Check out Chinwe
Watch "LOVEBITES" on  @Issa Rae Presents - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QaCrUHnz_8
IG - instagram.com/chinwefilms
IG (Elephant) - instagram.com/elephantshortfilm
Elephant Short Film - https://www.gofundme.com/f/elephant-a-dark-comedy
Elephant Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hNdKJn

I remember when I realized how limited my resources were as a young black woman. I was in LA at the time, finishing up my undergrad in film through UT’s domestic study abroad program (UTLA). To utilize the program, you had to pay an additional fee + your usual tuition costs. You also had to handle your costs for food, gas, and other basic utilities, which came at a higher California price tag compared to Texas. My peers would talk about the fun things they were doing while completing the program. Concerts, excursions, etc. It took me a month or two to comprehend HOW that was happening. I barely had enough money to cover feeding myself and getting back and forth from my unpaid internships.

Then it finally hit me. They were funded. To be fair, I was too. My parents and I worked out a monthly budget for my time in LA and the scholarships I had gotten earlier on in my undergraduate degree had helped to offset these new costs. It was in those months that I realized, my resources (though more than most) could not compare to my peers. I was already starting off behind. I couldn’t afford to go explore and let serendipity happen. I couldn’t afford to take the time to work on sets for free and collaborate across to build connections. I had to be focused with my energy and time and ultimately, I had to come back to Texas after my semester in California concluded.

This is not a pity post. Coming back to Texas and jumpstarting my career here was the best (and necessary) decision I could have made for myself. I say all this to continue the discussion. “We need more people of color in filmmaking!” Is something I see a lot, especially now, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, saying that and creating an industry that cultivates that are two very different things. Filmmaking is a rich person’s game. Periodt. So what does it look like to create space for more diverse storytellers? Ionno but Chinwe Okorie and I talk shop about the struggles of it all in this episode. I’m curious to know your thoughts!

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