Today we’d like to introduce you to Selana Allen.
Selana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I left home at sixteen. Irreconcilable differences are to blame, and I’ll leave it at that until my autobiography comes out in about another twenty years. Born and raised in New Orleans, I was a latch-key-kid, MTV generation reject destined to be seen by any means necessary. I found myself moving out to the San Francisco Bay Area to become an actress.
I did alright. I won a San Francisco film festival award, a Golden Apple Award in Education from Paramount Kitchen, presently known as Viacom; I was one of the first actors to be filmed for interactive television, which would someday be the norm for viewing television on this new thing called the ‘INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY’, presently known as the internet. I lived there for 14 years (1991-2005} before moving to Georgia exactly fourteen years ago.
Prior to graduating from Georgia State University (GSU), I was an employee and nontraditional scholar at Spelman College. I was able to study political science there courtesy of Spelman’s generous employee tuition waiver. That ride lasted for three years, until the college cut a lot of departments because of the economy’s downward spiral at that time (2009). This was the catalyst for a series of transitions in return to the artist’s lifestyle…hungry artist’s lifestyle. Within the span of four months I’d gotten divorced, bought my first home (One my own: no alimony, nor lucrative divorce settlements here!) and received a lay-off notice from the college. Obama was president. I was elated and devastated all at the same time. No husband, no job, no school…NO BACKUP PLAN. Will I be able to keep my new house? Will I continue my studies? How? Who am I without everything I thought would make me happy and secure? What was the endgame here?
I grieve. I cry. I start over.
There are always people who rescue you in times of crisis…if you’ve selected the right friends. Those true DAY ONES. My play-brother, B.G. funded a trip to New York for me to get my thoughts and next steps in alignment. It was a necessary and generous act. I went to NYC and he introduced me to other independent artists who were doing great work. One evening we just walked through NYC meeting up with local artists, who shared their struggles, triumphs and begin-again stories. These exchanges inspired me to return to the arts. One way or another…Just find a way. When I returned to Atlanta, I transfer to GSU to study film and video. By 2013, I receive my degree; emphasis on screenwriting (self-imposed). I then started photography, videography, screenwriting and performance coaching sessions…because “YES I CAN”.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Everything is easy. If there is gold all around you and you’re still struggling, then the issue is you…”
I used to believe this. It sounds motivational, right? It’s an excellent method for burning yourself out; which is exactly what I did. I had this all-consuming need to prove myself by taking on way too much and being afraid to make mistakes. The biggest challenge was resisting that myth that I can do everything on your own. Success is about perseverance sure…But, it’s also who you know and who likes you #periodt.
People’s social media lives can be very obstructive to your efforts. Especially if your grand plan is handing you its derrière to kiss, but your peers appear to be POWER winning at adulting. They are, or at least that’s what they’re posting. But, it’s toxic to compare yourself to what you see on someone else’s timeline, without honoring your own achievements…and failures. Yep, I said what I said. Don’t @ me. Knowing the patterns of your shortcomings, helps to make us better people. I still struggle with this concept…but, it works.
Sure. I could tell you more about my obstacles. But, you’ve seen THAT MOVIE. A failed marriage; a few deaths including murder and suicide of relatives who shaped me in one form or another; a passion project that that survives several production evolutions over almost a decade…and BOOM! There’s my obstacles. But, like I said…you’ve seen that movie. Its cliffhangers and revelations are dynamic at all of the right plot points. However, my recovery is what I choose to share on this platform.
“What don’t kill is fattening…” -Dr. Luisah Teish
What won’t kill you makes you strong!
I recover by creating and artistry. I recover with humor and forgiveness of self and the things I simply were too inexperienced to comprehend. I know better, now. So…through default I do better. But, grant myself the same patience and forgiveness that I extend to others.
SelanaLaVonne.Com – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
“Jack/Jill…Jamoke/Jaheim of all trades” – ME
– Online and In Real Life (IRL) Performance /Acting Sessions
– Photography
– Screenwriting/Video/Editing
I evolve with the times. YouTube tutorials have made everyone a specialist/ guru at something. So, when the photography clients don’t need a photographer because their iPhones replace my skill set just fine for half the price…I segue towards my screenwriting and performance coaching clients. I’m in the midst of writing a pitch bible for a client in the Midwest. Also, I’m the co-producer of a show “Dream: The Urban Musical”, which is in development with a new platform called Trace.TV and Theshay West Productions. These are flashy and an amazing feat to have accomplished for a little girl from New Orleans. But, the aspects of my career I most enjoy are the performance coaching coach sessions for beginning actors and artists who want to improve their marketability, and range as a performer.
My products and work ethic stands out because I’m really skilled at making clients understand the interiors of the process. Each project is given careful consideration and priority. That’s what you pay for. The nature of my business is to empower clients with a finished product that exceeds expectations.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proud moments extend from the success of my clients. Whether a client’s photo produced more views/followers for them is a success for me. When a performer gets an audition, callback, or a standing ovation as a result of my coaching; that is a win for me. When my scripts are pleasing to the producers, it is a huge win for me.
I’ve had several evolutions and reinventions in my art. Each path comes with a moment that expands my understanding of what I can accomplish. So…twenty plus years ago my proudest moment would have been the film and theater acting acknowledgments; a few weeks ago it was a client’s successful acceptance into the performing arts school. However, my most consistent measurements of my success in my film career are the career achievements of actors who I have cast in productions and requests to write for clients and producers.
Pricing:
- Online and IRL Performance/Acting Sessions-$25.00 p/h
- Photography – $50.00 (starting)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.selanalavonne.com
- Phone: 6786639252
- Email: lana@selanalavonne.com
Image Credit:
Woodruff Park Fountains on location Photo – B. Alexander Photography, A Love Of Jazz Poster – Brandon Alexander and Selana Allen, On location with 4k camera – Theshay West Productions
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
