Today we’d like to introduce you to Queen Norris.
Hi Queen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I always knew that I wanted to be a writer, I use to create books out of notebook and construction paper and force my brother and cousins to read them. The older I got, I realized that I loved playing with cameras. When I got to the eighth grade, I decided to marry my two loves and become a filmmaker.
I attended Howard University for a semester before being kicked out for lack of funding. Not wanting to go back home, I joined the army where I spent twelve years of my life. I got out, went back to school and finished my film degree. A time later, I put out my first short film, Things Fall Together, in 2019. The film gained a lot of success. A few months later, I put out my second short film, Situationship, and it got over a million views on YouTube.
In 2022, I wrote, produced and directed my first feature, Til My Casket Drops, and put it on Tubi. It reached number 1 and remained in the top five for over six weeks. Now I have finished my second feature, Danksgiving, and it will be out on a platform the end of spring.
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’s always obstacles on the road to success. I had no intention on being in the military, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, and coming home with PTSD issues as well as physical injuries. Then the problems you run into being a woman, especially a black woman, in this very heavily male-dominated industry. But I am maintaining my mental and continuing to follow my dreams.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sets me apart from other filmmakers is that I know every job on set. I am a writer-director but I know lighting, I know cameras, I know story, I know how to edit and I know how to run every stage and phase of production.
I write like a director and direct like an editor, which makes producing a film very easy for me.
I’m humbled and always willing to learn and grow, even from those under me.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always looking to help and collaborate with other filmmakers. I don’t believe in hiding information, but you have to be working. I hate when someone asks me to help them but they haven’t even taken the first steps or haven’t done any research on the very basic things.
As far as supporting me, you can checkout Til My Casket Drops on Tubi and be on the lookout for Danksgiving dropping very soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: QiiFilms.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Queen_of_Qii
- Facebook: Facebook.com/QiiFilms
- Youtube: YouTube.com/QiiFilms
- Other: Instagram.com/Qii_Films
