We recently connected with Diana C Zollicoffer and have shared our conversation below.

Diana C, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

One of the kindest things anyone ever did for me happened when I was 15 years old. I was at a National Honors Society banquet for my academic achievements in school. I was just freely talking to the people at my table; talking about how much I loved the arts and what Shakespeare meant to me. Someone asked if I liked Romeo & Juliet. I replied “Oh no, they were just silly teenagers.” and “Antony & Cleopatra, Macbeth and King Lear were my favorite plays.” I even recited “All the world’s a stage” from As You Like It and King Lear’s in the heart of the storm monologue…. “Blow winds and crack your cheeks. Rage. Blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes spout…!” Yes, I was that dramatic School of the Arts kid! [ I laugh now, thinking about it but it’s always been a part of my “normal” ]

Three days later I was called to the principal’s office. I thought it was about my transcript which I had put in a request for, for college applications. To my surprise, I was handed a beautiful ornate box — inside was a red leather bound full collection of “Shakespeare Plays and Sonnets.” A handwritten note from one of the guests at my table. “May the world continue to be your stage”.

To this day, I always make it a point to send random notes and gifts of encouragement whenever I can.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born on Seychelles Island. I grew up in Washington, DC. I spent my formative years in New York working in finance and marketing while still pursuing my creative endeavors. When I moved to Los Angeles, I decided to fully focus on the arts. I sold a few feature scripts, acted in film & television and then transitioned into producing.

As a filmmaker I have long advocated for diversity and inclusion before it became popular. I love producing projects that represent all of us. My producing partners Theresa Burkhart-Gallagher, Andrea Maxwell, Ben Brown, Elliott Yancey, Jamal Mallory-Mcree and I always make sure our projects are reflective of the real world. It’s important to be mindful of diversity beyond just race or gender but inclusive of age, body types, physicalities, socio-economic imbalances. And, not just in front of the camera either. We always make sure our department heads and crews are equally balanced.

I am proud that my slate of work includes LGBQT+, Hispanic, Black, White, Asian, Jewish projects. I can pick films that have a social advocacy in order to make an impact. Therefore allowing me to work in different genres: comedies, dramas, documentaries, sports, and even faith-based films. Each project is unique. One of the biggest and never ending challenges is funding.  As much as everyone says they want to see more diversity in storytelling it is still hard raising funds to bring these types of films and tv shows to an audience. We can’t show what we can’t make. And what is equally mind blowing is time and time again we have seen by the box offices that there are audiences for our films.

Female producers because of the nature of film finance tend to do a lot with less. Believe me we don’t want it that way; we would love to get the financial backing and “greenlights” of our white male counterparts.

I am very proud of the fact that my projects don’t shy away from topics like mental health, racism, sexism, ageism, elder abuse, teen sex trafficking, domestic abuse, environmental hazards, etc. Our industry, whether people realize or not, is a “subtle educator” as well as being used just to entertain. Think of the impact that Norman Lear had on race relations. Think about every movie-of-the-week that educates a generation on so many topics. Think about every documentary that has impacted how people shop, eat, and take care of the planet. There hasn’t been a topic that the entertainment industry hasn’t addressed in one way or another. I believe this is where being a female filmmaker is to my advantage. I can pick films that have a social advocacy in order to make an impact. Which also lends to my philanthropic work on different charity Boards of the years.

There are some of us producers who believe we have a social responsibility and I am proud of them. I am proud to be on projects like “HARLEM58”, “Schmoolie the Deathwatcher”, “Reinventing Ben”, “Tattoos & Scars” and
“FU: a 爱love爱 story in reverse” which by titles alone you get a sense that they represent different human point of views.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Some of the resources that have impacted me have been educational, motivational, entertaining and spiritual

“The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer, which I have reread often.
“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankel
“7 Habits of Highly Successful People” by Stephen Covey (since Jr. high I used to annually get the Franklin/Covey Calendar but smartphones have changed that)
“Respect the Actor” Uta Hagen (I have had my copy since high school)
“Story by Robert McKee” by Robert McKee
“Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” Dr. Joe Dispenza
“Sell or Be Sold” Grant Cardone
“Directed by James Burrows” by James Burrow & Eddy Friedland
“Produced by Faith” by Devon Franklin
“Power of The Actor” by Ivana Chubbuck

I listen to a lot of filmmakers’ movie commentaries and I watch “Variety:Roundtables”, Paley Institutes Speakers, Tedx Talks and Huberman Lab podcasts.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I was born in the middle of the Indian Ocean on Seychelles Island. Seychelles’ population is under 200,000 people, that’s less than Staten Island in New York, I believe. I am driven to make my country proud, to make my family proud…to make my mother proud. It’s a simple personal mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cazadoraentertainment.com/
• Instagram: @dczollicoffer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-zollicoffer-1770563b/
• Other: imdb.me/dianaczollicoffer https://www.nywift.org/schmoolie-the-deathwatcher/

Image Credits
Diana C Zollicoffer