NeoBlackCinema

Dear Reader,

I am an up and coming actress from the NJ/NYC area. Well, that is where I live but I’m originally from London, England.  My parents are from Nigeria and Trinidad.  What a mix right? I moved to New Jersey years ago and as a child I fell in love with basketball. I moved my way up to high school varsity and eventually was recruited to play for New Jersey City University Women’s Basketball Team. I took a break from that college and worked at The Wiz electronic store, which has closed down. I went back to school at a junior college and received my Associate’s degree in 2006. Coincidently in ‘06, I got laid off from my job as a secretary at a construction company. A month later, I followed my heart and passion in life and started acting. Honestly, I never took drama classes in high school or college. I guess at the time I was too much of a jock and would rather play ball.

In September 2006, I started doing my first background/extra work on Six Degrees. Then I got booked to work on American Gangster and received my waivers, which then made me eligible to join SAG.  I also had the opportunity to work on I Am Legend, and all 3 series of Law & Order and several other major film and TV shows since ‘06. But at the beginning of 2007, I quickly realized that I can not wait for others and decided to start making my own films.  First, I made a short film about secret agents. Now looking back on it, yeah it sucked. Then in 2008, I produced and had a supporting role in “Mr. Luv,” a comedy written and directed by Daniel Cooper. “Mr. Luv” made the International Black and Latino Film Festival of Hartford, Conn. Also in 2008, I got the opportunity to play Muddy Waters Girlfriend in Cadillac Records, starring Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Columbus Short, Eammon Walker, and Beyonce Knowles.

In 2009, I had my first directorial debut in A Shoulder to Cry On. I also wrote, produced, and co-starred in it as well. It’s a short film about domestic violence. This project means a lot to me because of the ongoing suffering that individuals live every day. To often we hear celebrities in the news about domestic violence and, of course, the media has a field day with the issue. But there is never a real solution or even digging down to the root of the problem. In addition to this project, I also have a documentary with a former abuser on camera telling us how he used to abuse his ex-wife. If this film helps at least one person in an abusive relationship, then it was all worth it. The abused need a voice and we can not keep silent anymore.

I have always known that I have an original look. Thank God I don’t get “oh you look just like so and so”. That is not always a good thing when it comes to the entertainment business.  I have also realized that there are not many Black actors in Film and TV, let alone dark-skinned actors. I am a dark-skinned actress and frankly, I want to see a rainbow on TV and in films. One of my goals as an actress is to become “The Leading Black Female Actress in Hollywood Action Films”. I am currently in the early stages of pre-production for my action short with hopes to shoot in May. I realize that in order for Hollywood’s producers and directors to know who I am, I have to create my own films and self-promote like crazy.  They will have no choice but to notice when other are talking about the same thing.

In this business, I believe that you have to make your own opportunities and never wait for others to give you your “Big Break”…I stay focused on what I want to accomplish, keep faith in God, stay strong, determined, focused and never let anyone discourage or sidetrack me from my goals.

I invite you to enjoy this ride with me, so stay tuned!!!!

This Nigerian Queen is Grinding Hard Body!!!

Stay Blessed!

On Monday, March 15th, from 4-7p.m., Natasha Ononogbo will be a guest speaker for T.R.U.C.E of the Harlem Children’s Zone discussing domestic violence. She will be showing clips of her film and documentary. There will also be a Q&A with the students of T.R.U.C.E after the screening. This event is for teenagers & adults.

Natasha Ononogbo will be  submitting her film,  “A Shoulder To Cry On,” to several film festivals in the U.S. and overseas. Below are the links to her previous works.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MsNatashaOnonogbo

http://imdb.com/name/nm2967500 (imdb link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uaHXLgyGt4 (“Cadillac Records” Clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiT0B2zpcyM (“A Shoulder To Cry On” Trailer)

www.myspace.com/tasha2569 (online profile)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natasha-Ononogbo-Official-Fan-Page/242224692336?v=wall (facebook fan page)

This entry was posted on March, 2010 in section A Day in the Life.
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