Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Rooks and Cherhonda Gunn.
Traci and Cherhonda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Ironically enough we met at a fan event for the TV show Scandal in Los Angeles. We clicked right away and during the process of getting to know each other found out we both loved to write. At the time Cherhonda was writing plays for her church back in Ohio, and Traci was in
Houston writing an array of stories that ranged from sci-fi to fan-fiction, so we decided to try writing together. After doing a few writing prompts over the computer and learning each other’s writing styles we decided to work on our first screenplay. We finished it, placed in the hands of two guys in the industry who loved it and wanted to produce it but misrepresented the story. and eventually stole the footage.
We had two choices after that experience; to either let it sour us toward the filmmaking process and industry as a whole or use it as a catalyst to tell our stories in a way that was an authentic representation of who we are. We chose the latter. Traci went out and learned everything about directing, we both learned editing, found us a crew and RowdyGunnshy Productions was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Being Indie filmmakers in Houston versus LA, NY or even Atlanta comes with many challenges, the most prominent being finding financing and representation.
RowdyGunnshy Productions – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We’re independent filmmakers who specialize in filmmaking and screenwriting. What we’re most known for is how we run our set, the integrity in which we conduct business and the respect we show to our cast members and production crew.
This is also what we are most proud of as a company as well our very first short film getting into the Houston Comedy Film Festival and receiving a best actress nomination and best-supporting actor win and having our first feature screenplay selected as a finalist in the 2016 American Black Film Festival, which is the largest and most influential of it’s kind in the nation.
What sets us apart from others is our refusal to be pigeonholed to any particular type of story or genre. We don’t write the “black girl” stories or the trendy topics. We write and produce what we want to see and sometimes it’s science fiction, drama, comedy or historical and other times it may be a documentary on diversity.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
We measure success by living outside of the film industry with limited resources, yet taking an idea to completion then being able to look at the finished product, brought to fruition by sheer grit and determination, and have it remain true to our vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rowdygunnshyproductions.com
- Email: Rowdygunnshyproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rowdyrooksy @gunnshy @rowdygunnshyproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rowdygunnshyproductions/
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