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

Shreco, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

First let me say this….I have been in development with my true story based drama series for 5 years. Yes, FIVE YEARS! I am super excited to finally bring this to life! We begin filming in Tampa and Clearwater Beach, Florida September 8-12, 2022! Talk about surreal! It’s finally all happening!

Now, back to your question; I first came up with the idea for this drama series after watching the first season of Issa Rae’s “Insecure” series on HBO in the Summer/Fall of 2017 while living in Chattanooga, TN.

While watching the compelling and amazing work of art being painted so beautifully by her and her amazing team; it truly inspired me to do something of my own that tells my truth. Something that will not only help others but something everyone can relate to regardless of their sexual orientation.

In the winter of 2017, that is when I started to develop the television series. My cousin, Ashley Chanel, who is my company head producer at Foreman Empire Productions but also the producer on the series; immediately jumped on the opportunity to produce this entire series with me after pitching it to her.

I wanted this to be not only a series that is funny and entertaining, but also real, raw and relatable on all aspects of life.

When I told Ashley that this series would be based on true events pertaining to my college life and beyond, I’m not going to lie I was extremely terrified to put my story out there. Talking about it is one thing but putting it on paper and trying to deliver it to audiences is a whole separate ball game.

So I initially started this entire show with only 10% of what was written to be the truth. The other 90% was just drama for TV and entertainment. I didn’t even want to play the lead role character, which would technically be myself. One thing is for sure, Ashley did not agree with any of this in the beginning. (Laughs).

It took her literally months to convince me to play the lead role. I just wasn’t comfortable playing a character who literally was me and reliving a lot of past things if that makes sense. It almost felt like I was coming out all over again with my sexuality and that was completely terrifying.

All in all her months of convincing and conversations led me to take on what is going to be the best acting decision of my entire life. This birthed what is now called
“R I P T I D E S”.

This journey with this series was not an easy one by any means necessary. If I am being completely honest, I would say it was very traumatizing in some cases. Dealing with a lot of people who you think are for you and eventually God shows you that they are not. Going through so many cast members, so many full cast, and many adversities left and right; it was just unbearable from what it seemed like. I also had to live life during the development days as well. Not being fully stable financially, living wise, relationship wise, you name it.

I thought that this would never get done. However looking back on everything; I’ve learned that I literally had to live life and conquer some major things, past major test and more than you could ever imagine in order for this to become the biggest breakout project of my entire life.

God always says, if you want big blessings you have to go through big challenges and pass them. I am happy to say these past five years going on six years I have done that and continuing to and this is why we are here with the show today.

The reason for the show is, pretty much like I stated before. To help people who are like myself regardless of their sexual orientation. To put a mirror up to society to help them take a good look at themselves when it comes to many situation‘s and complications in life.

The things that I have went through in college and beyond are things many people don’t talk about. A lot of it is very uncomfortable and very controversial so to speak. That is the beauty of making this true story come to life. It will spark conversation, hopefully save many lives and maybe even change the world and the way people view sexual orientation and more.

I’m not here to make people comfortable. I’m here to show and tell the truth. My truth and nothing but the truth.

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’m 30 years young. A fine ass Aquarius with many different hats so to speak (Laughs). I’m a very confident human being. Not to get confused with arrogance. At this point, I always say if people feel like what you say is out of arrogance then nine times out of 10, they are intimidated by you or feel threatened because of your work ethic and the energy that you bring.

I am also the executive Director of my own production company, Foreman Empire productions. I started it in 2015 and happy to say we are going on year eight in January 2023.

I’m a very hard-working and disciplined individual. If I set out to do something you better believe I am damn sure going to do it and take pictures while doing it to show the people who didn’t believe in me the power of what God can do. Regardless of what you may have said to my face or behind my back. Always remember you reap what you sow.

I take my craft very seriously. That is one thing no one can discredit me on. I do not play when it comes to my craft in acting and filmmaking.

I believe the thing that I am most proud of is…… accepting who I really am, loving every bit of who I am and finally knowing who the hell Shreco Bakari really is on the inside out.

Many people don’t know who they really are. I had to live a lot of life these past five years especially with traumatic relationships. It taught me to value who I am and value my intuition and love all of me. I used to seek validation from others and seek love and appreciation from others until recently.

In the summer of 2022 after I had to let go of someone that I truly loved dearly with all of my heart. That situation taught me to give the love that I give to others back to myself. And I’m not going to lie, I recently just found love within me after that situation. I recently just started to love the person that I look at in the mirror.

I can tell you one thing, that person that I look at is fine as hell and about to be the biggest success story you’ve ever seen.

Any advice for managing a team?

The best advice I can get for this question is this:

You need to know what you truly want to do and do it. You need to know if the team member you are hiring or cast member you are casting truly believes in your work, your vision, your expectations and the endgame.

You need to follow your intuition. If your gut is telling you a person is not right for the job or not right to bring on your team, you need to listen to that.

Many people will never understand your decision making skills and they will go against you. However if I have learned anything dealing with team members in cast members, is that you need to trust your gut and make sure that you scream them thoroughly. Ask the tough questions. Do your research on them before bringing them on your team.

People these days have motives. And if they see that you have some thing that can skyrocket them to the top, they will use you and wear a façade until they get what they want out of you.

Be very careful and mindful. Always trust your intuition and always have confidence in your decision making. Stay in prayer. Be sure your team stays in prayer.

Don’t get me wrong, you will not get it right the first time, the second time, the third time, or the fourth time. However, when you do get it right. You will know. Trust me. This is all trial and error and a big learning experience.

One last thing. If people want to leave you; let them. Don’t try to figure out what you did wrong and don’t try to get an explanation. Again, listen to me very carefully and clearly. If people want to leave you and your team, let them. That is one of the best advice is on top of what I said, that I can give you.

Many people you start out with, and many people that believe in you in the beginning are not going be the ones you in with and they will shift and show their true colors. Let them, go.

They were never for you to begin with.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes. This year.

January through June of this year has been extremely tough emotionally. From having to let go of a relationship, nearly losing my life in a deadly car accident, struggling financially because of the car accident, going through therapy and finally feeling like I was never loved.

Due to all of those adversities it causer me to pivot in a different direction. A lot of things were happening to me that I had no control over. I was doing the right thing. I was treating people right, I was doing everything God asked me to do, I was obedient and it felt like why is it that good people like myself have to go through these traumatic experiences?

I had to realize that in order to reach the huge goal that I set for myself with this television series things had to happen the way that they did and people had to fall off the way that they did.

Even though it was very terrifying and my heart ached so much, I was stressed out beyond measures I still came out on top and the series came out better than I ever expected.

Some very special to me; Palo, is one of the main reasons why I picked myself up and pushed forward.

Being there for him in his major time of need in the spring of 2022 taught me so much about myself and pushed me in the direction I needed to go.

I appreciate the time I needed to be there for him. It opened my eyes and my heart to many things I never knew I had within myself. I will always value that. Forever. I love you Palo. Thank You.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @filmmaker_shrecobakari @riptidestvseries
• Facebook: Shreco Bakari & Riptides – TV Series
• Linkedin: Shreco Bakari
• Twitter: @shrecobakari

Image Credits
Picture 1: Official Poster for upcoming true story drama series “R I P T I D E S”. Picture 2: Shreco Bakari for Director, Executive Producer, Creator, Writer and Actor for “R I P T I D E S”. Picture 3: Shreco Bakari & Palo for “Sylva Movie Critic News” for “R I P T I D E S”. Picture 4: Palo announced as December Miles. Picture 5: Ashley Chanel for Producer, Casting and Story Development for “R I P T I D E S”. Picture 6: Ashley Chanel announced as Avana Cooper Picture 7: Palo announced as featured artist for “R I P T I D E S” Picture 8: Shreco Bakari announced as lead role of Brycelen West for “R I P T I D E S”.