Life and Work with Deborah Riley Draper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Riley Draper.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Deborah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Savannah, GA and my mother grew up in an area just outside of Savannah, Coffee Bluff. Coffee Bluff was a community of freed slaves and is the name of my production company. As a child, I loved stories and books because my mother was a language arts teacher and she loved stories and books. I began my career in advertising, working on the brand stories of such blue-chip brands as Coca-Cola classic, Adidas, Lamborghini, L’oreal and Remi Martin and many more in account roles at Burrell, BBDO and Ogilvy. I knew I wanted to move into the role of the director while watching Francis Lawrence on set one day. I was unable to convince anyone to let me shoot a commercial. So, I wrote, directed and produced my first film in 2012, “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution”. It screened at the Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival and that opened the door to producers and very positive media and festival attention. From there I followed up with a second film, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, which garnered a 2017 NAACP Image Award Nomination and became a catalyst for the recognition of the 1936 African American Olympians at the White House in 2018. So, that brings me to know a short featuring Jasmine Guy called ILLEGAL ROSE on the festival circuit, an upcoming film adapted by me and that will be directed by me called COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK and an option for Versailles ’73 and 3 projects that I am slated to direct.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road was not smooth but the bumps make great stories and are exceptional lessons. The main struggle was finding access and opportunity while living and working full-time in the advertising agency business in Atlanta. I was invisible to the industry and I didn’t know how to create visibility for myself. I was a proven advertising executive and an unproven director. Then, I greenlit myself, picked up a camera and crew and shot a movie that garnered a New York Times review, festival selections and TV deals right out the gate. My advice is don’t ask permission, green light yourself and hustle. Study, execute, learn and repeat. Filmmaking can be daunting if you think about it but start with the steps you can control. Grab a pencil and paper and write an outline for a story you want to tell. Write the script and grab your iPhone and your friends and make a movie. If you are a writer, find a director and vice versa. Find your tribe of filmmakers and ban together and go make things. You have permission to do that.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
My exceptional research skills sets me apart as well as my eye for the shots that will communicate more effectively than dialogue and that will be key in the edit.

I love telling stories about people of color in unexpected places and circumstances. I am so proud that OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE created attention after 80 years for the 18 African American athletes from the 1936 Olympics. In addition to the recognition at the White House, the film also screened at the Oprah Winfrey theatre at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. A fun fact that I am proud of is that Blair Underwood and Trevor Noah talked about me being an incredible filmmaker on the Trevor Noah Show. I pretty sweet moment. Also, RuPaul did the promo for my VERSAILLES ’73 film when it aired on LOGO CHANNEL.

I am so happy to also play a small role in showing distributors and programmers that my films do well across the globe and appeal and connect with a global audience.

I have my first book coming out on Simon & Schuster based on the film OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE. I am thrilled to add author to my name. It is on pre-order now and comes out on Feb. 4, 2020.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I love my iPhone 11 pro, La Mer skin creme, google docs, Dropbox and Zoom. I live on nofilmschool.com, chalkboardmag.com and listen to the Robert McKee on audible on repeat. Of course, I swear by Deadline for my news and so grateful for being a part of Film Fatales, Reel Divas, Brown Girl Doc Mafia, Film Independent Lab alum, Sundance Co//ab and Southern Documentary Fund. And, my Spotify playlists really get me through writing, organizing my day and everything requires me to get my hustle on.

I am most grateful for my husband and friends and the opportunity to go to beach, film festivals and walk around Coffee Bluff, where my family has walked around since the 1800s.

Pricing:

• OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE, the book on pre-order on Amazon $28 – https://amzn.to/2RnPtkt
• Go too www.coffeebluffpicures.com/films and watch the films via stream or order the DVDs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deborahrileydraper.com and www.coffeebluffpictures.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @versailles73 @coffeebluffpictures

Image Credit:
Courtesy of Coffee Bluff Pictures

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