Producing Like Never Before

It seems like yesterday (33 years ago) I started out managing recording artist, producers and songwriters. Fast forward to working in the studios. I had my first film job at 20th Century Fox in Production Legal. I think that is where I got the bug for producing. I started seeing movies differently. I started to look at them for the value in rights vs. production. By 1999 I had worked at Paramount, UPN and found a long term home at Trimark Pictures which later became Lions Gate Films aka Lionsgate Entertainment.

Let me just say I had no idea what I got myself into. I came there as a contractor and before I knew it I was heading up the Library as the head of Jaguar for Domestic U.S. Rights. I looked up and I had validated the entire North American library with help of a great team. That team is the reason I was brought on to handle the library. Little did they know I was eying a job in production which never took place. But I was blessed to meet an amazing woman married to the President of Productions who took me under her wing. She would listen to my ideas and tell me how to move them forward.

In 2003 I went to see Tyler Perry at the Wilshire Eble Theater in Los Angeles. He made he normal speech about buying his DVD's and to not bootleg them. I kind of laughed to myself as I had just seen them in the trunk of a guys car for sale. Tyle said he would be in the lobby to meet, greet and sell his DVD's. I purchased 3 sets of the 7 package DVD's. I actually dropped one off with the President of Production. I told him "This is what Black people want to see and pay their money for." I told him how Tyler would sell-out in 1 to 2 days.

In 2005, I left Lions Gate to go to another company. I awoke one morning to a basket and delivery guy with an envelope in his hand. I looked past him and here was a delivery guy with a basket with balloons. I realized someone had a birthday or had passed away (maybe). My good friend who wants to remain out of the hoopla, had sent me the press release for TP signing a 7 picture option agreement with Lions Gate. They also included some goodies for me. I had never been so happy to see something I had pushed hard being made. However, to hear one of the Executives act like he did this all on his own hurt deeply.

Then a special man, Michael Paseornek acknowledged me for being smart and bright enough to know the value of my worth. I watched Tyler soar and he never once said "Thank You." He actually told someone I was a secretary (LOL). I was like UM=, NO dear! I will tell anyone my best job and I've worked at multiple studios big and small; Lions Gate is one of the best companies in world.

Fast-forward to the present! I met my business partner last year. She is truly amazing. She told me together we could SOAR! Honey, trust me, we are soaring like eagles. We have produced our first film together. We now have over 9 projects pending and we are extremely busy. From Paranormal, Horror to kids shows; we have it all. Stay tuned to see what we do next.