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

Lina, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I started my production company from writing stage plays. I knew I was a story teller and I wanted to be an actress as well. I moved to Los Angeles because I felt there was a pull on my life to head out West. I had no oppurtunity where I was born and raised and thought why not, I prayed about it and got on a plane. I was in Los Angeles for about two years when I felt it was time to head back to my home town on the East Coast. A friend suggested I start writing a screenplay which I thought was so stupid because how could I ever write a movie script, let alone get it made. Instead I decided I would write a stageplay I figured I had a shot at maybe bringing a stage play to life. Once home, I decided to make the play happen. After being laughed out of my own idea by home grown folks who thought my script sucked I took things into my own hands and starting producing my script in a stage play. I thought how hard could it be? All I need is some actors to get up on stage and tell the story I wrote. I held local auditions and got the people I needed. It was dificult, people kept dropping out like flys and rehersals felt like pulling teeth. I then found a venue that worked, met and hired a friend who had experiance and guided me on how to direct a stage play. Finally ,the day came and I had a packed house to see my very first stage play about 1500 people came from all around nearby city’s in buses. Getting though my very first show allowed me to think bigger. I went on do several plays that I wrote,produced, directed and starred in. After several successful years of stage plays I could now start writing screenplays and start making movies. I filmed my very first film with next to nothing the great thing about being writer,diretor,producer and starring actress is that it elementates alot of jobs that you would have to hire out and pay others to do. It’s a must to tap into every creative space within yourself that you can capitilize on. I got with some like minded people that had similar goals as me and we worked together with the thought in mind, that possiblity someone can discover our work. My first ever independent film didn’t wow others as well as I thought it would. It sat on the shelf for 5 years before I was able to find distrubution for it. However, It was considered a win people from all over streamed my very first film. Not giving up and patience is what got me to execution.

Lina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Whelp, I’m a natural born story teller, and there’s nothing no one can do about it! (lol) I’ve always loved reading and telling stories. From my earlist days as a kid I always enjoyed getting folks together having them play different roles in my stories. I grew up with two brothers and one sister in my house hold and my parents were working so we were on our own alot so to pass the time we had to be creative which was the best part of my childhood. I got into this industry when a friend offered me to be in a independent film, I thought it was really cool and I was bit by the bug. That film process opened up my eyes to the world of the movie business it made it real for me, I thought it was fun. I provide a full service one stop shop to making independent films I write,direct, as well as produce my films. It makes me feel blessed to be able to walk in my purpose of being a storyteller. It’s been rewarding to see my journey come from nothing to now having a working production company with distribution in a business that’s extremly hard to break into. I’m a faith based storyteller, which means I’m open to tell stories about being a beliver in Jesus Christ and what it means to trust GOD. Being a faith based storyteller doesnt mean I’m beating you in the head with the bible(lol) It means I tell real stories for real people who have drama, laughter, trials and tribulations going on in their lives as well. My goal is to tell stories that have something to give to the people who watch it. I always want to tell stories that will uplift and empower and inspire love. It’s important to me to put out stories into this world that are of light. When you watch my movies you’ll come out brighter then what you did going in.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

In film production most of my team are also independent contractors with that being said I like to work with people who take what they do (whatever that job is) seriously. It’s also important for me to hire people who are easy going and flexable because change is a common thing when making a independent films. My advice is to be alert and hire people who are really hungry for growth and excellance. It’s been such a journey for me over the last 14 years to learn who I work well with and who works well with me. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing something but it’s important to have people on your team who can know what you may not, making a movie is a colabertive experance it takes a team of people to come together for the greater good and get things done. My advise for morale is treat people how you want to be treated if you treat people well they usually want to match your energy. I also don’t hesitate get rid of the bad apples quickly. I like to work in positive energy being the boss means you have to difuss everybody’s issues at times and it can get over whelming but I always go back to I’m in this position because I’m more than capable!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey has been an uphill battle, I became a mom at 15 years old. I ‘m from a small town where if you get a job with the city or state you’ve made it. I had no roadmap to become a filmaker or actress or writer. Truthfully I never thought it was even possible. I never thought I would take my children across the country to Hollywood and actully become an independent film maker. My very first stage play I wrote I was told “It will never work” My very first film I was told by a friend “What is this” As if my whole heart wasn’t invested in it. I have been told “Who do I think I am” As if there wasn’t a chance in hell for me to become who I knew God called me to be. Others chimed in to express “Did I think I was going to come to Hollywood and be something”. I’ve been told “I’m not white”, “I’m not 19 years old” “I’m not a size 2” “I need to bring my dreams all the way down” When I reflect back I relize that it was nothing but GOD’S grace and mercy that has brought me this far. The things that have been spoke over me were meant to break me, and my soul so that I could count myself out. I’m sure glad I never listened to those people and you shouln’t either….keep going. Life and death are in the power of your words. Don’t allow people to speak negatively over you and your dreams and purpose. Stay prayed up keep going!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @linaoutler
• Facebook: @linaoutler
• Other: Tubi “Christmas The Wright Way”

Image Credits

@hdjmediaspotlight Instagram