Meet: B. Danielle Watkins!

 Introduce yourself and profession to our readers: I am B. Danielle Watkins filmmaker, screen writer, author, director, producer, and actress.  I was the first African American Director to be featured in the only all lesbian film festival in the United States of America, Cinema Systers, and the only African American woman to write, produce, and star in a REVRY Original Series, 3030. 

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest? After my third novel was released, I was presented with the opportunity to be on a new show. Once I sent my resume the producer realized I was a writer and asked me if I preferred to be the talent or behind the scenes, and as the introvert I am (lol) I chose behind the scenes.  Soon thereafter I wrote my first screenplay, and it just snowballed from there.

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit? Never plan your life, because it will not go that way.  Take what you love and run with it, that way your passion can plan itself.  When you have no control you can have no fear.  Just do it.

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it: One of the the hardest professional challenges I've faced as a filmmaker has been the level of rejection that comes with being a film festival circuit contender.  To submit to several festivals and know there is a chance to not be accepted is one thing, when you've never done it before, but once those rejection emails start flowing it is a totally different experience. 

I had to learn the tricks of the trade, and that rejection did not lessen the quality of the work.  I needed to educate myself on the film festival system, and what not being selected really meant.  Once I did that, those emails became easier to receive, and now I am at a point I am not phased at all.

What is next for your brand/business in 2018? I haven't taken on many new projects for 2018 as it has been focused on the second season of my REVRY Original Series "3030" which is a pretty large production.  Between producing, writing, and traveling between film festivals 2018 is pretty much booked, but trust me I always have SOMETHING u my sleeve.

How can readers connect with you online and through social media? 
My website (www.bdaniellewatkins.com) is always an option.  I am on Facebook as B. Danielle Watkins, and my Twitter and Instagram are both @blacbutterflii.