Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarsha B Stevenson.
Hi Tarsha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Reading was something I enjoyed as a young child. As I got older, I found myself being more drawn to urban fiction. The more I read, the more I thought to myself, “I can do this! I can be a writer, too!” So, I wrote my first urban fiction novel, printed it out, bound it, and gave it to my best friend to read. I told her to be brutally honest with me. Her feedback was awesome! She said she couldn’t put the book down. I passed my book along to a few other friends who had the same exact feedback. That’s when I knew I was on to something. I wrote my second urban fiction novel under the pseudonym Brooke B. and went through the process of self-publishing it. Just like the first time I had several of my friends read it and they could not stop raving about it. Wanting to challenge myself creatively, I made the transition from author to screenwriter and wrote over ten scripts through the years.
Even though productions came to a screeching halt around the country due to Covid-19, I felt like I could still get my work out there. The solution? Audio feature films. Instead of filming (which I couldn’t do anyway) I decided to revise one of my scripts and perform it audibly. What started out as words on a page turned into a beautiful masterpiece to the ears. This opened the door for me to do more audio feature films and I am excited to say that I am currently working on my first audio drama series!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road at all! I didn’t know the first thing about screenwriting, so I had to do a ton of research. One misconception was that I thought I had to be in or live in Los Angeles to get “discovered”. So, I flew back and forth to Los Angeles more times than I care to admit and tried to network with people at mixers and events who I thought would be an asset to me in some way. During this time period I must have sent 100 query emails and query letters to production companies around the country regarding various scripts that I’d written and all, but one went unanswered. The one company that did respond actually mailed my letter back with a nice Dear John.
I applied for many jobs and internships within the industry but never heard back about my applications. I submitted my scripts to dozens of residencies, fellowships, writing contests, festivals and labs never to be selected. To say I was discouraged was an understatement. In late-2019, I decided to take matters into my own hands and turn one of my scripts into an indie film. However, after months of research and getting things aligned, the pandemic hit. But since I knew this was the career path I wanted, I had to keep pushing forward despite the obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The pandemic has allowed me to create my own opportunities. I started my production company, Brooke B Productions in the summer of 2020 and began creating and producing audio feature films and episodic audio dramas/comedies. Turning my scripts into audio films has allowed me the amazing opportunity to work with talent from all over the country who have the ability to bring characters and scenes to life before your very ears! We are making our footprint in the industry one audio production at a time. In addition to starting BBP, I also had the privilege of starting another company called Good Buzz Consulting.
Good Buzz gives screenwriters an easy way to brainstorm their ideas, determine their writing goals, and receive creative feedback on their scripts, all from a dedicated and caring personal consultant. I know firsthand how difficult it is to “break” into the entertainment industry and I honestly didn’t know where to start so Good Buzz, in a sense, helps screenwriters on their writing journey. It is truly something I wish I had when I first started screenwriting, but it makes me feel proud that I am able to provide a service that people will find valuable.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ve learned that you can’t give up! It sounds cliché but it’s true. You can’t allow the word “No” to stop you from pursuing and achieving your goals. If you get rejected, that should be fuel to keep going! Another thing that I had to understand is that I controlled my own narrative. Yes, it’s good to network and align yourself with people who have similar goals and beliefs, but you have to create your own opportunities. Don’t wait for them to be handed to you or fall in your lap. Be patient with yourself, too. You may not be lucky enough to be an overnight success and that’s okay. Just keep grinding. And lastly, one quote that I have lived by over the last few years is by Farrah Gray. “Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” This quote helped me start not one but two thriving companies.
Contact Info:
- Email: brooke@brookebproductions.com
- Website: https://www.brookebproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarsha_aka_brooke/, https://www.instagram.com/brookebproductions/
