Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawania Grangent.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in West Philadelphia I always dreamed of being on stage. I remember in my primary school years being in every play, talent show and program that I could. I grew up in a single-parent home with 2 Sisters, to include a twin and 1 brother. My mother had to work a lot, often overnight to support us but she always made sure that we had some kind of creative outlet. We used to sit in a circle and make up stories. I remember it being one of the few things that made me completely happy. I used to escape in those stories. I could visualize them in color a talented that would materialize in my dreams.
I wrote stories and made my Barbie Dolls the actors and when I got to old for that I would act of my own dramas silently in my room in hopes that one day I’d be on a big stage in New York. My dreams were deferred when I became a teen mom to my daughter, Elizabeth. Circumstances would take me to Cheyney University for a semester, CNA School and then to the Army. While in the army, I meet my husband Herschel (his daughter Deja) who was from Atlanta. I moved to Atlanta, we had a son and got married.
We would open a business but I still had a dream. 10 years later I would again start to write, join a theater group and get back on the stage. Then while honing my skills at “Words in Motion Acting School” in Villa Rica Georgia I became inspired to join the bustling film community. I and my husband, who had also caught the acting bug started doing background for whatever shows that we could. Greenleaf, Atlanta, Survivor’s Remorse, Saints and Sinner, All eyes on me and many other productions filmed in Georgia.
It still wasn’t enough. I started learning the ends and outs of the Production Business. I listened while on set. I made mental notes and most importantly I made connections. Connections that would help me to form a crew of my own. Our own. I started writing a script for a TV Series and my husband joined me. In 6 months we had a 10 episode show, a film crew and a cast for “The Springs” which would turn into a Feature Film that is now called “Composition”. that streams exclusively on my website. Today I own Tawania Grangent Entertainment LLC. A full service Production Company that specializes in hiring local untapped talent. I have 6 short films in which I either Wrote, Produced, Directed and/or Starred in. On 8/29/21, the 2nd Feature Film that I produced was screened at Studio Movie Grill in Marietta. The Project “written by Briana Cole” is currently being shopped to major networks.
Today, my Acting credits include Co-Star in “The Resident”, Principle Talent in a Webmd Commercial, Co-Star in the upcoming Film “Holy Irresistible”, Principle talent in an Amazon Commercial, Co-star in an episode of “Fatal Attraction’ and so many others. My Producer Credits are adding up as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My son Herschel III was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3 years old. Having him properly diagnosed, getting him the early intervention treatments that he needed and educating myself so that I could be the most informed caregiver were all a major challenge. From the time he was 2 until he was about 8 my life was wrapped up in his. Making sure that he had what he needed so that he could one day become a productive member of society was the goal of my husband and I. Fortunately, I have a very supportive husband and the best father that a young man could have. In addition, I am a disabled veteran. When I left the Army in 2001, I had migraine headaches that would decapacitate me. It is nothing for me to have to have to suffer for days at a time not being able to work due to a migraine.
The film business comes with a lot of untrustworthy people. I’ve had people make promises and not follow through. Loose footage as well as make promises that they never planned to fulfill.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Film Producer that can also write, act and direct. My company will review a script (Anyone can submit). Will determine if it is a story that our company wants to tell. We can give the writer options on paying for production, budget, payment arrangements etc. We cover all areas and details of Production from start to finish.
We specialize in spotlighting local talent. West Georgia actors like Victoria Lynn White. We shoot at local businesses and show their store fronts like Pasta Max in McDonough, Writers from Stockbridge like Briana Cole. Crew members with Disabilities like J. Davis Harvill. We hire the actor that has the lazy eye, or the actress that is normally to tall to be the average males love interest, the talented actor that won’t ever get an audition because he has an empty resume. The Drag Queen, The plus size woman. People like me with thick thighs, natural hair and of a particular age and we put them on camera and introduce them to the world and they look beautiful.
I am most proud of our Short Film “Eraced”. A silent, black and white film that follows two families after civil unrest in their community.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Our company also offers: Voice Over Lessons, New Talent Management, Script Consultations and Audition Tapping.
We also work closely with the Douglas County Homeless Coalition. We offer support on a monthly basis of food, supplies and outreach services to people in the community that are less fortunate.
I am a member of the Order of Eastern Star. In order to serve my community better, I work as a Poll Manager at the Douglas County Board of Elections to ensure that everyone that wants to vote, does.
Contact Info:
- Email: tg.entertainmentinc@gmail.com
- Website: www.grangententgroup.com
- Instagram: tawaniagrangententerprises
- Facebook: Tawania Grangent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5y68CmQIfuBZNzRmKcX4sg/videos
