We had the opportunity to catch up with Brigid Turner who is a dynamic and rising director to keep an eye on in film and television. It’s great to see women in the role as director in a predominantly male industry. She is making some waves of her own.
Tell us about your latest film projects
I just completed a comedy, which I wrote, produced and directed. It is called “Just Another Summer“. I filmed it in Chicago of August 2014. The film is in post-production. Right now, I’m working on continuing to tour with my pilot series called “For A Dark Skin Girl“. It is a love story set in the 1950’s in a town where race is an issue. The story has the feel of Little House on the Prairie with the essence of Beasts of the Southern Wild. It is the biggest project I am working on thus far because I have written an entire season, I am producing it and I will be filming the season in New Orleans this fall. I believe this series is going to be a show that will touch on race and show that love is what the world needs. I want to bring back a family oriented show that everyone can watch and enjoy on a weekly basis.
What’s on the horizon for you as a director in 2015?
Brigid Turner: Well, I have a few projects that I am working on and I’m already gearing up for 2016. I don’t really want to talk about it yet; but it still incorporates films. For 2015, it’s about the series, developing who I am, enhancing my craft as a director, and changing levels. It’s all about growing.
Meanwhile, my priority is making films and getting them out to audiences. In addition to my filmmaking priorities, I model, dance, act, mentor, and direct music videos. Having those other factors in my life actually makes me more creative when I am working on a film. I am in love with creating stories and putting them on the screen.
What is the message that you hope for your audience to receive after watching your films or TV series?
Everyone wants their audience to enjoy what they are watching on the screen. For me, it’s really about telling the story visually while evoking conversation about a certain matter. I am a conscious kind of person so I really want to convey the message of love in some shape or form in my films. I am always talking about love. When viewers see this series, that’s the message I want people to get from this project (For A Dark Skin Girl the series).
The For A Dark Skin Girl project started out as a short film for me and then developed into a series. The series is about a relationship between a white boy and a black girl. Those kinds of relationships are trending right now. The focus with my series is about creating and conveying a beautiful love story. I want families to know that there are still good wholesome stories that their children can watch.
I had developed what I want my filmmaking style to be from very early on. I believe I can tell a story without using a lot of dialog. Most of my films have very little dialog. I want to excite people with my creativity and visuals with the projects I work on. I want people to know my style of filmmaking, love what they are seeing on the screen, and yearn for more from me.
Who inspires you in the Film industry that you would love to partner with?
There are so many! (she laughs) I mean not to take away from the men in the entertainment and film industry but, I’m really about empowering women and being one of those women who inspires others. For them to feel like that they can also go out and do what their passionate about.
I am really a big fan of Oprah, Ava DuVernay, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, and Angela Bassett. That’s just to name a few. These women have all had their struggles and success. Which has lead them to where they are now. It would be such an honor to work with or collaborate with any of these women. They have set a tone and raised the bar for filmmakers, directors and actors. Following in their footsteps is such a great path to go. They are truly part of my Black History.
What advice do you have for aspiring female directors?
“Pray For Discernment”. Know where to be and where not to be, who to be around and who not to be around. Don’t ever believe someone that tells you that you can’t do something. Don’t limit yourself and do your best to surround yourself with people who are like minded, who sees your vision, and who has achieved what you want to achieve.
Study others in your field, read film materials, take some seminars, watch a lot of movies, and learn what to do and what not to do in this industry. Don’t try to fit in because we are all unique. These will assist you when it comes time to making crucial decisions.
You can learn more about her film projects and television series by following her on social media as well as visiting her websites.
Photo credits: Sylvia Torres: Courtesy of Brigid Turner
http://www.foradarkskingirl.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-A-Dark-Skin-Girl/204879376336848?fref=ts
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqlCy0UbJfK1U3yfH30Zrw
Twitter is @FADSG2013
Instagram is @Foradarkskingirl2013
http://brigidturner.com
http://imdb.me/brigidturnerHYPERLINK “http://imdb.me/brigidturner%A0″
http://facebook.com/brigidturnerHYPERLINK “http://facebook.com/brigidturner%A0″
http://facebook.com/pages/Brigid-Turner/17551941232?ref=hl
http://twitter.com/brigidotHYPERLINK “http://twitter.com/brigidot%A0″
http://instagram.com/nastalliagon