We were lucky to catch up with Shauna D. Balfour Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shauna D., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?

As a talent manager of actors and film producers, Covid limited in-person auditions and actual film production before adding more health and safety precautions and guidelines. However, it allowed the availability of more eco-casts and relaxed standards of live video and online submissions across the nation. Thus, opening more doors for opportunities for movies and television shows that we’re not available previously. In addition, while sets were temporarily shut down in 2020, I took the opportunity to learn and train more on the entertainment industry through mentorships and college programs.

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 did the music business program at my Alma Mater, University of Georgia which started my work as a music manager. After my first year of law school, I moved into reality television casting and actors management. Currently, I consider myself to a be a film producer who assist in legal deliverables. Furthermore, I have a small core group of working actors under a legacy agreement and primarily manage other directors, writers and producers. I am also proud to say I am a member of the Production Guild of America.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started in music management, but enjoyed the film industry much more. Therefore, after interning at a former agent office and job shadowing an entertainment attorney, I knew where my passion and strengths lie and decided to pivot fully in the film industry. I also worked as a casting associate and a production assistant to receive more human resource and set experience.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I was employed at a tradition law-based job while funding and saving for my own company. Second, I used commissions from movies sold or actors bookings, which I reinvested back in the company. I later took few risks on investing in few independent producers’ projects based on the quality of their work, resume experience, or their work ethic. Lastly, I followed the rule of 3: save, invest, and splurge.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.shaunadandcompany.com
• Instagram: @shaunadandco/@shaunadfilmdiva
• Facebook: @shaunadfilmdiva / @shaunadandco
• Twitter: @shaunadandco

Image Credits
All personal cell phone images (c) Shauna D.