Meet Trailblazer Stephanie Alecia Rose

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Alecia Rose.

Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started directing in late 2010 as an intern. I started out with middle school students and then I progressed to high school students, and soon after, I was hired for my first professional directorial job in 2014. Directing comes naturally to me. I love to teach and help actors build on what they already know and expand that knowledge to help them become the greatest they can be on stage and in front of the camera. I transitioned into film in 2017. I had been acting most of my life (since I was 10) and it was time to start creating my own work; there were stories that I wanted the world to see. Since 2017, I have written and directed seven short films; six of which I filmed. Three of my films have been in a few film festivals, being officially selected and winning for Best Drama and Comedy. I am very grateful to so many amazing friends and acting buddies that have put in the same drive and passion into my films to bring them to life.

Has it been a smooth road?
Directing has not always been a smooth road because not everyone sees your vision. In the beginning, I was working with students who were dealing with their own life issues, so to try to get them excited about a cowardly lion in THE WIZ was taxing. However, I am not a director that easily gives up, nor do I believe in “it’s my way or no way”. Each job I have taken on as a director has allowed me the wisdom to understand that all actors are different no matter the age and I have to adapt to my environment. Directing teens is different than directing seasoned actors. In some cases, directing the teens wasn’t as difficult as directing seasoned actors (LOL!). Many actors are trained differently. When I first started directing, I was dealing with students who were not trained so as taxing as it was to get them excited about Tin Man, it was not as difficult to mold them. Directing seasoned actors is another story because they are already set in their ways. They know how they want to perform and no director is going to come along and tell them otherwise. This is especially difficult as a female director because most actors won’t take you seriously until you throw a fit. However, because my style of directing is totally the opposite of “it’s my way or no way”, it has been a blessing to be able to break through the hardest of hearts of some seasoned actors. I always meet the actor where they are mentally and expand on it.

The advice I will give is to never take ANYTHING personally. Unless someone is blatantly disrespecting you, never take anything an actor says back to you in anger or frustration seriously. Always remember, folks are going through their own issues every day just like you. In order for anyone to take you seriously, YOU MUST be professional at all times, as much as possible. It is a game-changer and people will respect you for it.

We’d love to hear more about St.A.R. Productions (Stephanie Alecia Rose Productions).
I am a female filmmaker and I say that proudly. The specialty of my work consists of stories that peel at the skin. I know it sounds weird but I am all about shock value in a productive manner. All of my films touch on topics that are very real in this world today, in the future, and yesterday. From divorced, bickering parents to mental illness to strained relationships, my stories are meant to reflect our lives and many times that’s uncomfortable.

So far, among my peers, I am known for dramatic works and most of my works center around the female experience. Since I am a female, what better opportunity than to create from my experience and the experience of others throughout my life from a woman’s point of view.

What I am most proud of is that I started and I have not given up. God is truly amazing in how He has brought so many amazing people into my life to bring my stories to life. I have created films on little to no budget and I am still going because quitting is not an option. My goal is to win an Oscar as BEST DIRECTOR, BEST PICTURE, BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY. I claim it.

Though I am set apart already as the King’s kid, I actually believe that I am like so many of my fellow female filmmakers who are out there busting their butts and giving it everything they have to make their stamp on this earth. We [female filmmakers] are creating our stories so the world can finally and truly see us. I am a strong, confident, passionate Black woman who refuses to let anyone or anything take what’s mine. You can’t have it. It’s mine.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
There are many opportunities that we as women are CREATING for ourselves. Yes, if you know someone in the industry, you are more likely to snag that position rather than the woman who has applied for the same position multiple times. On the one hand, we still live in a world where if a man can do it, hire him. However, we have many male allies that are rooting for us just like our peers. I do believe that more doors are opening due to some females in the industry making a name for themselves as directors, costume designers, cinematographers, writers, and more. I am proud to be a woman!

Contact Info:

• Website: bit.ly/stephaniealeciarosephotography
• Email: stephanieroseproductions@gmail.com
• Instagram: intagram.com/st.a.r.productionsofficial
• Facebook: facebook.com/st.a.r.productions03

Image Credit:
Stephanie Alecia Rose, Caleb J. Rose, Bianca Flores, Lysa Myles, Sabrina Vertell

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