Director Deanna Chandler Talks the Upcoming Release of Her Movie "Reflections"
Deanna Chandler Walks the Red Carpet at the Premiere for Reflections
“I am truly motivated by being creative and by challenging myself to do something I’ve never done before. I think when I am allowed to be myself and as creative as I choose whether someone likes it or not this drives me to be a success story.”
By: Omar Cook
Director and actress Deanna Chandler is set to release here feature film, Reflections! Chandler wears multiple hats as an actress, writer, director, producer, and entrepreneur from Fort Worth, Texas. Chandler was born in Augsburg, Germany but grew up in Texas. She attended Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, and graduated with a Speech Communication degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Chandler is a mother of two beautiful children, Madisyn (17) and Braylon (26) and she adores being the one they look up to. Deanna has been creating a name for herself in stage, film, music and recently the beauty industry as CEO of HAKD BEAUTY LLC. Her first short film Jaded Reflections derived from her first attempt at a feature script and was a complete success. Her purpose with her production company, German Girl Productions, is to allow people to showcase their God given talents in various ways through film, television, print, music and other forms of entertainment.
Her IMDB credits include He’s For The Streets as (writer), Secrets and Yards, Reflections, Lady Luck, Lady Luck Two, Carter High, Texas Voodoo Zombies, Jerico, In the Meantime, Battle Line, Deceitful Keystrokes, Signed Sealed n Delivered, A Child’s Cry, Love You Later, The Park, and many more. Deanna has a passion for acting and most of all enjoys acting, producing, writing, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams in entertainment. Her hobbies include, writing, shopping, interior design, and cooking.
Reflections Official Movie Trailer
WE TALKED WITH Deanna chandler IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, CHECK IT OUT BELOW!
How long have you been working in entertainment and how did you get started?
Deanna Chandler: I have been working in entertainment since 2003. That’s 20 years of experience in this industry. It all started when I was invited to audition for a gospel stage play while I was attending an acting class. After sharing my passions with one of my best friends, she told me about an upcoming stage play and the director invited me to audition in the living room of her home. I was immediately cast as the lead “Gina”, in my first acting debut. As far as my career in film, I landed an opportunity to become an extra in a film project in 2011. A friend of mine was the lead in a movie, and he invited me to be a background actor. I’ve been working in the film industry ever since.
Who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are some people that you look to for inspiration?
Deanna Chandler: I believe the biggest influence in helping me along the way has been my uncle, actor, playwright Eugene Lee. I remember watching him in “Women’s of Brewster’s Place and Menace to Society and admiring his talent. I’d always find myself asking his advice and he would always say, “Perfect your craft” with a sternness and assurance that that is the only way to achieve success in this industry. He has been an influence since I was 14 years old. I watched and followed his work and I hope to share the screen with him someday.
Secondly, I have to say my peers in the industry have also been an influential part of my career. You learn from others along your journey that plant those nuggets along the way. My influences have been people I learned from on stages and film sets, such as writer/producer Tricia Woodgett, Ted Ramasola, Kendrick Mays, LaShirl Smith, Fredrick Alanzo, Ronald Clemons, Nicole Carouthers, Rachel Brittenham, Eric Window, Genine Ware, Calvin Walker, Khadijah Karriem and many more.
I’ve also always been inspired by those greats such as Phylicia Rashaad, Diahann Carroll, Taraji P. Henson, Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Tisha Campbell, Denzel Washington, Omari Hardwick, Martin Lawrence, and Jamie Foxx. I admire these ladies and gentlemen’s work ethics and talents, always have and always will.
How did you come up with the idea for your feature film “Reflections” and what are your plans for the movie? What messages were you trying to send with this film?
Deanna Chandler: I’m a huge believer that as a people we are always quick to judge one another and their sexual preferences, but if we would focus on our own issues, and reflect on the things to fix our own mess then life would be so much clearer for everyone. I have a cousin who presented this arranged marriage concept to me years ago, I started writing Jaded Reflections in 2012 as a feature. Didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but by researching and asking people in the industry that had already done it, I was able to figure things out.
Then I produced a short version of the film in 2015 just to test my skills in production. Now, I have added to the short with a new prospective, added new cast members and made it a book club meeting topic of discussion. The film is funny, it’s real, and it tells the story of an arranged marriage between an ex-model and a celebrity football player who is hiding his truth from the world, and the model is sacrificing her morals for financial gain.
In Reflections movie we see six girlfriends who are reflecting on what they would and wouldn’t do in relation to this situation. When we reflect, we see our own self. It’s simply awareness of one’s own knowledge, one’s own assumptions and past experiences in order to change or improve our own behaviors. Everyone can relate to that right?
Deanna Chandler Poses With the Cast of Reflections at the Red Carpet Premiere
What do you feel is your favorite role and why? Do you have a dream role?
Deanna Chandler: That’s a hard one, Let’s see, I want to say my favorite role so far out of my entire career was…drum roll please! Listen, can I share some of my top favorite roles. First up is Gina, because it was my first, it was where I had to pull deep and challenge myself as an actress. I’d never been on stage before, ever and I was lead, that was huge for me. She was real, she was a mother, she was a daughter with real issues.
Then next up, I’d have to give it to the role of “Tammy” in Lady Luck, my first feature film. I was cast as a supporting actress. Now this one was special because of how I got the role. During auditions I didn’t know any better, but I literally left the audition space and went up to the casting director and got in their face to deliver my lines because that’s how serious I was trying to bring the heat, lol... I probably was almost not cast for this reason, but they saw how passionate I was in bringing the character to life, so I guess I did something right. Tammy was a protector, and she loved her sister, and the character had a lot of issues as well that many could relate too, such as sexual abuse and sibling rivalry.
Finally, I give it up to my character “Brooke” in Reflections Movie. In my first lead role written by myself. Brook is one of my favorites because I felt I could say and do whatever I felt, she is human, and she has flaws, secrets, and confidence like no other. She is a psychologist who loves people, and loves hanging out with girls, but she has some issues that she deals with as well. I’d say that she’s one of my favorites because she genuinely plays the peacemaker, the friend that everyone loves and respects. That is a quality that I truly possess so I can relate to Brooke. Not every detail of Brooke’s life, but you’d have to watch the film to understand. Brooke is funny, with a touch of classy, sassy, she’s real and speaks her mind when asked her position or her thoughts? Now, that’s me.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Deanna Chandler: I am truly motivated by being creative and by challenging myself to do something I’ve never done before. I think when I am allowed to be myself and as creative as I choose whether someone likes it or not this drives me to be a success story. I define success as whenever the individual achieves their goals and even succeeds their goals that is a true success story. As long as they are happy and striving to achieve their goals that is all that matters.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Deanna Chandler: I have had to sacrifice time with family and friends at times, time away from a few of my children’s events, but not too many, and to be real a lot of money that I didn’t have, but somehow I always get it done. Did I mention sleep? Most of all I must say that hard work and sacrifice is the only way to make your dreams come true. You have to forget about what people say, or think, because they will never understand YOUR DREAMS, because they are for you!
What aspect of working in the industry excites you most?
Deanna Chandler: How a team comes together and creates a project, and the reward at the end is seeing the finished product come together. It starts with words on a page, but by the time it’s finished, it is a beautiful film, or song that you have put your energy and heart into to make it a reality. I believe the most exciting part is inspiring someone to want to follow their dreams. That makes me so happy!
What projects can we look forward to in the future?
Deanna Chandler: I’ve been working on “Sweet Tweet” writing it as a series. I have an amazing team of writers who have been working alongside me to get this project out there. I am an associate producer of a new T.V. Pilot called “Secrets and Yards” In which I play Carla Mathews. I am so excited for this one, the cast is amazing. I also have been cast in several film productions in the DFW area. So great things ahead. Also, I can’t forget my beauty line, I’m planning an advertising campaign like no other, so stay tuned for new HAKD BEAUTY products launching soon. So, yes I have a busy year ahead of me for sure.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the entertainment industry?
Deanna Chandler: Perfect your craft, take classes and workshops to be better because you are never too good to stop learning. Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready. Most importantly handle the business side of things when it comes to this industry. Have your attorney read the contracts and learn from those who are willing to show you the ropes. I have people I can call right now and ask questions and they are willing to assist because I have never burned bridges. You never know when you may need someone in this industry.
Most of all stay true to yourself. Remember to remain humble, keep God first in all you do, pray and do the work and watch how you treat others. Why? Someone is always watching! Create to inspire and motivate someone else and watch how your life will be elevated because you selflessly gave a damn about someone other than yourself.
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