Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmin Neal.
Yasmin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a Screenwriter, Director, Executive Producer, Producer, Politico and more, who was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. I am a native of Georgia. I was the youngest member of the GA House of Representatives from the 2011-2013; elected at the age of 25 years old. I studied at Yale, at the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University in 2014. I also have a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and an MBA in Global Management. I also attended Clayton State University Georgia Film Academy Film School (Production Course). I was a police officer/detective on the Chief’s Staff at the Clayton County Police Department, specializing in policy and accreditation. She was a Detective in the Major Felony Unit (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Child Crimes, etc.). I also worked at the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department as an Internal Affairs/ Backgrounds and Hiring Investigator, and then an Investigator in the Fugitive Unit (working undercover).
I interned with Georgia Public Broadcasting as a Production Assistant of 40+ live shows working behind and in front of the camera. I was also a writer for the Clayton News Daily, Henry Daily Herald Newspaper and wrote for The Spectator, which is the newspaper at Valdosta State University. I worked on or advised on various projects, script consultant for a screenwriting class. I sold a horror screenplay in 2014 within three months of being in California. Prior production, “Heartland,” has shown in various festivals and won awards for best editing, sound, and set design.
Festival Successes:
My award-winning production, “Queen of Kings” is currently in the film festival circuit. It was selected to be shown at the National Black Film Festival in Houston, Texas, and was nominated for Best Promotional Trailer and Best Short Film at that Content Creators Awards and won the award for Best Short Film. Queen of Kings won the Audience Award 2017 at a Filmmakers Showcase in Savannah, Ga. Queen of Kings was also was a semi-finalist in Canada at the Best Short Fest 2017 and premiered at the Dope Flix film screening in Atlanta, GA in 2018. The film, Incensed, won the “Best of Festival” for Atlanta and is nominated for “Best Sound Award,” and also premiered at the Rome Film Festival 2017. Incensed also premiered at the 2018 Georgia Film Festival and at the Wifta Film Showcase in 2018.
In 2018, my Horror short, Enoch, premiered at the Oregon Screamfest 2018 and the Hotlanta Horror Festival 2018 where it was nominated for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Scariest Moment, Best Horror Overall, Best Microshort and it won Best Director and Best Scariest Moment. Recently, In 2019, Enoch, the horror, also premiered at Women in Horror/Thriller Fest in New York. My action short film, Dear Hard Work, also premiered at the Circle City Festival and won the top 5 Award. Dear Hard Work and Enoch have been picked as Official Selections for the National Black Film Festival 2019 in Houston Texas, and Enoch was recently an Official Selection for the NEPA Horror Film Festival 2019 in Pennsylvania.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been worth it. On the filmmaking side, I have had to learn a lot on my own. As with most things people are not as welcoming as one would assume, especially with information or with providing information. Then when it comes to contacts and who knows who, many try to hold those things close to themselves as well. Because of that, many in filmmaking have to truly find and navigate our way, in the best way possible. As many of us know, there are moments in life where there are barriers whether they be life challenges or us simply getting in our own way. But with each new challenge, it was an opportunity for me to overcome it. The constant that remains is that I keep going. I always keep going. Since I have always lead a life of going after big dreams just the challenge of the size of those dreams is burden enough. I figure, you only live once, you may as well go after everything you want. “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footsteps on the moon.”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Charlee White Productions – what should we know?
I make films. Period. My goal is to provide a multifaceted, non-stereotypical story that will take your mind off of any trials and tribulations in life that you may be going through. My goal is to entertain and send a message or two when necessary. I do commercial and narrative work. I would have to ask what I am known for now lol but I would “LIKE” to be known for telling reeeeally dope stories. Stories that are different from the norm. I am most proud of the amazing people that I have worked with, that trust me. I am super proud of the quality of work that we put out. I think and hope that the primary things that set me apart is how I treat people, and the type of stories I tell, When people hear my name or see my name come across the screen, I want them to say to themselves… “This is about to be good, real good!”
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can honestly say there are too many people to name on the filmmaking side. I have to sincerely say any teammates that have worked on a film of mine deserve credit. I can’t create without a team, Period. I am HUMBLED at the people that come out for me. People come from out of state often and I am floored at the support. My DP/Editor Tery Wilson is one driving force in my filmmaking and that partnership allowed for the world to see what women can do when we come together. For the most part, women have run the camera on almost all of my productions. Bridget Lamonica on steadicam is my spirit animal; she gets my vision. And the list can go on for days, but I have to acknowledge every team that has stepped on set with me has been amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charleewhite.com
- Email: ohheycharlee@gmail.com
- Instagram: @megayazzy @ohheycharlee
- Facebook: Yasmin Neal
Image Credit:
Di Thomas Photography
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