We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chante Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chante below.

Chante, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I believe most projects, if you think about it, hold meaning. Eye of the beholder, right? Growing up, 80s underdog movies like The Karate Kid, The Boy Who Could Fly, and Never Ending Story gave me hope that one day maybe I would fit in. Recently, I binge-watched “Living Single,” a 90s sitcom. I realized it had been a while since I laughed so freely and continuously. Everything that had been weighing on me didn’t feel so heavy. That’s the power of art and creativity – the ability to craft an experience that genuinely impacts someone in a particular moment. My current film, Hold On, embodies that philosophy. It serves as a love letter to black men and families, those who are ill, as well as to those grappling with the loss of a loved one or caring for someone with a terminal illness, who might feel alone. It’s also for those who may be battling suicidal thoughts. It’s my way of saying, ” I get it. It’s not easy and you may feel like there’s no way through. Let’s take one step at a time, hold on, this is a moment. It’s a moment.”

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

I’m a filmmaker, writer, actor, director, and occasional editor, as well as the founder of Trance Ending Films. I established Trance Ending Films because the type of stories I write often touch on taboo subjects. Emotion is at the heart of my work, and my narratives can sometimes feel uncomfortably close to reality. However, my ultimate goal is to provide comfort through my storytelling.

Additionally, I have a deep appreciation for memories and dreams, much like my favorite filmmaker Christopher Nolan. I enjoy incorporating elements of magical realism and sci-fi into my films, which adds mystery and a little fun.
My latest project, “Hold On,” utilizes memories and the hero’s journey as a means to tell a deeply emotional story. I’m truly proud of this film because, despite the heavy subject matter, the cast and crew poured their hearts into it, creating a truly beautiful piece of work. I am beyond grateful for their dedication and contribution.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Oh, definitely! There’s one project in particular that drives me and it’s called Silence Between Us. This film truly feels bigger than me. It’s what my team and I call the “third rail”. In NY, I’m a native New Yorker, the third rail is the one that, if touched, can kill you. It’s such a charged film, not only because it’s personal but also because it’s about generational cycles of sexual abuse. When you consider the topic and how society has failed to tackle the issue of sexual abuse, it’s a tall order. And it’s a hard story to tell. And the biggest question isn’t even: how do I get people to want to see it? Though that’s one of them. It’s how do I leave them with something that they can use for themselves, like a tool that they can pull out of their emotional toolbelt in their time of need? Everything I do now is in service of learning how to tell the best story I can with the most authenticity and truth, without judgment, and in a way that engages and invites people to stay along for the ride. So, ultimately, this story is the very reason I became a filmmaker – because if my story is going to be told, I know I have to be the one to tell it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

While writing “Hold On” I came to fully understand that writing is truly a journey and each part of that journey looks different. Now, of course, I’ve heard that saying a million times. But here’s what I didn’t realize: I wasn’t able to have that experience because of what the school system’s approach to learning and mastery ingrained in me. Our educational system revolves so heavily around tests and grades – it’s all about getting it right the first time, or else. Not how to make discoveries or how to experiment or fail – just what to think and memorize, in order to pass. I internalized this mentality so I felt the constant pressure to nail it perfectly the first time. Not only did that make it impossible for me to do anything fully, it created mental blocks. So I had to unlearn the “get it right the first time” behavior in favor of learning how I actually create and write stories. Once I let go of the need to “get it right,” I was able to fully own my process and became available for the breakthroughs and discoveries waiting to emerge.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tranceending.com
• Instagram: @chantemlewis
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/tranceendingfilms

Image Credits
Headshot: Rebekah Maynard BTS “Hold ON”: Cydney Hall & Gloria Brown