Photo by Tim Olsen
Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Vick.
Shannon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been interested in the entertainment industry for as long as I can remember. I would stand in front of the TV for hours wanting to be on the big screen! Once I got older, I decided I wanted to be an actress but unfortunately, that dream was not really supported by my family. Despite that, I kept taking acting classes and participating in community theater and school productions throughout elementary, middle, and high school. Once it was time for me to start looking at colleges, I wanted to find a film acting degree program, but my family decided that they’d be more willing to send me to school to study film, so I took what I could get and attended Baylor University for a Film and Digital Media degree. During my time in school, I decided to suppress my love for acting for a better chance of financial stability. I graduated in May 2017 and immediately moved to New York City to pursue a career in film – specifically casting. I snagged an internship with a casting company while working part-time at GAP in Times Square.
Soon after, I became a Casting Assistant for Casting Director Eve Pomerance, helping to cast a feature film, a theater production, and assist with theater readings. I was also trying to find more corporate work at larger film companies, but nothing was coming into fruition. I wasn’t feeling satisfied with my life in NYC and, while talking on the phone with my Auntie Kim, she suggested that I consider moving to Atlanta. I moved here in July 2018 and started networking immediately to try to find film work by being an extra, attending film festivals, etc. I soon met my current mentor, Dr. Latangela Crossfield (a.k.a. Dr. Tangi), who has helped me blossom into the woman I am today. She allowed me to be her apprentice on her radio show “Love Manifesto” (on World Star Hit Radio) and now I am her assistant on the show with my own segment, “What’s Poppin with Shannon!” She also introduced me to Dr. Yolanda Snipes, CEO of LeeSadie Productions and LeeSadie Media Group. Through that connection, I am a Production Assistant for the company and we have several upcoming projects set for near release! She also helped inspire me to pursue acting again and, since enrolling in classes back in October 2018, I’ve had a leading role in the play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf“ as the Lady in Purple, as well as leading roles in 2 short films. It’s crazy to think that things didn’t work out in NYC because I was meant to be here in Atlanta doing what I always wanted to do. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for my future and pray I can glorify Him in everything I do!
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My family didn’t support my ambition for a long time. Acting was and is my passion and it was really hard to hear that it was something I shouldn’t go after. Additionally, living on your own right after getting out of school with no steady job was very difficult. Trying to keep your head above water by figuring out how to pay bills while trying to find work isn’t an easy endeavor. But it does help you grow up and find ways to make things work within your means. Advice that I have is to always follow your dreams and your heart. If it’s what you’re meant to do, it will happen. And always be willing to take risks and push through the times when you want to give up. Moving to New York with no job was probably not the smartest thing, but it helped me mature tremendously and learn that I need to network and make connections. Now, I can say that I lived in one of the best cities in the world! Don’t regret anything; you’ll always learn from your experiences.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am currently best known for my Casting and Production Assistant roles, as well as an actress and radio personality. What I’m most proud of as a brand is my love for helping others and telling stories, and everything I do plays into that. My love for acting and seeing talent is what prompted my desire to work in casting. I love helping actors get roles for projects. Knowing the casting process has also helped me understand how it all works from a casting director’s perspective. If I’m able to assist others by being a Production Assistant I am more than willing because I want to help bring their projects to life. And if there’s an opportunity, I would love to also help by performing. For my radio segment “What’s Poppin with Shannon,” I share what’s happening within the Fine Arts world, including work and networking opportunities, events throughout the city and the country, and personal or celebrity vignettes about experiences in the entertainment world. I want everyone to gain knowledge and opportunities that I did/didn’t get. It’s all about helping each other get along in this tough world! We all deserve the opportunity to succeed.
Who have you been inspired by?
My mom, grandma, and Dr. Latangela Crossfield (aka Dr. Tangi, my mentor) have inspired me in my life! Along with my dad, my mom is truly my #1 supporter and always keeps pushing me to do better in everything I do. She was the one who first pushed me to start acting again after years of not pursuing it. Now, she always encourages me to never give up no matter what any haters say. She always knows the right things to say or do when I have no idea what I’m doing. She also reminds me to keep God first with everything I do because it’s all for Him at the end of the day. My grandma acts similarly. She loves to send me encouraging texts and phone calls to never give up on my dreams and to keep pushing through the dark times. She is so full of wisdom and knowing that she believes in me wholeheartedly means so much to me. Dr. Tangi was the one who took me in when I first got to Atlanta. She gave me opportunities I never imagined I’d have and through her, I’ve learned so much about business and maintaining relationships. She continuously encourages me to do whatever I feel passionate about and to stay focused at all times. Her knowledge is invaluable and I’m so blessed to have her as my mentor!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://shannonvick.com
- Email: shannoncvick@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonvick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.vick.5
Image Credit:
Neriah Kharece for the “My Talk With Shelly” photo
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