We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Mary Schaefer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle Mary , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Setting up Annabelle Louise Productions has been the most meaningful time in my career. At the same time, I was working extremely hard as an Actor, Screenwriter, Director, etc, navigating my career with tons of oppression and discrimination. I knew deep in my heart I had to do something about it. At the same time, the industry and society have thought less and made nasty comments about folks who are “Deaf,” they are not opening their mind, eyes, and hearts to look at us like Humans, just like them. Our stories, my scripts, our voices, authenticity, and representations do matter; isn’t that enough? Unfortunately, they are not ready, as I cannot keep waiting, which they might never be. Instead, I rolled up my sleeves, set up the company, and networked with genuine folks who accept and believe in me and the projects to make it happen.

I have worked on several meaningful scripts. They all are significant because they are beyond authentic, written by a screenwriter who is Deaf, me. Most Deaf stories, themes, and/or characters are written by a hearing person and, therefore, not Deaf. You must be Deaf to understand and experience those characters and stories.

“REAL,” my tiny film web series, has been in 24 Film Festivals and was a huge hit, winning awards such as Grand Prize Winner, Winner Audience Choice, A Finalist for Best Original Script, and many more. Before “REAL,” I have written several Features and a TV Series. I knew I had to roll my selves up and make “REAL” happen, to show the industry its importance with authentic scripts, representation matters, and that our voice matters. The outcome of “REAL” has made a difference with the audience, leading it to be optioned with Skyphire Entertainment to develop it further into a full-fledged series in association with my new film production company, Annabelle Louise Productions. I look forward to working with Thomas Gidlow; it will be a huge game-changer!

“Destiny,” my feature, will be an award-winning, never-been-done film touching many audiences’ lives. I’m working with my line producer, Elran Ofir, and producer, Brandon Lee Torres, to obtain funding and greenlight “Destiny.” I’m incredibly excited, as I cannot wait!

“Always Natalie,” my TV Series, all 11 episodes in Season One have been written and are ready to go! “Always Natalie” came from my 2010 unfinished feature film, which I decided to rewrite and develop into a TV Series. On “Always Natalie,” I want to be a co-showrunner with my hearing peer. I want to give everyone equal opportunities, the Deaf, the Disabled, BIPOC, basically everyone, the experience of working onscreen and behind the camera.

I have also written many other scripts such as “Caught Between Two Worlds”, “Hanneli” (Life of Anne Frank’s Best Friend, Hannah Goslar), “Warr;or,” “Blanchette,” and many more. Two of my short scripts, “Babe to Blocked” and “It’s a Match,” have been filmed and are currently being edited to go to the Film Festivals. I’m also writing two new features and a new TV Series, which I’m always creating and writing.

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?

Annabelle Louise Productions is a production company that values authentic stories, and representation matters onscreen and onstage. The company is dedicated to bringing diverse and compelling narratives to audiences worldwide.

The company’s CEO is Michelle Mary Schaefer, an Actor, Screenwriter, Director, Producer, ASL Consultant, Deaf Culture Consultant in Theatre and Films, Social Media Manager, Communication Manager, and Project Manager who is Deaf and her dog, Annabelle Louise Schaefer. I have worked intensely in Theatre and Films since I was a kid, networking, creating, writing, and acting. Over the years, I have discovered that there have not been many changes within the industry and society. I empowered myself to write more scripts and set up Annabelle Louise Productions. I have noticed that our stories and voices are missing within the industry and knew that I could no longer keep waiting, constantly being rejected, discriminated and silenced. Instead, I create, write, and produce.

I look forward to the company blooming, giving everyone opportunities, and bringing diverse and compelling narratives to audiences worldwide. Let’s work together and make a difference starting today!

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

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

These two quotes are how I live my life, as it keeps me going. I have so much to offer deep in my heart and within my passions. Also, I love writing down goals with plans and deadlines because it helps me achieve my goals and projects. I am a firm believer in less talk more actions.

I want to thank my dog, Annabelle Louise, who gives me unconditional love. She keeps me going in life and within my career. She is one reason I named my production company after Annabelle Louise Productions.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Just folks to genuinely open their minds, eyes, and hearts, accept, respect, and bring more light into this industry and the world, and come together to create beautiful, meaningful projects. Do not be intimated by things you don’t know. Just embrace, listen, grow, and be vulnerable. That’s where the true magic happens. It begins with you, me, and Annabelle Louise Productions. Let’s support each other!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Annabellelouiseproductions.com