Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sara Anders. Sara was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Jo’nez Cain-Lewis.
Hi Sara, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started in a small rural town in Oregon called Medford. I am the product of a one night stand and an affair. My father is Black and my mother is caucasian. I grew up with my mother in an all white family in an all white town where racism was and still is the norm. I found out I was Black in kindergarten when a little girl approached me on the play ground. She told me, “You are what my daddy calls a nigger”. I had no idea what that word meant and I loved myself so much, I remember making up a song about it. I said “I’m a nigger, I’m a nigger”. I remember thinking, if they are talking about me it must be good. I was sadly mistaken. I didn’t meet another Black person until I was 10 years old. The only Black people I “knew” were on TV. My Black family consisted of Whoopie Goldberg, Oprah, Will Smith, Danny Glover, Wesley Snipes, Lauryn Hill, Tia and Tamera, and Brandy. TV was my only connection to Black culture which is probably why I love filmmaking so much. All that changed one day when I was 15. I attended a high school football game and my Black father had traveled from out of town to come find me. This reunion was bitter sweet. We were related by blood but our cultures couldn’t have been more different. We continue to try and close the gap which takes hard work and perseverance. He introduced me to my family in California and that is how I transplanted myself here. I have lived in California for almost 20 years. I consider this home. I went to college out here and became a Psychiatric Technician and a Narrative Restructuring Therapist. This career meant so much to me because my mother is bipolar. This is no family secret and I’m so proud of her for being open and honest about her diagnosis. I worked at Napa State Hospital which is a hospital for the criminally insane, for almost a decade. I started when I was 19 and I was the youngest person to have my own office and the only person to my knowledge who actually created my own full time position within the state system. I was making great money and very proud of my career. All that changed when one of my coworkers and friend Donna Gross was murdered at my job by one of my clients. This was one of the biggest tragedies I had ever experienced. I always thought my good intentions with our clients kept me safe, but after Donna was murdered I was forced to face the truth. I was not safe. I had PTSD and could no longer do the job I loved and I worked my entire life for. I was not only dealing with PTSD I had major depression and financial problems as well. I went from making great money and living freely to making no money and feeling trapped. I went from being a therapist to being a patient. That was a hard pill to swallow. I felt like I had lost everything, until I met my sons father. I got pregnant incredibly early in the relationship and did my best to make it work. Unfortunately, I left the relationship right before my sons first birthday due to domestic violence. Once again I had to start over. I had no career and now a child to take care of. I worked out frequently at the local gym and a friend of mine from the gym asked me if I would be interested in helping her with her wardrobe. I have always loved fashion so this was a no brainer. When I was a kid I used my unique style to distract from my hair and skin that was different from everyone else. I felt like if I dressed differently they would talk about my outfit not my Blackness. What not to wear, was always one of my favorite shows so I decided to adopt the three steps. First, we went through her closet and got rid of all the things that didn’t fit her new found style we created together. Second, we went shopping and found new clothes that would work with the clothes she still had in her closet. Third, I made outfits for her and took pictures of the outfits so on any given day she could wake up and put an outfit together without having the stress of “what should I wear”. This small business ended up getting me more clients and eventually I made enough income to start over. I started producing and hosting fashion shows, thats when I met Jo’nez Cain. I hosted a fashion show where Jo’nez created a whole line with designer Ronita Wheatfall. 8 years ago. She has been supporting me and my career ever since. One of the great producers I can trust which can unfortunately be rare in this industry. I go to Oakland to network a lot, and one day I met Ephraim Walker. He was one of the producers on Fruitvale Station and he gave me an opportunity to be a wardrobe assistant on set. I remember my first film project like it was yesterday. We filmed the backdrop for an Erykah Badu and Childish Gambino concert. It was so much fun. I was able to be creative and also critically think about how to solve wardrobe issues when they came up. I enjoyed being a part of a community all working together towards one goal. I was hooked. I started doing wardrobe and working with other filmmakers. I got an opportunity to be the costume designer on a film called Guitar Man from the DP Clay from the Bay, he also worked on my first set. My friend Rod Campbell told me about another film 100 Blocks shooting in Oakland and linked me with the director Diaunte Thompson. I went to talk to him about doing wardrobe for the film but he saw me as an actress and wanted me to audition. I had never auditioned before but I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. I auditioned and landed the role as Janelle who was the girlfriend of one of the lead characters. What a wild ride that was! You can see the film on Amazon Prime, go check it out. That first scene you see me in was not only super intense, it was my first time being in front of the camera. We went to the American Black Film Festival in Miami and were selected as one of the top 4 narrative feature films. This was huge because we got to share a red carpet moment with Spike Lee and I met so many actors and actresses I love like Issa Rae. This also taught me that when people see something in you, take a chance on yourself. I continue this mindset as I have worked on almost 70 different productions. One of my favorite stories is the Sorry to Bother You story. Josie Rodriguez and Antoinette DeGregorio Yoka were working on STBY and hooked me up with a “volunteer background” position. After I got to the set I made quick friends and an impression. I went from unpaid BG to paid BG and then they offered me a position as a Production Assistant. I quickly moved from PA to craft services and by the end of the show I was able to be the head of the craft department. That is another reason why I love filmmaking, the possibilities are endless when you put in work and have a great attitude. I met Boots Riley on STBY and he has supported my film career tremendously . I was just invited to the premier of I’m a Virgo and let me tell you, y’all are in for a treat! I am a Virgo is also on Amazon. When I told Boots about my idea for my short film he actually gave me final draft so I could write it. That was almost 4 years ago. I’m done writing it and now I’m looking for more funding so we can shoot it. It’s a pretty exciting gritty gospel story about how I found $10,000 in a nightclub. I love this story because it’s true and when writing it I did my best to keep the story authentic to my experience. I received a $5,000 grant from the Vallejo Art Fund, in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation, Three Palms Group, and funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. That will be the next project I get to work with Jo’nez on. We also just finished recording an audio book together so be on the lookout for 17.
Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
I have worked on several projects such as Ant Man and the Wasp, 13 Reasons Why, US, Sorry to Bother You, 100 Blocks, Elder Millennial, Guitar Man, Amazing Race, Earth Momma, T.H.O.T.?, and many more documentaries and commercials. I am proud to say I have credits running currently on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. I have worked as a Producer, Production Coordinator, Assistant Director, Costume Designer, Wardrobe, Wardrobe Stylist, Actress, Locations, Co-Writer, Craft Services, and Production Assistant. I have worked with Apple, Nature Valley, Salesforce, PG&E, and several other Bay Area companies. I have been honored to be the official host of Oakland Fashion week for five years running and I also styled a show with Reco Chapple for New York Fashion Week. My willingness to try new things, be flexible, and not take myself too seriously has created a rich career in filmmaking. I have a unique perspective because I have experience with most jobs on the set. As a producer I don’t mind getting my hands dirty and working with the team in order to get the job done. I remember when we were filming The City of Dope which was a TV pilot my G&E folks were surprised that I was wrapping cords. There isn’t a job too big or too small I can’t accomplish with God on my side.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Jo’nez Cain-Lewis and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Jo’nez.
Jo’nez and I have been blessed to build a beautiful working relationship together that is centered in our faith in Jesus Christ. Her moral base is impeccable and I know that when working with her I will never have to compromise myself or my morals in anyway. We often talk with each other and share inspiring stories and resources with each other. Her mindset is if you are winning then we are all winning. It is rare to have someone who works in a similar position as you be your cheerleader. Matter of fact, that is a great way to describe Jo’nez, she is truly a cheerleader. She consistently wants the best for others and she is constantly creating space and opportunity for those around her. This article is a perfect example of how she loves to shine a light on others. She gave me this opportunity to write this article and I’m grateful. When we worked on the audio book 17 she created a safe space for me to share ideas and really have fun with the character. Often times when working with directors they are so specific on what they want they don’t let actors contribute as much as Jo’nez does. She has worked so hard and has been a part of many big projects and still remains humble and approachable. Her energy is always positive and reassuring. It is impossible to be on set with her and not be infused with her generous and joyous spirit. I have recently come back to my faith and even when I was out there in the world doing worldly things Jo’nez never judged me or made me feel less than. That takes true strength in character when you can loving support someone and be a shining light in a dark place. She is truly and example of a Godly woman and I’m grateful God allowed our paths to cross so we can uplift and support each other,
Website: www.imdb.com/name/nm8241829
Instagram: @iamsaraspeaks
Image Credits
Skinner Vision Photography, Clay from the Bay, Robinson Kuntz
