Today we’d like to introduce you to Tash Ann.
Tash, 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 out wanting to be an actor and studied in NYC with Anthony Abeson for years. When I got out to LA, I met with Alex Feldman who runs a company called For Actors By Actors. He suggested that because I didn’t have material for my reel that I should begin making my own projects and casting myself.
I began doing this, making a few short films back to back. It didn’t take long to realize that I was gravitating more towards my duties as a filmmaker than as an actor.
From there, I began making more of my own material and shifted my full attention onto directing. I learned from making my own mistakes, but I have also been so fortunate to do production sound alongside my husband on larger movies. This has allowed me to learn from watching incredibly seasoned, talented directors and actors.
I started working with producer Ryan Weaver in 2016 when we filmed the short film Glass Ceiling which went to over 25 film festivals and won 8 awards. He and I have now worked together on several projects and have a couple in pre-production.
Because Glass Ceiling did well in festivals, I was lucky enough to be hired for an amazing short called “Catharsis” which is currently in the festival circuit as well as an episode for the upcoming Pitch Her Productions Public Service Anthology.
I am very excited to be currently working on finding funding for my first feature film, 24/7. It is a thriller about a waitress held hostage in an overnight diner who must face her own demons in order to survive the night.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Working to be a filmmaker is never a smooth road, but it’s an extremely fun one regardless.
I have been so fortunate with my short films, but the path to getting a feature funded as a first time female director has been fraught with challenges. There have been a couple of times when myself and the producer Mitch Smith thought things were going to come together and start rolling only to find ourselves somehow back at the beginning again.
It can be quite frustrating, especially because I feel truly like the story is so solid and marketable, but I think the hardest thing about the process is simply getting our foot into doors that do not necessarily want to open to new filmmakers, particularly females.
I am a firm believer in the idea that challenges and obstacles only serve to make the end product better and that when the time is right for us to make this story the best film possible, it will all work out.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a Director. I work primarily on short content at the moment, with my particular skill set leaning me more towards thriller and action content. I am proud of making stories that are entertaining but also make a statement about the world around us. I believe that is the true superpower of artists of all kinds because nothing can foster empathy the way that seeing the world through someone else’s eyes can.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is such a crazy broad term. I think a lot of people apply it directly to career but I think to me it should be applicable to life as a whole. My criteria is this: When I am much older, will I look back with regrets? And if all my basic needs are met, but I am pushing forward, trying things that scare me and spending enough time with the people I love, then I think that is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: tashann.com
- Phone: 323-823-2842
- Email: tashanndirector@gmail.com
- Instagram: @iamtashann
- Other: openallnightfilm.com
Image Credit:
Sara Hoots, Shiann Banks
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
