Daily Inspiration: Meet Parneille Walker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Parneille Walker.

Hi Parneille, 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?
I actually started out studying film at San Diego State, then came back home to Sacramento to finish college and Sac State and complete the film program there. Right after graduation, I landed my first job as a production assistant at Good Day Sacramento our local morning show. That’s where I really started getting hands-on experience.

I always knew I wanted to move to Los Angeles to work in Film and Television, so I applied for the NBC Page Program and thankfully, I got in. That program was such an incredible launch pad. I worked on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which was surreal, and from there, I got my first scripted show as a Writer’s Assistant on House M.D. After that, the rest kind of snowballed, in a good way ! I worked on productions like Lincoln Heights, Black Lightning, Grown-ish, Mixed-ish, and most recently Poppa’s House with the legendary Wayans Family.

Along the way, I also worked for executives at NBC, which gave me a whole different perspective on how the industry operates. I initially came to L.A. to be a writer and producer, but once I started working in post-production and seeing how all the creative pieces come together. That’s when I realized I wanted to direct. And that’s really how my journey evolved from production assistant to writer-director.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes, there were definitely struggles along the way. It wasn’t always a smooth road. It kind of ebbed and flowed. Some time were good and sometimes were not so good. There were times when things were really tough financially, especially starting out as a production assistant because you’re not exactly making a lot of money. The job market also shifted a lot over the years, and we had several strikes. The 2007 strike hit me particularly hard because I was so early in my career. Having the entire industry shut down was rough, and bouncing back from that took time. Then the recent strike in 2023 which were still recovering from has been really rough as well.

There were also emotional challenges during he years. Watching friends move forward, buy homes, start families, and I was sitting in my little studio apartment wondering, “When is it going to be my turn?” That was tough. But through it all, I kept pushing, because I truly love what I do. And even though it hasn’t always been easy, being part of this industry, working on big projects, and chasing my dreams has made it all worth it. The biggest blessing is that I genuinely love the work and that’s something not everyone can say.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work in television and film as a writer and director — though I most recently worked in post-production as a Post Production Supervisor. That experience really shaped how I approach my work today. I write, direct, and produce with post in mind, which means I’m always thinking about how the story will come together from the very beginning, how it’s shot, how it’s cut, how the sound and music will enhance the emotion. That’s kind of become my specialty: blending creativity with technical precision.

My short film Love Is Blind has been my biggest milestone so far. It’s gone on to win multiple awards at film festivals across the country and internationally, and it’s opened a lot of doors for me as a filmmaker. On set, I love collaborating with actors and my DP to bring out the best performances and visuals, while also making sure the story stays authentic and emotionally true from start to finish.

What I’m most proud of, honestly, is my resilience. This business isn’t easy, and a lot of people don’t stay the course, but I have stayed strong. I’ve managed to keep growing, keep learning, and keep creating while maintaining strong relationships with the people I’ve met along the way. I’m proud that I didn’t give up when things got hard. I stayed, I built, and I’m still here — telling stories that mean something to me.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m pretty old school, so I don’t rely on a ton of apps, but there are definitely a few tools and resources that have helped me along the way. For writing, I use Final Draft — that’s my go-to and sometimes Celtx, which is a great free screenwriting app that also helps with building schedules and breakdowns. I’ve also used Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Screenwriter for production planning and script formatting.

As far as books, “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder was a game-changer for me when it came to understanding story structure and how to craft a compelling narrative. “The Screenwriter’s Bible” by David Trottier was another essential when I was starting out. It’s a workbook that’s interactive, practical, and really helped me with formatting and the fundamentals. And “Story” by Robert McKee deepened my understanding of character and storytelling in a big way.

I’m also a fan of MasterClass. It’s not exactly a podcast, but I love learning directly from people who are doing what I aspire to do. And honestly, YouTube has been one of my biggest teachers. I always say YouTube is like “free film school.” You can type in anything from screenwriting, directing, editing and learn from so many incredible creators.

Pricing:

• Information Session Have questions about getting started in film, production resources, or the festival circuit? 💬 1-Hour Information Session — $50 Includes guidance on: How to start your film or web series Production resources and workflow tips Festival submission strategies Networking and industry insights
• Speaking Engagements / Panels / Workshops Available for speaking at schools, organizations, or events. 🎤 Minimum Fee: $500 (for up to 3 hours) For sessions exceeding 3 hours, rates are negotiable based on scope and engagement level.
• Writer / Director / Post-Production Supervisor 🎬 Fees are based on project scope, schedule, and production needs. Please contact directly for a customized quote.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loveisblindshortfilm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parneezypics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parneille.walker
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parneille-walker-b92b8758/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7BQf14zYpk&t=19s