We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kalisha Zachery and Kachelle Zachery aka the Zachery Sisters . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with the Zachery Sisters below.

Zachery Sisters, we appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

As producers and filmmakers, we understand the importance of thorough planning for both expected and unexpected scenarios. Over our fifteen years in the industry, we have continuously honed our skills and embraced a meticulous approach that values patience, integrity, and respect – principles that define our work. These values transcend all aspects of media production as well as storytelling itself. Ultimately, what sets us apart in this field is our unwavering commitment to knowing ‘our why’ – our purpose for curating stories. Serving as our true north, this guiding light propels us toward achieving our goals and reaching our destination. At WATZS Productions, our why revolves around dismantling stereotypes through visual narratives. As Black women and filmmakers, we recognize the responsibility we hold in ensuring accurate portrayals of Black and minority characters on screen – a mission that drives our vision forward.

In the film and TV industry, patience is key for long-term success. Building strong relationships based on values, character, and skills can greatly accelerate the learning process. While it’s natural to be excited about pursuing a career in something you love, it’s important to remember that this industry thrives on relationships and industry knowledge. It becomes evident quickly that ideas require financial backing, finances need proper planning, and business infrastructure demands administration. The business side of creating is just as vital as the art itself.

Integrity is our most invaluable skill in this field. Personal and business integrity are crucial for achieving genuine success. Being honest, staying true to our word, and acting with transparency have safeguarded our media vision, storytelling plans, and reputation within the industry. Integrity has helped us make confident decisions about our work – if it doesn’t align with our purpose, vision, or plan, we recognize it as the wrong direction to take. With integrity guiding us, we are able to navigate past potential pitfalls and distractions as we journey toward our goals.

At our core, we firmly believe that knowledge is power. We have always been committed to learning and overcoming any obstacles that stand in our way. Through the classroom of life, we have come to understand the significance of effective leadership and cultivating a culture of continuous learning both personally and professionally. Learning is a vital topic, and we appreciate the opportunity to share some of our discoveries on this journey.

WATZS Productions is a highly esteemed media company based in Dallas, TX. Our mission is focused on creating premium content that showcases diversity, particularly stories centered around Black American and minority characters. Our goal is to disrupt the status quo and challenge toxic norms through compelling narratives. As a leading media house owned by Black women, we are heavily involved in all facets of content creation, including production, financing, writing, casting, and distribution. We are dedicated to delivering top-quality content to our audience.

Website: https://www.watzsproductions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewatzsprod/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/prodwatzs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watzsprod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watzsprod

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Zachery Sisters, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We recently introduced our groundbreaking drama series ‘Frame of Reference’ on the esteemed WFAA+ streaming app back on February 21, 2023. This limited-run series is available for free on Roku and Fire TV, giving viewers a unique opportunity to engage with our curated dramas that celebrates the nuances of Black American life and identity.

We are not only creators and writers but also executive producers and show-runners of our remarkable project. Our aim is to provide intentional content that showcases the diverse experiences of the Black community while promoting balanced representation in storytelling.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Through our commitment to dismantling stereotypes, we elevate narratives that directly impact the Black and minority community. By emphasizing authentic perspectives and meaningful storytelling, we aspire to satisfy the demand for scripted stories featuring underrepresented voices in well-rounded roles. Our dedication to providing a platform for Black and minority individuals yearning for genuine portrayals in media will always be what motivates our creative ideas. You can also catch a glimpse of that with each captivating episode of ‘Frame of Reference,’ we strive to challenge preconceived notions, one story at a time.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Here at WATZS we recognize the significant hurdles that Black women creators and minority creators face in the industry. To address this issue, we have established the People of Color Creative (POCC) Symposium and Writing Initiative programs since 2019. The POCC Symposium is an annual industry dinner event that brings together knowledge, networking, and inspiration to support the next generation of change-makers in media. Meanwhile, the POCC Writing Initiative funds a short film project by creators of color each year. These initiatives have proven to be highly effective in providing empowering opportunities for creatives of color to enhance their skills, build a professional portfolio, and gain access to more industry prospects.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.watzsproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewatzsprod/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watzsprod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watzsprod/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/prodwatzs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFuUzcFwgxUjDyfEn4yKSg/about