local stories July 27, 2026

Life & Work with Ma’Lon Lane of Los Angeles / OC

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ma’Lon Lane.

Hi Ma’Lon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be just like Hannah Montana. It was my favorite show and her life was the dream. Once ‘Shake It Up’ came out, I became fascinated by Zendaya’s trajectory and became acutely aware how important it is to see yourself represented on screen. From that moment, it became my life’s dedication to cultivate diversity and inclusion on screen and behind the camera. I spent years as an actor, and in university, I declared a film production major through the Georgia Film Academy. I am so grateful to that program, as it launched the career I have today with its curriculum and positioning for opportunity. I am currently a student at UCLA Film School, attaining my MFA in Narrative Directing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth, nor has it been rocky, but it was certainly an uncharted path for me. My family is full of self-starters and entrepreneurs, but no one had explored the entertainment industry. I was raised in Atlanta, and even though I began pursuing this career around the time Georgia claimed fame as “The New Hollywood”, I didn’t know any film professionals nor have programs for it at school. I remember as an eighth grader researching casting calls for hours at a time every day after school. I learned immediately how to accept rejection and that hearing “no” countless times doesn’t mean I should stop, it just means “not yet”. My exploration of uncharted territory has made me a professional sponge, soaking up knowledge from every source. I lead with curiosity; I store in my mental toolkit the ways individuals have created success in this field.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Director and Producer. I specialize in cultivating diverse and inclusive production environments, empowering individuals in their strengths, and logistical efficiency. My proudest moments have been the results of gathering community toward one goal. My first mini-series featured the talents of over 30 first time filmmakers; I ran a film festival that bridged organizations at my university; my outreach initiative helped make the 1st year class at UCLA one of the most connected at school. What sets me apart in this industry is that I have my finger on the pulse of areas unexplored as well as the courage to leave no stone unturned. This is apparent in how I process both concepts and personnel, bringing innovative stories to life with the help of brilliant underdogs.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Never talk yourself out of a good idea. It can be easy to psych yourself out of trying for a million reasons. It is not your job to tell yourself why you can’t – it is your job to tell everyone else why it is possible. As a casting director, I have had colleagues tell me they wanted to audition for me, but they figured the competition was too steep. In actuality, they could have been some of the first submissions. The people who go far are those who make moves with no holds barred. There is far too much opposition in this field for you to stand in your own way. We must encourage ourselves; be your own YES in a world of NOs.

Contact Info:

Woman lying on a wooden box with a vintage TV behind her, green wall in background.

Two people looking at a camera on a tripod, one with curly hair and the other with dreadlocks, in a room.

Group of people posing on stage with red curtains and equipment in background, some holding a certificate or paper.

Person sitting on a tree branch wearing a green dress and a hat, with trees and a park in the background.

Three people working with camera equipment indoors, one person sitting and two standing, in a room with warm lighting.

Two people inside a vehicle, one holding a camera, and a girl looking at a large white object, possibly a board or screen.

Two women lying on the floor, one with sunglasses and a yellow vest, the other holding a camera, both smiling.

Young woman with curly hair sitting on a chair, wearing a black top and checkered pants, against a white background.

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