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

Marchelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve been a part of in my career so far is the feature film ‘Black White and the Greys’, which I co-wrote, co-directed, acted in, and executive produced. It was a monumental endeavor that marked my directorial and lead acting debut in a feature film, resulting in a creation of which I am profoundly proud.

The film delves into the zeitgeist of 2020, interwoven with poignant personal narratives. Collaborating with Casey Nelson, my co-writer, co-director, and co-lead, led to candid and vulnerable dialogues that permeated the film. In the realm of art, honesty and vulnerability carry inherent risks, and we are incredibly grateful for the audience’s warm embrace. The film’s success on the festival circuit, garnering 10 awards, including multiple audience choice awards, attests to its resonance.

Navigating the herculean tasks of film production, post-production, festival circuits, and distribution has given me invaluable insights into filmmaking. I’m incredibly grateful for these lessons, both personal and professional, that I’ve learned on this journey. It’s made me not only a more adept artist but also instilled the confidence to continue making films.

Marchelle, 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?

I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where I cultivated a passion for giving voice to the voiceless and breathing life into new stories. For college, I attended NYU, studying theater at the Atlantic Acting School. After college, I decided to anchor myself in New York, dedicating my efforts to acting, with a focus on short films, plays, and voiceovers.

Early in my career, I took a pivotal step by writing, acting in, and producing a web series. This experience marked the start of my evolution into a multifaceted creative—an actor adept at writing and producing.

A transformative chapter unfolded when I relocated to Atlanta in 2019, proving to be a catalyst for my career. Within one week, I secured a role on a network TV show and then continued to work on various projects across Atlanta. In 2020, Casey Nelson, a fellow artist from my Atlanta acting class, approached me with an idea for a feature film, which I was thrilled about. So Casey and I co-wrote, co-directed, acted in, and executive produced the aforementioned feature film, titled ‘Black White and the Greys’.

To date, the film has screened in 11 festivals across the country, won 10 awards, and received 13 nominations. We recently secured distribution, making the film available on Amazon, Tubi, GooglePlay, and YouTube.

I continue to act and create work in Atlanta and New York. Recently I became attached to another feature film slated for next year, recorded a voiceover for a national TV campaign, and started to work on my next film.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The most common misconception I find about being a creative is the assumption that it’s an easy endeavor. While there are undoubtedly more challenging professions, the commitment of time and financial investment in this field is often underestimated. Although there are undeniable perks to the creative life, I think it’s crucial to recognize the considerable effort involved.

Take acting, for instance, where auditions, often requiring you to film them, demand meticulous preparation, study, shooting, and editing. The reality is that after all that time spent, you might only book one role out of fifty auditions, and that is considered good odds. Additionally, crafting characters requires a level of vulnerability that can be scary. Breaking down the walls we’ve built over time and delving deep into one’s inner self demands courage and bravery—a process that requires time and continuous self-work. Yet, the payoff is immeasurable, as authentically bringing a fully realized character to life is a beautiful and magical experience.

Furthermore, at the onset and throughout one’s career, there’s a substantial financial investment in classes, headshots, demo reels, subscriptions to casting sites, and the essential self-tape setup (backdrop, lights, tripod, camera, etc.)—all personal expenses. While it’s a necessary investment for success, it comes at a considerable cost.

I share these insights to underscore that being a creative is far from a walk in the park. It demands sacrifices—of time, finances, and personal growth, all while embracing courage. However, the reward is unparalleled—being able to profoundly impact others through your art. This, for me, makes the journey 1000% worthwhile. I love what I do and consider myself blessed to be able to do it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I know it may seem cliché, but the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to move and connect with people through my art. I’ve been fortunate to experience this on the festival circuit with my film, ‘Black White and the Greys’. Numerous audience members approached me after screenings, expressing how the film deeply touched them, prompted a different perspective on certain topics, or simply made them feel seen. Those conversations truly moved me.

Ironically, I recently found myself on the receiving end of art’s powerful impact. About a year and a half ago, I lost my father. As his birthday recently passed, I’ve been feeling his absence more than usual. The other day, I randomly started watching a new TV series, and by the end, I found myself in tears. Unbeknownst to me, the series delicately explored grief, profoundly moving me. After wiping away my tears, I realized that it was exactly what I needed to see. It helped me process my grief, showcasing the transformative power of our work

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marchellethurman.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/marchellethurman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=826226&mibextid=b06tZ0
• Other: http://www.imdb.me/marchellethurman; https://www.blackwhiteandthegreys.com; https://www.instagram.com/blackwhiteandthegreys/

Image Credits
Emily Lambert Paras Griffin