We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dani Coleman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I honestly feel like each of my projects so far has been meaningful, mainly because they each stem from my real-life experiences. Crafting character-driven narratives that effortlessly blend elements of heartache, humor, and controversy while naturally amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, especially Black Women gives meaning to every project I write or direct.

My very first short film; Finding Sunshine was a look at overcoming depression to find a sense of peace and happiness. I pulled from my previous relationship experiences and actually wrote it while I was still in a depressive state. My current project; The Other Side of Fair is a satirical drama about racism, microaggressions, and injustice. Although told in a light-hearted and hilariously relatable way, It was inspired by an unfortunate run-in I had with law enforcement in December of 2021, In which I was treated like a criminal, and greatly mishandled on account of “mistaken identity”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an award-winning actress, writer, and independent filmmaker who’s dedicated to telling authentic and relatable stories that give a glimpse into real-life situations from a unique perspective. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and I’ve always been influenced by its expansive black culture and fast-paced lifestyle which, coupled with studying and living in places like Tallahassee, Florida for college, Los Angeles, California, And currently, Atlanta Georgia has helped to cultivate my passion for human connection through the art of visual storytelling.

I’ve always been very creative. My mother introduced me to various disciplines of art and music from a very young age. My first dive into the creative world started during my sophomore year of college when I formed a Fashion Troupe called “Reflections Modeling Troupe” in which I brought local models, fashion designers, and other creatives together to put on fashion shows and artistic presentations around campus and other venues. After college, I began working various production jobs as a production assistant in whatever department needed me, Art, wardrobe, locations, Production office…you name it I was there. My hunger to learn the business from all angles helped to shape the creative versatility I’m known for today.

Fast forward to currently, I am a freelance music video producer and creative director. I create visual concepts for the music videos of many well-known artists. I also run my own production company (Mastermind and Muse Productions, LLC) In which I put out original short films and web series.

I believe my ability to adapt to any situation and work efficiently, and independently both in front of and behind the camera sets me apart from many creatives. My years of experience make me well-versed in the various needs of bringing any production to life.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The year was 2019, I was at an in-person call back from a major network television show, sitting in the waiting room getting ready to go inside the audition room when I received an email from my then-agents letting me know that they had decided to cut me from their roster and would no longer represent me, despite me being under their representation at that very moment for the role I was going up for. They assured me, It wasn’t personal, just business. They had decided they wanted to tighten up their roster and only focus on a select few talents.

I remember taking the news surprisingly well, deep down I knew it was time to part ways. They just didn’t… get me. A few days later while scrolling through Instagram a post popped up about a short film competition in Atlanta. As I read the guidelines for the submission process I knew I had a story to tell. I wrote my first film that night. My friends and I shot the film 9 days later, and 3 weeks after that my first film “Finding Sunshine” was showcased at that competition. I won Best film overall, and I’ve been writing and directing my own films ever since. My latest project “The Other Side of Fair” will be my 7th film since 2019

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I’ve honestly built my audience organically by being transparent and authentic with them. I’ve always been open to sharing my journey as a creative by sharing the highs and lows of it all, bringing them behind the scenes, and showing my personal process for creating. I believe being relatable to my viewers has kept the followers around and steadily growing over the years. I’ve never felt pressure to follow trends or do anything that wasn’t true to who I am.

My advice: Just be yourself. Build it and they will come !!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-other-side-of-fair–2/x/33026958#/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdanicoleman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thedanicoleman

Image Credits
Jess Carp Ira Carmichael