Today we’d like to introduce you to Cas Sigers Beedles.
Cas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you so much for having me! My story as a professional writer began when my first book, “A Girl Named Lily”, was published. I gave a copy to actress Terri J. Vaughn, who in turn took it to her agent at the time. We worked to get the book optioned and through that process, Terri and I developed our production company, Nina Holiday. Our goal was, and still is, to create beautiful stories for women who look like us. The big push for diversity hadn’t begun yet, and brown stories were scarce. We sent a script to executive Brad Siegel at an Atlanta network and he made our first film, “A Cross to Bear”, which starred actors who were unknown at the time but are huge movie stars now – Storm Reid and Danielle Deadwyler. I am now co-producing the feature film “Becoming Noble” for Paramount along with Storm and her mom Robyn Simpson!
With the success of “A Cross to Bear”, Teri and I began developing and producing more films. Producing came along by default because we realized that if we wanted to tell varying stories we would have to do it ourselves. Terri directed and I wrote our first solely independent project “Digital Lives Matter” in 2016 with producer Rikki Hughes. This led to a number of years when Terri and I worked as a writing-directing team for networks including TVOne, Aspire, UpTV, and BET. I have continued to write independently and work with various other networks, most recently being Hallmark. My film “Unthinkably Good Things” launched Hallmark’s new Mahogany brand in the summer of 2022, which we shot in Rome.
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?
There have certainly been challenges in my career along the way. At times being in Atlanta is challenging because Hollywood is an industry town and still perceives this city to be an outsider. Even though tons of projects are shot here, development is still done in Los Angeles and New York. As a working creative, it’s imperative to have representation in one of those other cities. Gaining respect as a writer and director is a little harder living in Atlanta, so there is always an underlying feeling that you have to justify that you are as good as the other talents living in LA and NY. But I love Atlanta – and there are so many talented people here who are absolutely wonderful to work with.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have enjoyed writing feel good comedies and family stories and it’s wonderful to have been nominated for three NAACP Image Awards, but there is another side that I wanted to nurture– the crime action side. I got a taste for this when I penned “The Falicia Blakely Story” for TVOne and I began telling grittier stories. My long-term goal is to write and direct a project on the level of a Fast & Furious– a franchise would also be nice.
In 2020, I added directing to my plate with my directorial debut “Open” for BET, which I also wrote. Most recently I wrote and directed Scheme Queens, a crime heist starring various social media influencers will premiere on BET HER on December 31. So, you can ring in the New Year with me and my Scheme Queens!
Mentorship is also very important to me, I teach writing seminars and work with newer writers and help with their careers. I produced and directed “Mediator”, which is currently available on Tubi. This was a film written by one of my students, Maggie Bush. My goal is to get funding so I can continue with a slate of student projects. The hardest thing about this business is getting in the door and having a resume is paramount. Yet, one can’t build a resume if they can’t get work, so producing the works of newer writers is very important to me. There are so many younger people with amazing talent and great stories and I feel it’s my job as a seasoned professional, with over 17 network/studio films, to hold the door open so that our ATL legacy of creatives continues to flourish.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Sure! I started my journey in entertainment as a costume designer and I’ve gone on the road with touring stage plays. By far my most exciting tour was in 1995, costuming Biggie, Lil Kim, and Junior Mafia… that was an adventure.
Another very funny story – my first day shooting “Hamlet and Hutch” with Burt Reynolds, he got so angry about a question in the script that he cursed me out. It was so funny because he’s iconic, he’s a legend and he was furious! However, the next day he was lovely and we had an amazing experience shooting with him. But I will never forget the day Burt Reynolds cursed at me!
Contact Info:
- Website: cassigers.com
- Instagram: @cassigers
- Facebook: cas sigers Beedles
- Twitter: @ninaholiday
Here is a list of where you can see Cas’s work.
2022 – Scheme Queens (writer/director/producer) premiering on BET HER on December 31
2022 – The Holiday Stocking (writer) premiering on Hallmark Mahogany on December 3
2022 – Unthinkably Good Things – writer (Currently Available on Hallmark Mahogany)
2021 – Sugar Plum Twist – writer – (Currently airing on Hallmark Channel)
2021 – Mediator – producer – (Currently available on TubiTV)
2020– Open – writer and director (Currently available on Prime)
2019– Angrily Ever After– writer (Currently available on Prime)
2019 – The Waiting Room – writer and director
2019 – Chaos before Christmas – writer and NAACP Image award nominee (Currently available on Prime and Hulu)
2019 – Hip Hop Holiday – writer (Currently available on BET Plus, fubuTV and Hulu)
2018 – Merry Wishmas– writer (Currently available on on TubiTV)
2017 – When Love Kills; The Falicia Blakely Story – writer (Currently available on TubiTV)
2016 – Welcome to the Family – writer
2015 – Girlfriends’ Getaway 2 – writer (Currently available on TubiTV)
2014 – Girlfriends’ Getaway 1 – writer (Currently available on TubiTV)
2017 – #DigitalLivesMatter – writer (Currently available on TubiTV)
2015 – Hamlet & Hutch -writer (Currently available on Peacock)
Image Credits
Donna Purmell – color headshot and full body in black Joy Ludwig – black and white set picture
