Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Barnes . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My mission as a creative producer is to create and tell meaningful, true, authentic stories of people of color by people of color. Most of my stories derive from real life experiences. My goal is to share stories of healing through use of anecdotal comedy.
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 am a woman of many gifts and talents. I have worked both in the entertainment industry and also in the corporate world. I started off as a social worker where I worked in the field of child welfare. I can honestly say that this is a full circle moment for me. While working as a social worker, I was known for writing notes that told a story. I wanted to make sure that my notes captured the true essence of exactly what I was experiencing in the field. I got into trouble pretty often for taking my time to capture these moments.
While working as a social worker, I attended and attained credits towards a Ph. D in Social Welfare. I later pinned this endeavor to go full fold into the field of entertainment.
After realizing that I had a knack for telling stories and for highlighting my clients’ experiences, I decided that I wanted to use this talent to write television scripts. I left my career as a social worker behind. It was extremely hard for me to support myself financially.
Even though, I was no stranger to entertainment, having already been an active plus-size model for several years as well as an on-camera and performative talent (I worked as both a social worker and an on-camera/model talent contemporaneously). The landscape from New York to Los Angeles, albeit similarities, was a whole new world to get used to. I believe I am still getting used to many of those stark differences.
Nonetheless, I am finding my footing and my pursuits of writing and producing remain on the forefront of my goals. I am finally able to sustain myself by working on production sets for short films while I write my television scripts to later be displayed on network and streaming platforms.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Absolutely! I wish that I knew that there was a PA tract that I could take to get my footing into working on production sets a lot earlier. That way, I could have incorporated that into my plans whilst still moving to LA. Hence, I would have gotten there a lot sooner. However, things happen in life at the time that it is meant to, and I am happy that I was able to experience it at all.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Absolutely! I wish that I knew that there was a PA tract that I could take to get my footing into working on production sets a lot earlier. That way, I could have incorporated that into my plans whilst still moving to LA. Hence, I would have gotten there a lot sooner. However, things happen in life at the time that it is meant to, and I am happy that I was able to experience it at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MichelleNBarnes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_n_barnes/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-barnes-20542739/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleNBarnes
Image Credits
Mello ‘Evron’ Evans IG: @MomentsbyMello