Meet Rhavynn Drummer of RAD Media in Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhavynn Drummer.

Rhavynn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always had a love for performing and theatre, but I thought I was going to be a doctor. So, I went to the University of Virginia to study medicine. Once I failed Chemistry twice, I decided that a career in medicine wasn’t for me and chose to focus on theater. I graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Theater and American Studies. I got an internship at Tyler Perry Studios a few months before graduating and moved to Atlanta, two weeks after leaving college. I worked with producers Roger Bobb and Reuben Cannon until I landed in the casting department. I worked there as a Casting Assistant for four years before being promoted to Casting Director. I’ve worked as a Casting Director since 2011 and I’ve had the privilege of casting the television shows, plays and feature films at Tyler Perry Studios. I also cast freelance and have cast for Nike, YouTube Red, Nickelodeon and Starz.

I’m also a filmmaker and content creator. In 2014, I created my first digital series,”Good Girls”, about four women of faith navigating their individuality in Atlanta. I also co-wrote and co-directed the digital series “Brooklyn Blue Sky”, about two college lovers and writers that come together after years apart to write a pilot for a Netflix competition. “Brooklyn Blue Sky” was licensed by BET and can be found on BET.com and the BET App.

Has it been a smooth road?
There’s nothing like looking in your bank account and seeing $0.48 in your account! When I moved to Atlanta, I knew no one, I had no friends or family in Atlanta. On top of that, when I first started working as an intern, it was unpaid. I used my graduation money to pay my bills until it ran out. The adjustment from college to a broke working girl was very difficult. Outside of the financial difficulties, the struggle of moving to a new city and a new job with no “welcome orientation” was really trying in the beginning. It took me about 6 months to a year before I felt like I was getting the hang of things.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the RAD Media story. Tell us more about the business.
RAD Media encompasses casting services, content creation and educational services. My main duties entail casting talent for television and film in the Atlanta area. My passion is creating content. We also provide educational workshops to teach actors how to master their auditions. I go to colleges and schools throughout the country doing hands-on workshops to prepare actors for entering the professional market.

My goal is the uplift the Atlanta market in terms of talent and content. I’ve been in Atlanta for 11 years. I’ve seen its growth but I also look forward to it’s potential. My focus is to create a system where the business of film and television can be actualized, not just the production. I’m proud that my business is contributing to empowering the talent pool and increasing the canon of great work to come out of Atlanta.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think we’ll see more artists finding audiences, closing deals and making strides without the typical studio system in the next 5-10 years. I think we’ll continue to see a shift toward digital content. I think short form content will rule. Short films, mini-series and web series will rise.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rhavynndrummer.com
• Email: rhavynn@rhavynndrummer.com
• Instagram: @rhavynn
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rhavynn.drummer
• Other: www.youtube.com/user/Rhavynn7

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