Q: Do you believe in a higher power? (Love, God, Universe, Grace, Spirit, whatever.) Why? Why not?
A: I 100% believe in a high power. I need to believe in something greater than myself, than humanity. This belief forces me to demand the very best of myself.
Q: Why must you make films? (I mean, let's be honest, only a crazy person would choose to do it)
A: I tried another career. I am a recovering attorney. I felt like the walking metaphor for a Raisin in the Sun. My passions and dreams did not dry up but festered like a sore. Living that life, literally suffocated me. I think that once I became spiritually centered, I was able to take that leap of faith and follow what I believe is my purpose in life which is telling stories about those who live on the fringes of society. I guess there’s some connection between that and my wanting to be an attorney.
Q: If you were at a dinner party and had to pick one of these topics for the group to discuss (sex, politics, money, religion, death, food, reincarnation) -- what would it be and why?
God really, do I have to choose just one?! I want to talk about them all. But since there’s a gun to my head, I would choose religion. I find the history of religion truly fascinating. I think that outside of Shakespeare, the Bible is one of the greatest books every written!
Q from Sian Heder: If you had a time machine and could visit any time in history (or in your life) when + where would you go?
A: I wish I could go back about three years to see my grandmother prior to her passing.. I wish I had been a more loving and attentive granddaughter. I wish that I had been there with her when she took her last breath. To tell her goodbye and that I loved her. I didn’t say it often enough. It’s one of my deepest regrets.
Q: Make up a question for me to ask the next director I photograph. You can ask ANYTHING — just please be respectful.
A: What's the best advice you've received from a mentor regarding life, and/or career (must be advice that's had some material impact on your life)? Mine was happiness takes courage. I can't tell you how that saves me everyday.
Q: The last time I had Déjà vu? What does Déjà vu mean to you?
A: Seriously, this is a tough question. Who really logs their deja vu? I can barely remember what happened an hour ago. But I can answer what Déjà vu means to me. It’s this visceral feeling; sometimes an out of body experience, that this experience occurring now, in this very moment, happened to me before….
Q: What made you laugh last? When is the last time you cried? Why?
A: The last time that I can remember laughing was at Thanksgiving with my family. They crack me up! They’re Jamaican, enough said!
The last time I cried was last night. I’m doing research on ALS for a project. I started watching a bunch of videos on YouTube last night and it led me to Lou Gehrig’s ‘luckiest man in the world’ speech. It was my first time watching it. I was in awe of his positivity after his ALS diagnosis and being forced to retire from baseball. He knew the debilitating outcome of his diagnosis and yet he stood before thousands and said he was the luckiest man alive. It left me in tears. What a beautiful spirit.
Q: Lastly, tell the people about your next project and where they can see your work. Thank you!
A: I’m finishing up my AFI Directing Workshop for Women short film, Blood Is Upon Them. It’s tackles the issue of corrective rape. I’ll keep you posted on where you can see the film!