Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenae’ Hope.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jenae’. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I can remember identifying as an artist by the early age of five but it wasn’t until middle school that I realized I possessed an innate ability to artistically express myself at a high level; acting, singing, and dancing. During a theater summer camp between my 7th and 8th-grade year, we were responsible for presenting a showcase to a live audience. I orchestrated the entire show. I choreographed the dances, scripted the dialogue of our scenes, and even penned the lyrics of the melodies we sang. My hometown, Detroit MI, bread all types of unique, bold, vibrant talent which nurtures a competitive desire to excel. What I soon discovered, is that my boldness would carry me through childhood to a theatrical Scholarship at the Tennessee State University. From there, I developed the courage to start my post-collegiate journey in New York which would, in almost divine fashion, lead me here, to my beloved LA.
Great, 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?
The journey to becoming a household name has been challenging. Hollywood is the mecca of extremely talented individuals who’ve come from all over of the world. Most of us bring skills that are already fine tuned for tough competition as we were accustomed to being big fish in the small ponds of our hometowns, or so I thought. This epicenter of masterful and equally passionate dreamers cultivates an environment where even the most proficient tactician is challenged to stand out. When I arrived five years ago, I was immediately awestruck by the level of undiscovered talent and skill competing for the same roles.
If the highest form of acting is to perfectly imitate the human experience, there were mirrors waiting tables, mirrors driving busses, and mirrors on every corner of every street. These artistic craftsmen and women of the highest order were literally everywhere and at that moment, I knew that I had absolutely no room to slack. As a natural competitor, I wanted to be respected as an actress but the question was, how? My initial solution was to enroll in courses that kept me sharp and expanded my skillsets. I’ve taken every class you can think of: scene study, audition tech, on-camera workshops, film labs, and even casting workshops to name a few. I invested unimaginable amounts of time, money, and energy into showing up for my dream but eventually auditioning became monotonous and at times. Downright discouraging. When it comes to getting in the right room to be seen and selected, there are many factors that come into play.
Nonetheless, if you have a goal, you are solely responsible for making it happen regardless of the amount of time it takes. A couple of years back, I took a small budget of $500 dollars and cashed in on a ton of favors to make my first short film. My short was submitted to the Play House West film Festival and also to Cannes Film Festival (Diversity in Cannes) and was selected to screen at both events. I traveled to Cannes, France for the film festival with my friend and director of the film, India McGee, where we watched our low-budget faith project screen amongst other films ranging from those of an entry-level novice to the esteemed film connoisseur. My experience there changed my life forever. I left Cannes with a deeper understanding of who I was as an artist and the God-given ability that lies within me if I remain steadfast and faithful. God answered a prayer that not only validated my purpose in this space but also reignited my confidence to be a pioneer in my own story.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Since France, I’ve continued to write and produce over the years which has given me the fortitude to start my own filming company, Home Stretch Productions. Actually, I haven’t shared this news publicly yet and feel privileged to reveal it here with VoyageLA.
Home Stretch Productions will specialize in stories that are often overlooked and is committed to bringing back the magic in fiction that lit up the childhoods of so many. Movies like The Goonies, E.T, Harry Potter, Fifth Element, and Matilda were such amazing films and I still enjoy them to this day. There is a need for my company because there is a call for expansion within Black Cinema that reaches beyond our beloved bio-films and the constant highlighting of Black trauma. I am looking forward to producing stories that aren’t typically told with ethnic casts and giving my culture another platform to be magical in more ways than one. I have to be the change I want to see, starting with a web series I am currently producing and looking forward to introducing.
Taking control over your life by way of ownership is a feat that I don’t take lightly. I’m excited to rise to the occasion. In fact, I welcome this turbulent road and look forward to the lessons to come in showcasing original content by way of films and series. As I continue on my journey as a filmmaker and production company owner, I am proud to carry the torch alongside other trailblazers that are committed to making their own way.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career thus far was simply having the courage to start. Having the courage to move to LA, show up for my dream even when no one is looking, and stay in the fight. With that being said, unexpectedly screening my first short film across seas at Cannes Film Festival was a close second!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Bobby Quillard
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