Mentors & Teachers

"My grandmother, who's also been part of my guidance, a Black lady who was a school teacher, I asked her for money. She gave me a certain amount, but I needed more. She asked for my business plan. I did my storyboards and laid out everything I was shooting, and she gave me $6,000 in a paper bag to match Warner Brothers' money. That's how I started my company, Stradle Films, and we went on to make millions, but it all started from that paper bag that she gave me. I said, Jeff, I want to direct, and he said sure. He gave me a track, and I found a producer, and we made this video. Pina Bausch was one of those pivotal people that influenced me as a director, as a filmmaker."