Full Name: Shana A. Solomon
Location: Bronx, NY
Title: Actress
Films: Starred in “I am A Fat Cat” & “We Argue About Love”
Future Projects: Currently working on the up coming short film called “Cool Kidz” which I am co-writing producing and starring in as well. Also I am working on a full length play called “Strawberry Fields” which I am writing and starring in.
The NeoBlack Cinema 10
1. I wish someone had told me… to never doubt myself, although I don’t anymore and learned from my mistakes, I think I would be much further in my carreer.
2. Don’t listen when people say, “The world isn’t ready for that.” And when I say “that” I mean your vision, ideas and personality. Usually when people say these dream killing words it is out of their own fear of failure. What makes a brilliant woman or man brilliant is following through all the way with his/her non-conforming vision!
3. The biggest part of the battle is… getting knocked down! When we are on our road to success many obstacles and bumps get in our way and can sometimes make the road seem endless, and our vision seem unobtainable. But if you stay persistent and not let failure keep you down, a door will open and move you closer to your dreams.
4. If I could change one thing… I would change the structure of the education system. I would ensure our African American and Latino children learn more about the credit system and how to own their own business. This needs to be implemented into our public and private school systems to teach our people at a young age what this country thrives off of and how they can have a piece of the pie instead of becoming a statistic.
5. New York or LA? Definitely NEW YORK BABY! Everything you need is at your fingertips.
6. Film School or no film school? Everybody’s different. Life is what you make it and also what you’re blessed with. Some need to go to film school because they want to be taught in a specific format or have no other means of learning about film. Others go guerilla style and buy a camera and start shooting to teach themselves and surround themselves with experienced filmmaker’s. It all depends on you!
7. 3 Most Influential/favorite films of all time…Wow! I wish I could pick at least 15..Definitley the film CRASH-Because it captured the reality of humanity and our raw opinions on race, status, life’s obstacles, ignorance and highlights both views on these issues. It leaves you questioning yourself, if you have been actually living life or allowing society to live life for you?
Scarface- It is the most brilliantly written, directed and acted modern tragedy story for me because it touches all of the key emotions. It’s amazing how we wanted the bad guy to succeed so forcefully but the film could not be such a classic with out Tony’s death@ the end. The audience understands why he had to die! When you can capture life like that on screen and take those risks and that journey, that is when you have produced a classic!
Malcolm X-The movie Denzel Washington should have gotten an Oscar for! One of the best biopics of all time. It educated us on who this man truly was and what he stood for. Spike lee not only captured the essence of one of our great leaders, but never missed a beat! It not only influenced me in acting and directing but to read more about our black leaders including Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, August Wilson, Marcus Garvey and many more.
8. If I wasn’t a filmmaker I’d be… A dancer. Dance is my second love. I take hip-hop, jazz salsa and African classes when I can.
9. Most important lesson… I’ve learned is to go with your intuition.
10. What I want you to know … is life is nothing without peace, being spiritual is the best thing that ever happened to me. It keeps me balance and helps me make great decisions in life!