With momentum from BET, got a job from @Essence to direct the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FEST. Had no clue what I was doing, but did it. 16 cameras in the Superdome. Still one of my faves.
That year, I also made a short doc about Katrina survivors for @tvonetv.pic.twitter.com/Uw8ncPcN8O
-
-
Show this thread
-
All along, I was taking a script I’d written to studios with the help of Gina + Reggie Bythewood. No one bit. Started studying indie scripts. Wrote I WILL FOLLOW, used my savings, bartered equipment, distributed within my community, Ebert championed it.pic.twitter.com/xeBkvrM4Zh
Show this thread -
Used the small profits from I WILL FOLLOW to make the script that the studios had denied: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Partnered with my neighbor Howard and made it in 19 days in South Central LA. I remember every day with David, Emayatzy, Omari and the crew. I treasure them. 2011.pic.twitter.com/8C07mnbVeB
Show this thread -
If there was a moment that changed things, it was getting into + winning at
@sundancefest. I wish it didn’t take this to give myself - and everyone else - confidence in me. But it did. The next day, I left my job to try to be a full-time filmmaker. 2012.pic.twitter.com/oMPynHIaUsShow this thread -
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE was distributed by hand via a community model I founded called AFFRM. We launched with three nights of dinners at Sundance to discuss the state of black film. Remember that
@BarryJenkins? AFFRM was the seed for what is now@ARRAY. Now, 9 years strong.pic.twitter.com/u3ucFfeGroShow this thread -
After winning Best Director at Sundance, my phone rang 3 times. No movies. But three opportunities that were a big deal for me. And for which I am immensely grateful. The first was
@Prada. They offered me the chance to make a fashion film. I called friends. We made THE DOOR.pic.twitter.com/9oUZHlCLlb
Show this thread -
The second was given to me by the legend
@shondarhimes and the talented director@tomverica. I got to direct an episode of my very favorite show at the time: SCANDAL.@kerrywashington@tonygoldwyn + the cast were kind. The experience made me want to give it to others.pic.twitter.com/fVJ8CnYK2cShow this thread -
The third post-Sundance gig came from the good folks at
@ESPN Films. A documentary for their women-centric spin-off of@30for30. I pitched them a story most didn’t know involving the great Venus Williams. VENUS VS was born. I love this film. 2013.pic.twitter.com/LK8pgptTX1Show this thread -
The next film came because my friend David Oyelowo wanted to play Dr. King. He convinced the producers to try me after many directors had left the project. I wrote a script for the budget they had, which got it greenlit. And we began. SELMA. 2014.
pic.twitter.com/qyDQiEpzHcShow this thread -
After SELMA, I was trying to figure out my next move and spent some lovely time making a series of three commercials with a few superstars thanks to
#JimmyIovine. Mary J. Blige. Kerry Washington Taraji Henson For@AppleMusic 2015pic.twitter.com/tW6yl537FrShow this thread -
Then, I got to give the experience I had directing SCANDAL to other women who the industry was not calling.
@Oprah encouraged me to create my own show. Warner Bros supported me producing it the way I wanted. QUEEN SUGAR. 2016. Still going strong.pic.twitter.com/xw4wBqEbDcShow this thread -
While making QUEEN SUGAR, I was also making a secret documentary with
@Netflix. It was never announced. No one knew it existed until Kent Jones selected it as the@NYFF Opening Night film. First doc to ever open the fest. 13TH 2016pic.twitter.com/9J7GPQkWNzShow this thread -
Then, Disney invited me onto A WRINKLE IN TIME. I jumped at the chance to work on a film with a black girl saving the universe. Based on Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 novel. Crew + cast were stellar, especially the exquisite
@stormreid. Tesser Well!
2018pic.twitter.com/5KW3bS7RLO
A Wrinkle In Time
Disney's A Wrinkle In Time - Official Teaser TrailerShow this thread -
The Smithsonian invited me to create a film installation for the National Museum of African-American History and Culture that would live at
@NMAAHC for the next decade. I pitched a little known black history fact, called friends and “AUGUST 28” was born.pic.twitter.com/85lW4aY6brShow this thread -
I made a short film with Jay-Z for his 4:44 album called FAMILY FEUD. Called many pals to appear in this project, which imagines a world where the Constitution has been rewritten by women. The story spanned 400 years. My first + only music video. 2018.pic.twitter.com/ShXP5AtWJY
Show this thread -
And over the past four years, I worked on the story of 5 boys of color and their families. People who had been demonized and labeled criminals. People who were innocent. Once known as The Central Park 5. Now, The Exonerated 5. WHEN THEY SEE US 2019 https://twitter.com/WhenTheySeeUs/status/1134130671717240833/video/1 …
Show this thread -
So many beautiful professional moments over the past decade. A Barbie doll. Being a part of the Cannes jury. The cover of Time. And the most beautiful of all, buying our
@ARRAYNow campus and building the@AmandaCinema.pic.twitter.com/KqzkzAwjeu
Show this thread -
Thanks to anyone who rooted for me this decade. Who encouraged me. Who worked by my side as crew, exec or cast. Who came to see one of my films or watched an episode. Who shared a kind word in public or smiled at me from afar. Who prayed for me. I’m eternally and deeply grateful.pic.twitter.com/9jFPZ9zT4d
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.