Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Jean Tyer.
Hi Bonnie Jean, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started in Improv and Theatre, then made the switch to film 7 years ago. Now I’m starting my own production collective with a bunch of my friends, making new friends, and making films of all varieties. My main project is The Return, an anthology series that follows a queer female outlaw on her revenge quest to kill her very own posse for selling her out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Money is obviously the most difficult part of the process. I can’t wait for the day I can have an actual savings account haha but currently everything I make pays the bills and then makes the movies. I’m not connected or related to anyone in the business with deep pockets, so it definitely feels like a Mt. Everest level uphill climb. It gets discouraging, lonely, and I remain incredibly homesick. Working without a budget means I have to call in a lot of favors and with favors comes flakes. I’ve definitely been given a grand opportunity to see who my support and trustworthy collaborators are and I’m meeting new potential partners all the time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I offer a space to collaborate and network with other poor collaborators. We make our films by using an exchange of services. A lot of actors can do multiple behind the camera tasks so we will get them a short film that serves their needs if they help us out with crew. We also have Reel days where we pump out an outrageous number of short scenes for people’s reels.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Singing Shania Twain karaoke at the mud hole in the delicious swamps of Florida. We’d eat boiled peanuts before and after.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BonnieJeanTyer.com
- Instagram: @bonnsauce
- Youtube: Wannamakeamoviecollective
