that's not how I dobusiness.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Right.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
So it's knowing to me please don't put me on a
pedestal, but please respect whoI am, because at the end of the
day, it's still work and it's ajob opportunity and it's a cast
Like we're like entertainment,human resources, I guess you
know like we give actors jobs.
So me personally, yes, I'mgoing to be friendly, I'm a girl
(18:33):
next door, but when it's timeto work, just respect that space
.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Yeah, I think that.
Yes, one it's professional.
I think some of the best adviceI ever got for helping me strip
my nerves back a little bit wasfrom an acting teacher that
he's like what you have tounderstand is you're being hired
to work.
You need to show like it's.
Yes, acting is a craft andthere's that whole artistic
component of it, but from aproducer standpoint, I hired
(18:58):
this person to come and do thisjob.
Come and do your job, be ontime be, prepared and do your
job.
So I think he said that to me acouple of years ago and I was
like, okay, that actually helpstake the nerves off of it a
little bit, because there'salways nerves with it anytime
you perform but at leastrecognizing from other
standpoints, hey, you've beenhired to do this thing, come do
(19:19):
this thing, Just like you'vebeen hired to be a casting
director.
Wouldn't be great if you thenwere not casting a movie, if you
were like just you know, likenot auditioning actors or
whatever.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Right right, right, right, right.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
No, I agree, it's good advice, for sure, yeah so,
and the next question I have foryou is what has been some of
the hardest parts of thisjourney, and then what have been
some of the best parts?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I would say the hardest parts.
One thing about me I feel likeI've always been an advocate, I
feel like, for actors, because Ifeel like I understood the
journey.
We're in an industry wherenothing is really guaranteed and
you don't have insurance, yourmoney's not guaranteed, you
don't know when the next gig isgonna come.
And when I started againworking on Indies, you know,
(20:09):
financially it was a struggle.
I had two young kids I'm tryingto remember the ages, but they
were young, so 2009,.
My youngest was three, so threeand five or six.
My kids were when I started.
So it wasn't about me, you know,if it was just me, I was living
(20:31):
a box under the bridge but Ihad to feed my kids and just
feeling is this gonna happen?
You know, you see in otherpeople getting jobs and you're
not getting the jobs that youwanna get, and it can be a
struggle and I feel like that'swhy I became such an advocate.
I became a life coach as well in2017, because, overall, it
(20:56):
could take a toll on your mentalhealth and it could take a toll
on you know, you believe inyourself and then you have your
family telling you to get a realjob.
That doesn't help.
You know, and it's like you'reon this journey and you feel
alone and you may be having likeI've been evicted.
I've had financial strugglesthroughout this journey, not
(21:17):
being able to pay my billsbecause I'm doing what I love
and I'm doing, you know, dreams,and so I think that's the
toughest part of just notknowing, not having that
financial stability or even jobsecurity, just not knowing what
the next thing is gonna be.
That's always tough and theflip side of it is that I'm
(21:39):
doing at the same time.
I'm still doing what I love andI'm still doing what I'm
passionate about and I'm givingpeople opportunities to do what
they love.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
You know what?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I'm saying, like the best thing, I don't call as much
as I used to when I firststarted, but I used to call and
offer the roles and I would havelike people cry and just be so
excited and that just filled myheart.
And so just realizing that mydreams I'm making people dreams
come true too, just fulfillingmy dreams I feel like a vessel
(22:12):
is some way.
That's really cool, you know,but that's, I think, yeah, best
than the worst part.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
I know, but I think that's a really cool way to look
at it and I think that's coolthat you used to call because I
don't know.
There's just the few, very fewthings that I've booked.
It's like my heart stops in mychest.
I usually get an email from myagent and I'm like, oh, I can
legit do this, because I thinkit's constantly trying to be
(22:38):
like can I do what I say I cando?
Can I do what I keep?
Practicing comparison gamewhere you said other people are
getting jobs and you're kind oflike okay, I'm just here.
And I don't think people realizethe time.
It's years, it's years of yourlife, and then you fall into
that.
Sometimes you'll be comparingyourself to people who they're
(23:01):
on year 20 and you're on yearfive and so, but that, combined
with this financial component ofit, which I've fallen to that
as well you just it's the Ialways say, it's the conundrum
of trying to do what you lovebut trying to pay your bills
Exactly.
So, I think, being able to takeit and have that, for you to be
(23:25):
able to recognize that you'realso, you're fulfilling your
dreams, but then this beautifulvessel of being able to then
turn around and say, hey, yougot the part, and just the joy
that comes with that, becausejoy is just infectious, giving
joy.
It always ends up coming rightback to you.
So I don't know, I love thatand I love that you recognize
(23:45):
your job and what you do as thatand I think people can get
burned out on it.
It's like you have it and youstill are like finding that joy
and recognizing the joy thatyou're passing.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Yeah, which is really cool.
Yeah, and I also feel like,thank you so much.
I also feel like I found a wayto find joy overall in
filmmaking and I feel like mebeing able to wear so many hats.
My first job since the strike isover is actually a coordinating
job.
I haven't got a call to castanything yet.
I haven't got a call to produceor direct anything yet, and so
(24:20):
but I'm not looking at it likeyou know, cause ultimately
that's the long goal.
You know I would love toproduce and direct full time,
but I'm just enjoying the moment.
I feel like we are blessed towork in an industry that most
people just watch on TV and theydon't understand the ins and
out of this business, and we getto be a part of it.
Like we're not heart surgeons,we're not caring cancer, we're
(24:42):
not even politicians.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Thank goodness, it can be there, right, you know.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
So I just feel like, wow, we're blessed to really
entertain people, and some ofyou had just said that a lot.
They may not express it, but alot of actors are thinking the
same, like I'm on my five andthey're in their 20.
Cause I used to do the samething with other cast directors
Like they are casting everythingyou know and I'm not casting
(25:12):
anything is your journey.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
You know, can't compare yourself to anybody else
.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
I like that.
You said you're trying to findthe joy and whatever it is that
you're doing, Cause that'ssomething that I really, for
2024, I enjoy and excitement,Cause I feel like I've gotten
really jaded by acting and I'vegotten I audition and I audition
and I don't book and I which isfine, Like you said, it's part
of my journey.
I've been really trying toshift my attitude and it's been
(25:38):
good.
I've gotten some good auditionsthis year and I'm like you know
what You're getting auditions.
Some people don't even getauditions and so I've just been
trying to completely shift myfocus to play.
I want to play the way.
When I was 13 years old, I justacted for the fun of it, not
because I was trying to impressanybody.
I was like there was a littlegirl who used to act and I used
(25:59):
to do it just because it was fun.
It wasn't trying to book a jobor whatever.
So I really want to get back tothat and that's what I've been
working on this year.
I really like that you are.
You're doing the same, youwhatever you're working on
whether it's coordinating,producing, directing, casting
you're finding the joy and thatthing and recognizing that it is
(26:20):
something to be grateful forthat we get to do this.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Yeah, and it is.
And I will say, and I will be100% transparent, it is hard.
Could I be an actor?
Probably not.
You know, like it is hard, likeit's a very vulnerable craft
and career and you hear no allthe time, not because you're not
great, it's just because it'sjust so much competition, you
(26:45):
know, like I said, takes a tollon and in the human to hear and
know Right.
So I can't imagine going into aroom, being in front of me and
maybe other people you neverknow who's in there and you're
vulnerable and you're doing yourbest and it's just like thank
you, and you have no idea whatthat means.
(27:06):
Right, or did you do good, didyou do bad?
And then you don't book.
And again, because it's notthat you're not good, it's
because it's hundreds of otherpeople you know going for the
same road.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I was going to ask you, looking back, is there
anything that you would dodifferently, or are you?
Which is kind of hard?
I feel like that's a toughquestion, because your journey
is your journey, but if there'sthings that you could change, or
maybe things that you wish youlearned sooner, or whatever, do
you think you would?
Speaker 2 (27:36):
I don't have any regrets.
The only thing I think I wouldhave done differently is I would
have probably PAed a littleearlier, because I remember when
I was working on the Miss Patshow I'm one of the production
executives that I've known foryears and she said to me she
said I told you years ago thatyou should work in production,
and again I just had that ego oflike I'm a casting director.
(27:58):
But during the pandemic I alsolearned to line produce, and so
that's another one of my littleside hustles too.
I do budgets and I, for indies,I line produce.
But in that journey, if I wouldhave started earlier, I probably
could have been a UPM or a lineproducer by now.
You know what I'm saying.
So I just feel like, but againnot taken away, like at the end
(28:21):
of the day I'm still a creative,and me and Afrid was just
talking about that on FridayLike, yeah, after coordinating I
can move up to supervisor, thenmove up to line producing, and
that's really good money,especially on a network show.
I said, but I'm a creative, Iwant to be a producing director,
ingo is producing director, andso I'm just really like
(28:42):
wherever that journey takes me,but I do feel as though I would
have gotten out my ego andprobably just jumped into the
studio world just a little bitsooner.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
OK, I have a question about the producing, directing,
because I have a vision in myhead of where I want to end up.
Of course, do you ever findyourself having fear about what
if it doesn't happen?
Are you like, nah, it's goingto happen.
You just are at a point whereyou're just stable and secure
with where you're at and whatyou bring to the table.
How do you, or how do you dealwith that?
(29:14):
Combat that?
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Let me tell you, I know it doesn't look it, but I'm
going to be 45 years old thisyear.
It doesn't look it, guys.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
It does not look it.
I thought this girl was like inher early 30s when I first met
her.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
So I'm going to place up it's going to happen and I'm
also.
Well, when I was in my early30s, if you would ask me, I
would have been like I don'tknow.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
And.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
I think that is why I waited tables, just for the
uncertainty of is this reallygoing to happen?
I don't know if I shared thisor not, but again, I've been
casting since 2009.
And I cast my first networkproject in 2022.
Speaker 1 (29:58):
Oh wow, I was going to say I was looking at your
credits and I was like so thisgirl's taking off like 2021,
2022, 2023.
I was like what's she gotcoming in 2024?
Oh, I don't know.
I'm going to believe somethingsoon.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
But I feel like that's the journey.
Sometimes it's quick for somepeople and sometimes it's not,
and sometimes it's therelationships and I feel like
early in my career I didn't havethe relationships to catapult
my career, I wasn't in the rightplace at the right time and I
don't know, I can't say itbecause it's my journey, but
(30:35):
when people look at things likethat and I still didn't give up
I love that.
First of all, I loved being anindependent casting director.
I love working on indie filmsonly because I felt as though I
had more of an input, whereasthese other casting directors no
shade to them, they are workingon bigger projects.
But then even me, I can't saythis is who I want.
(30:59):
I have to make choices, send itto the director who send it to
the network.
It's an approval process now,whereas when I was doing indies,
it's like doop, doop, doop,doop, doop.
This is who I like and ninetimes out of 10, that's who
we're casting.
That's cool.
So I felt as though I had moreof a say with indies.
But everybody wants to seethose names in the credit on
(31:22):
television or in a movie on abig screen.
So it was always that void forme of I love what I did, but I
always still wanted the biggerroles, the bigger projects.
I want to work on films stillthat are being nominated for
Oscars, or really dope TV shows,exactly so just having an
(31:43):
appreciation for where you are,but you still want to strive and
, in regards to producing anddirecting, it's going to happen.
I'm just claiming it and that'sjust what it's going to be.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
I love it.
I love it.
How OK with you saying that.
How do you keep yourself?
Because there's no doubt thatthis road, this journey, can be
very draining.
We talked about mental healthand just the toll it takes.
So what are some things thatyou do, if you don't mind
sharing personally, to keepyourself?
Just keep that energy up andnot let the naysayers or any of
(32:13):
that like just get you down.
Just know who you are and whatyou bring to the table.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
I started meditating.
I started meditating Once wewere working girl.
I haven't did this in a while,but I would get a massage every
week.
That is my happy place.
I love a spa day.
I love my massage therapisthe's amazing and that kept me
afloat.
But then journaling and that'swhy I created the LQ presents,
(32:41):
the Actors Journal, and then Istarted traveling.
I started finding ways to justfind I'm a Libra too.
So I need the balance.
I need the balance and, as Igot older, more self-validation.
Not so much caring what otherpeople thought, Just doing what
I wanted to do, whatever thatlooked like, just doing what
(33:04):
made LaQuanda happy.
Ok.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
OK, I had a question about your massage.
Are you a deep tissue girl orare you gentle?
Because I'm like, get in there,I'm a flower, no.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Lord, no, I'm a flower and you know what's funny
is because my massage there,but he's a man, so that I've had
deep tissue massages in this,so hurts.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Hurt so bad.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
But I think that works for something else.
But I feel like, in regards tojust relaxing, I don't want to
be beat up, that's fair.
Give me the nice knees there,you know, just go ahead and get
your elbow in there, you know,but like nice.
So I always feel very and mymassage therapist his name is
Howard, he's amazing Like he'llrub your toes, like I feel very
(33:52):
relaxed when I leave there.
You know, it's not any of thatcrazy stuff, you see on
Instagram but I'm verycomfortable and relaxed and I
absolutely love him.
Like I think again because ofthe strike I didn't do much.
I probably had like twomassages last year but, and I'm
getting one next.
Saturday I'm very excited aboutthat, but I was going every
(34:12):
single week.
That's awesome that.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
I think that's.
I think that's my new goal inlife is to be able to get a
massage every single week, CauseI get them, but I always get
like the deep tissue cause.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
I do it like once a month and I'm like all right
time to get all the stuff out,get everything out, and they're
not the most enjoyable, but Ifeel better after See, and again
, it's what that looks like foryou, Like that's me, like I love
a spa day, I love candles, likeI just love that.
So I feel like, whatever thatlooks like for you, I have a
(34:43):
friend that heights.
That's not my jam, you know,but if it's your jam, that's
what you should do.
Again, meditate, like and evenin my office when I'm
coordinating cause that could bevery stressful too Me in my
office we will close the door.
We'll pop on a five minuteYouTube, meditate, turn the
lights down for five minutes.
We are meditating.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
They say five minutes works Like they.
I mean, yeah, like you don'thave to.
I was talking to a friend ofmine about this that, like,
people have this idea that youneed to sit down and do like 20,
30 minutes.
But if you just give yourselffive minutes a day and again,
like you said, it's what worksfor you.
So like, if all you can giveyourself is five minutes a day,
that's better than givingyourself no minutes a day you
(35:25):
know no minutes a day Deepbreathing.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
I'm very big on deep breathing Like cause that always
can calm you down.
I give you a feeling reallyanxious or upset.
Take 10 seconds to do somereally deep breaths and by the
time you get to eight you canfeel your body just calming down
.
We are in a very stressfulindustry so I feel like those
things, and then life is juststressful on top of it.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
That part we like compounded it or like life's
hard, let's also choosesomething that's pretty hard.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
So I told my friend, I told a friend of mine.
I was like what was I thinking?
I don't know if this industryis really for me.
It's so stressful and it's sucha hard industry to be in.
I mean, yes, it's somewonderful people, but there's
also.
Being in the entertainmentindustry reminds me of the movie
the Devil's Advocate.
(36:16):
I don't know if you've everseen it.
If you have not, you shouldwithout Pachino.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
And Charlie Starran, and I was a cannery and you just
don't know who has the devilface or who not.
You know like you just don'tknow, right, you don't, you just
don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:33):
And I think that's the tricky part.
I think what is her name?
Amelia Clark, queen of Dragonsin Game of.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Thrones.
Speaker 1 (36:39):
OK, I want to make sure.
I said it right.
I know that's not.
I watched Game of Thrones and Ican't remember her name, the
character's name, but I knowAmelia Clark is there.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Thirsty.
Speaker 1 (36:48):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Oh, no, no, no, no, that's not Thirsty, that's
Khaleesi, Khaleesi.
All of them sound so similarYep Of the drag queen.
Speaker 1 (36:55):
Yes, yes, she had a thing in an interview where she
was like, what would theybasically had asked her what
would she say to someone whosaid I wanted to be an actor?
And she said the first thingshe'd say is are you sure?
Because she was like, althoughthis industry has given me some
of the best moments of my life,it's also given me some of the
worst.
And I was like, oh that's sotrue Because, like you said, you
(37:18):
don't know who's really in thisfor what you would hope
everybody's in it for.
But just like in life, there'sgood and there's bad, like
there's people doing stuff,that's shady and there's people
who are doing stuff, that's gota good intentions and pure heart
.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
So Exactly, and when it comes to interaction with
self and you, it's just likeeverybody's not your friend and
we need to stop acting like that, because that's how people get
hurt.
And I'm such a passionateperson that I had to read books.
I read a lot of books too, isit the four agreements, I feel
(37:52):
like, but not taking everythingpersonally.
I think.
Naturally, as a Libra, I getattached to things and I take
everything personally, and I hadto learn in this business not
to take everything personally.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
But yeah, With the directing, producing as like
your big goal, your big dream.
Do you have what you would wantto do?
Like what kind of project doyou want to share or you not
want to share?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Sometimes people have no, I sure of course I want to
be a producing director for likeepisode of television, so I
want to be able to do television.
And I love Ryan Murphy.
It's a dream to work with him.
I would love to work with him.
I'm like trying to get into hisdirector's program but I love a
(38:40):
lot of different.
We were just talking about Gameof Thrones, which to me is one
of the best TV shows ever made.
I would have loved to haveworked on Game of Thrones Power
when it was on air, which Istill watch all the installments
.
But when Power was the originalone, like I would have killed
to be on to that show and workon that show and just be a part
of the creative team.
(39:00):
But I watch literally everysingle type of show, so it's
hard.
Like I just watched Ted Lassoand was like this show was
definitely amazing.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
I loved that show.
It was so funny, so good too,and there's so many moments that
were so raw and real.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
Motivational.
Speaker 1 (39:18):
I didn't expect to have a moment where I was crying
in this comedy.
I cried a lot in Ted Lassobecause it just hit your heart.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
I'm like, oh, but the thing is I binge watched it
just a few weeks ago and wasupset.
I was pissed really.
I never could say that on yourpodcast, but I was pissed
because I don't know why.
I thought it was five seasonsand it was just three, I was
like wait, no, and like soon asI found out he was going home, I
just was like no, I was so sad,I was so sad.
(39:49):
But there I just also finishedthe morning show, so I would go
from Ted Lasso to Kane.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah, power Kane in.
You know what?
Speaker 2 (39:58):
I'm saying I am like all the Queens men, I love it,
though I just watch it, justeverything.
Speaker 1 (40:05):
I think it gives you a good mix, though, too, and it
also watching all that stuffgives you inspiration for
different things, and if you'rein goal is about a TV, which I
think is awesome.
By the way, I love TV.
I think, movies are really cool, but I've always been like dude
to have a recurring, Not arecurring Whatever.
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Recurring right, yeah , yeah, on a TV show, what you
want.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
Where you could continue building a character
over episode over episode.
I'm like that's cool, but thenI also, as the actor, I could
also get where.
If you're eight seasons downthe road, which who do I have?
I don't have a right to gripeabout anything.
This is me talking about mydreams in Wonderland right now.
I'm like, yeah, I'll take aco-star, but yeah, yeah, yeah,
(40:47):
yeah.
You know, this is down the road, liz.
I mean, I think that's so coolto be able to see something over
time.
Now, with directing, producingfor a TV show, you would
potentially you would not bethere for the whole season, you
would just speak, or would you?
Because, is that?
Speaker 2 (41:06):
So I want to direct but ultimately like so if I'm
directing I could have you know.
You could work on many shows,but I would love to be a
producing director.
On one show or you know, likemy show, whatever show, it is
Because you're involved, butthen so you're not going
anywhere.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
You know, and other directors would come in, but I'm
also a producer, so I'm stillpretty involved in the show.
That's super cool, right.
But as a director I just wantto be able to work.
Now, grinna, I don't want tosay I don't want to work on
movies, because I would love towork on movies, but I feel like
my heart would be supersatisfied and happy to be able
to hop and work on differentshows.
That just seems like the bee'sknees for me.
(41:48):
It's fun.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
I love it.
Bee's knees, it does.
Had another question.
Ok, I get so excited in theseand I'm like where am I?
What's going on Bring?
Speaker 2 (41:59):
the excitement, let's go.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
What advice would you give for people who either just
want to get in this industry orspecifically want to get into
what you're doing?
What little golden-eyed childcoming up to you.
What would you say?
Speaker 2 (42:18):
I would say the same thing that someone asked the
million-clad Like are you sure?
But it was funny about that.
I meant to add that when yousaid it, when I started casting
and I sat on a casting directorworkshop with one and she asked
me, she was like are you sure?
You sure you want to be acasting director?
(42:38):
Because we are the mostunderappreciated position 14, 15
years later, is so true?
You know, you're lucky if anactor thinks the casting
director when they get an award.
As far as entertainment, again,I feel like it's something that
you'd be really, reallypassionate about.
But just have the understandingthat this is a business, you
(43:00):
know.
It's not all glitz and glamourand it's gonna be ups and down
and it's gonna be hardship, andyou're not gonna walk through
the door and all of a suddenhave everything you want is
gonna take a lot of work and alot of passion, a lot of effort,
a lot of tears, a lot ofhardships, and is that something
you want?
It's a beautiful, beautifulindustry, it's a beautiful craft
(43:25):
, but you have to want it forthe right reasons, and to be
famous is not the right reason,and so I could give any advice.
It's just to know who you areas a person first, because that
will help with the hardships tohave a love for what you wanna
do, whatever that may be, andjust be willing to give out your
bless.
(43:45):
What are the tears for it?
Speaker 1 (43:46):
That was some great advice right there.
If you didn't hear anythingelse in this interview, just go
replay that.
It could be a littlemotivational.
Do you ever?
I'll listen to thosemotivational speeches on YouTube
sometimes?
So you just gave us a YouTubemotivational speech.
I feel like I love that.
Speaker 2 (44:04):
I love that.
I secretly wanna be amotivational speaker.
I just haven't done it.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Sorry, I swear.
Some people on Instagram.
They just make motivationalvideos every day and all of a
sudden they got millions offollowers.
When you said there's gonna bea lot of tears, I thought, yeah,
my mama see me cry a lot oftears, but God bless that woman,
she keeps going for it.
Speaker 2 (44:26):
That's not what I say .
As long as she keeps supportingyou, that's all that matters,
and I love that, because thereare a lot of people that don't
have supportive.
Oh, it took a support systemlike that.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
My parents are very supportive, but I swear.
When I finally, at 20 years old, I told my dad I was in biology
pre-med and I was like I'mgonna switch to film and pursue
acting.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I swear.
Speaker 1 (44:50):
My dad's eyes went like straight to see me under a
bridge in Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
He's like no, you're not.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
He's come around he's come around, but it took
efforts, he was like wait aminute, I was gonna have a
doctor, and now, but he's proud.
Speaker 2 (45:05):
You know what's so funny about that?
Because now I'm like theopposite of that, I think,
because I'm creative, so my kidswanna do creative things.
I'm like whatever you wanna do,but then I'm like on the other
side of my brain am I being agood thing, cause maybe I should
push them to do other things.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
I was gonna say my parents.
I don't have any artists in myback.
Well, my grandmother was apainter and stuff like that but
I don't have any performingartist or anybody who did it as
a career in my.
I have very little go tocollege, nine to five, and so I
think the artists having alittle actor come through
they're like what do we do withyou?
But they're good.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
They don't understand that they're very supportive.
No, I understand that I didn'thave any.
I didn't have a blueprint.
I think that was also.
What was hard about my journeyis just not having a blueprint,
being in a culture where I thinkpeople didn't wanna teach you
cause they were afraid you weregonna take their position, so I
didn't have a mentor either,unfortunately.
So just trying to figure it outand I have my youngest son who
(46:02):
wants to edit.
Speaker 1 (46:03):
Yeah, I remember you telling me and my oldest son.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Yeah, he wants to be an editor and my oldest son
wanted to go to school for musicand then I think I just think
college fell at the wrong timewith him in graduating high
school, during the pandemic.
It just wasn't for him.
And now he works with me onshows and he really fell in love
with craft services.
So I think that's what he wantsto do.
So you know, whatever works,you know.
(46:28):
So, but yeah, I think that'sgood though cause.
Speaker 1 (46:30):
College isn't for everyone and one of the biggest
like hang ups I would say that Ihave is one I didn't really
need to go to school for whatI'm doing.
I've learned so much more fromtaking acting classes, not in a
college setting, specificallyfor film.
And then some people they'rejust not meant for college and
(46:50):
that's fine and you can do.
People have amazing, fulfillingcareers outside of going to
college.
So I don't love that beingforced.
Speaker 2 (46:59):
No, cause I think certain I agree with that 100%
and cause I feel like certaincareer paths you need to go to
college.
Speaker 1 (47:07):
You're gonna be a surgeon.
But in regards to for sure, howlong did you go in Boyer
engineer you?
Speaker 2 (47:12):
know, but in regards to like entertainment and I'm
not telling anyone not to go tocollege, but no one has asked to
see my degrees, no one hasasked me what school I've been
went to.
No one has inquired about anyof that.
I barely show my resume.
So it just depends again on thesituation.
(47:34):
I do think it's a good idea ifyou did want to go to college,
go for like business, cause thatwas always a struggle for me.
I'm so creative that thebusiness part just kind of was a
struggle for me, cause I'm notvery business minded.
But I felt like just havingthat would have been a good
addition.
Speaker 1 (47:54):
I final question is kind of flipping the script,
changing lanes, I don't know.
However, you want to say that,so on the other side of the
camera, cause I only see my sideof the camera.
On the other side of the camera, do you feel like you are a
woman and a person of color?
Do you feel like inclusivityreally is changing and evolving?
Cause I feel like we're told itis, but maybe not as quickly as
(48:18):
it needs to be.
Speaker 2 (48:20):
No, I don't, I don't.
I feel like it's always aconstant debate, and number one
being a woman.
There's not many of women.
Speaker 1 (48:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (48:30):
And it's always.
It's always in certainpositions, but then being a
woman of color is like.
So I think being the change youwant to see is always the first
thing.
But that's just America period.
I think as long as the peoplewho are the gateholders continue
to be the gateholders and notwant to let anyone in, we will
(48:51):
always struggle with and havethese types of conversations.
I do feel like it's sad that wehave to have a conversation
whether you're a person of color, whether you're black, latino,
asian, caucasian, even on aCaucasian side, like we just
need to be people that can work,but again, as women cause
(49:13):
that's my thing, like, even aswomen, it's still hard that you
have.
You see, caucasian women stilltrying to get opportunities.
So you already know, ifCaucasian women are still trying
to fight to get in the doorpeople of color, we think it's
it, that's it.
Speaker 1 (49:28):
Well, like I know my experience how hard it is and I
can't.
And then you add on a layer ofit that I'll never understand.
But I also Ellen Pompeo, do youknow that?
Actress, okay.
Yeah, I feel like sometimesI'll say it actors, names and
people are like I don't know whoyou're talking about, but I
feel like you'll know whoever Ilist off.
(49:48):
I know, but she was in aninterview or a round table and
she was talking about how shewas at some women's show or
something like.
One of the first things shesaid when she got up on stage
was there's not enough people ofcolor in this room.
She's like, she's like.
I remember that interview, Idon't know, just something about
(50:09):
her not being afraid to get upon stage and immediately the
first thing out of her mouth waslike there's not enough
diversity in this room, there'snot enough people of color in
this room.
I just walked by so many whitepeople and that's a problem.
You know what I mean.
I mean, I get it just women ingeneral.
I like that.
I feel like the narrative'schanging a little bit, where
women are like the constantneeding to be at another woman's
(50:32):
throat, which I think is suchBS.
I want to be a person that'shelping someone up, never
pushing somebody down.
But also you can take on thatresponsibility too, of hey, like
I want to see more color inthis room, like I'm tired of
seeing snow everywhere.
I go.
Speaker 2 (50:49):
I want to go to the tropics.
I want to see some blue water,some green trees and some
yellows.
Exactly, I feel you.
I feel you.
It's so funny because, beingfrom the North and growing up in
Connecticut, I didn't realize,because where I'm from, in
Hartford, is so diverse, right,but outside of Connecticut it's
(51:11):
predominantly white.
And I didn't realize that untilI moved to Atlanta and then
went home for the first time andI was in a sand club with my
mom.
I never forget this.
This was like summer of 98.
And I looked around I'm likewe're the only black people in
the store and so when I bring mykids to Connecticut, it's kind
of a culture shock to thembecause it's like they're the
(51:32):
only black people in the store.
But I say that to say againthis country has a lot of
changing to do.
But speaking in regards to ourindustry, I was watching the
Morning Show.
That's one of the shows I justfinished and I love that one of
the roles I don't know if you'veever seen the Morning Show.
I've seen the first episode.
(51:52):
Ok, well, it's, oh gosh.
See, I shouldn't even broughtit up because now I can't think
of her name, but she plays therole of Hannah and her name was
like Hannah, shoufelle orShinefelle, whatever, and you
could tell that was not writtenfor a black woman, and I just
love that they cast a blackwoman, because I just feel like
you have these people upstairsor in rooms that are saying who
(52:14):
can play what, whereas we alllive life.
Right, it doesn't matter howmuch money we have, it doesn't
matter our class or our stature.
We all go through things.
We all have lives.
Some people may have more moneythan other people, but people
with more money still haveproblems.
They still have family issues,they still get sick, they still
experience death.
(52:34):
We are women.
We still go through menstrualcycles.
Speaker 1 (52:37):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (52:38):
We all have life experiences and they're not that
different.
We all have that crazy unclethat may come to the family
gathering drunk all the time.
It's just different, different,but it's the same.
Yeah, I know because I have alltypes of friends.
Speaker 1 (52:55):
It is, though it really it is different but the
same, like it's a different lens, but it's the same.
The emotions that you'refeeling within your body are the
same from the what you'rereceiving.
Speaker 2 (53:06):
Yeah, we all do so I just feel like it's the people
that makes the decisionsupstairs, which a lot of times,
they're just upstairs makingdecisions.
They're not even filmmakers,they're just cashing the check.
So then they have a, they havean opinion, and I feel like once
we just have more, you know,inclusive Conversations, and
then things will start to change.
They are slowly changing.
(53:27):
I don't want to say they're not, but we still have a really
long way to go.
I'd agree with that.
Speaker 1 (53:32):
Do you have anything upcoming that you can share,
that you're working on, that youcan share?
No, okay that's okay.
Speaker 2 (53:40):
I feel like right now , if it's so interesting,
because I saw something onInstagram I'll make it quick
where there was another castingdirector, caucasian male, and he
said everything I've beensaying and After the strike we
just thought it was gonna be awaterfall of projects and we
always gonna get right back towork, and that hasn't happened
yet.
I had said to someone that Ifeel like it's gonna be March,
(54:01):
you know, cuz it's like thestrike ended, then Agreements
had to be made, legal ashes hadto be done, and now the writers
rooms just kind of went back, soyou have to let them finish
right in the scripts.
So a lot of products are stillprobably in development.
So I really feel, maybe alittle bit closer to March, we
all will be getting back to thereal flow of the right.
So right now, like I said, myfirst project this year is the
(54:23):
product I'm coordinating, butyou know, hopefully something's
coming up soon that I'll becasting it will be you.
Speaker 1 (54:29):
I did see on your Instagram I'm gonna share some
of your stuff.
You, I saw I Stocked you alittle bit before this, just for
this.
Speaker 2 (54:39):
Love it, keep talking , I love it.
Speaker 1 (54:41):
Girl in the closet right.
There's that.
I have that right.
It was the first thing you didthat you cast every.
According to your Instagram,you cast all the speaking roles
on it.
Is that correct?
Okay, so I haven't seen it yet,but I saw that what I was
prepping for this this morning,so I'm gonna watch that this
week sometime.
Speaker 2 (54:57):
Oh man it's on lifetime, but it's also a bit
more whoo-hoo.
That's what I thought.
Okay, so you could go and watchit.
Yeah, so it's.
It's a tough one, it's badly,but one of those ripped from the
headline stories and itactually happened.
And I did one movie before thatOn lifetime and it was a
Christmas movie and I just didthe local Atlanta Rose, and the
(55:18):
the rose here, I mean for girlin the closet was local Atlanta
rose too.
But like literally they let uscast everyone.
Okay, you know it's set up.
You know Timmy, roman and andRemy mom, but I still did all
that.
So that that was.
That was like even though thesubject matters like I Still was
like it's my baby, because Iliterally cast every single
(55:38):
person in that movie.
That's awesome.
I love it.
Okay, good, I wanted to give me, even if you don't have
something that you know rightnow coming up.
Speaker 1 (55:45):
I was like this girl's still working.
There's stuff all over herInstagram.
Thank you Closing.
I'm gonna claim this for usbecause I love your energy and
I'm like bump casting, directing.
I want one day to get to actand you direct.
I think it would be a reallyfun partnership.
So, anyway, I'm not throw thatout in the universe, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (56:06):
Yes, I love that.
You never know, maybe I'll doit short soon.
Yeah, look, we'll see I play.
I love that.
That would be fun.
That would be fun Speaking.
Yeah, I'm here for it, allright.
Speaker 1 (56:17):
Well, thanks, thank you so much Thank you so much
for having me, of course.
It was great talking to you andif you guys could rate, review
the podcast, share it.
Let me do what I'm doing and itHelps my just get out there in
the world too, and y'all canhear their story Share it.
Speaker 2 (56:33):
Subscribe for it.
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