Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek LaCaze.
Hi Derek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was raised on a small farm in Natchitoches, Louisiana, got married at 17 years old to my high school sweetheart. We both graduated together from Northwestern State University/Louisiana State University. We divorced, I moved to Dallas where I began my career as a Mental Health Therapist. bought a night club and life was good. I wrote stage plays, did a lot of ghostwriting for sitcoms, episodes and found I wanted more. I then start writing and publishing books. I wrote seven best-selling erotic novels and one children’s book. Then I began doing film, I did several short films and finally got an opportunity to do my first feature film which is based of one of my best-selling novels, Black Couples Fantasy. I then bought a home here in Druid Hills, doing most of my business downtown Atlanta but going back and forth from Dallas and Atlanta.
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?
The road has been bumpy, when chasing after your dreams you sometimes risk and lose it all trying to invest in yourself and losing everything is what made me appreciate everything I have. I made it a habit of feeding the homeless and volunteering to mentor young black men.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
LaCaze Films is more than just an Independent Film Production Company. We also do a lot of Ghostwriting for television series, episodes for others as well stage plays and films. We also cultivate actors doing what we can to put them in the right position to be successful. I have also written eight best-selling books, 7 of which are Erotic Novels and one a Children’s Book. The one most notable is Black Couples Fantasy which is exclusive to Amazon and the film is in production and due to be released in the Summer of July 2022.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a mentor can be hard because so many people are not willing to help or guide but for myself. I do not know him personally but Tyler Perry is someone I follow closely, with both of us being from Louisiana, I can relate to him and his struggle to make it. My path was so much different yet similar. He inspires me to follow my passion deal with the obstacles as well as the failures as I continue my quest to be great.
Contact Info:
- Email: Lacazefilmscasting@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/author/dereklacaze
- Instagram: @LaCazeFilms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerekLacazesr
- Twitter: @Bigsexydblack
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/JkPazU4YGbg
- Other: Dereklacazesr@gmail.com
Image Credits
Derek LaCaze Films
