[CYNICAL SPOTLIGHT] On @blackandsexytv ‘s Very Own Helen Banks – @misshelenbanks
We’re continuing our spotlight this week with one of the young stars of Black & Sexy TV, playing “Denise” on ‘That Guy,’ writer, director, actor and producer, Helen Banks! As a triple threat, Helen Banks is on the rise, producing stories that reflect the world we live in.
Starting your production company in 2010, Icelean Marshall Productions, what are some of the major struggles you face being a jack of all trades (actor, writer, director, producer)?
HELEN: One of the major struggles would have to be learning how to balance all of the titles equally. I have learned to prioritize. As the writer have a vision for the project and that is what is most important to me so when I am onset the director and producer hats are worn more prominently than any of the others.
What are some of the methods you use to market and fund your productions?
HELEN: I can honestly say that I have a strong friends and family support base through my social media facebook page. The first time I posted anything about one of my personal projects I received lots of love and support, people I had not talked to in years were re-posting and commenting, so social media has played a huge role in helping me get the word out. I have also had two very successful campaigns through the crowd source funding site IndieGoGo for my film related projects but when it comes to raising money I won’t stop there. One of my films was accepted into the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival’s Short Film Corner in 2013. I was happy enough with just having over there however, my friends and family convinced me that I should actually travel to France and be there to experience what could be a once in a lifetime chance. I only had one month to raise the funds. I created a campaign that was going well however, I knew as a independent filmmaker you have got to learn to put pride aside and be resourceful. So, I stood on the street corners of major intersections in Los Angeles holding up signs asking for donations, I contacted my hometown newspapers and media to get local support and I made personal phone calls, text messages and sent letters whenever I could. I really believe you must be personal and really show people you mean business in order for them to take you seriously and want to donate to something you really believe in that they may not. With only one week left in my campaign,(while I was standing with my sign on a corner near UCLA) I received a email notifying me of an anonymous donation of $2,500, the remaining balance I needed for the trip. Won’t HE do it! To this day I don’t know the person who made that donation but whenever I get discouraged or start to doubt myself I think about that and reminds me that I am here at this time for this reason, so keep going. You don’t know how many pair of stranger’s eyes God has watching you willing to invest in your dreams.
As a person who is multi-talented, how do you balance all the things that you’re passionate about?
HELEN: I am learning to focus on one thing at a time. I am in a phase of wanting to create so that is what is taking over right now, before it was acting so although I would still write I was more focused on auditioning and getting roles. I can’t truly serve them all justly at once so I must have seasons.
Writing a short film like “Positive,” that tells the story of young Black women dealing with HIV/AIDS, is very taboo for a young creative, how do you choose the topic and the content that you write about?
HELEN: I wrote Positive after reading an article about the statistics of black women who were contracting the virus at a higher rate than other women. The women were not drug abusers or prostitutes but in college, smart, young, some married and it really made me think about being one of those women. How would I respond to life and love. Would I be able to date and meet men? When would I tell them? What would that process be like? I wanted it to shed a little light on the topic as well as bring awareness because so many women my age where being affected.
As young Black star that most people would consider pretty successful, how do your evaluate success?
HELEN: HA! When I can create and get the funding for my projects with minimal hassle is when I think I will be able to say I have accumulated a notated amount of success.
Give us a little background on your upcoming film “She Ain’t Got A Man.”
HELEN: Yes! She Ain’t Got a Man is a project I am very excited about because I know there are so many women who will and can relate to the film. I came up with the idea for the film after being single in LA for…some time and noticing how many of my beautiful friends were in the same boat. I thought about it and wondered if it was really our focus on our careers or if it was our attitude and the expectations we have when dating men. I interviewed intelligent and successful women and men to get their input and then I wove a fictional storyline throughout to help further address the unspoken issues. I think as black women we sometimes don’t take the time to assess what could be our own issues when dating so I wanted to bring a film that would generate dialogue about the topic of black male and female relationships. I am happy that it is resonating with so many people who have watched it in the film festivals. I am looking to turn it into a feature and going even further with it by traveling and getting a more diverse input about the topic.
Thanks to Helen for sharing her story with us! Check out the trailer for “She Ain’t Got A Man” here and make sure to follow updates on the project here!
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