- [on working one of Peter Falk's last episodes of Columbo] It was surreal like stepping back into a time machine, as my Grandpa and I would watch the series when I was little having always loved those 70's TV shows with a cast of cameos. I was one of the only women on the crew and definitely the youngest. I loved every minute of it. I learned so much about old Hollywood (and cigars) especially from Patrick McGoohan who took me under his wing. He loved complex detective and spy characters who showed their brains before their gun, where there's a blurred line between good and evil. Not only did he write and direct that episode but he also played the villain with such fervency, a true legend.
- [on diversity in Hollywood in 2016] It's still a major major issue lacking both behind and in front of the camera, yet we're at a boom time in Hollywood where wonderful and inspirational creatives are not only writing and casting from global-minded reflective perspectives, but staffing their above and below the line crews in such a way that has never been seen before. I'm thinking of the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers Ava DuVernay, Joey Soloway, Mindy Kaling and up and comers Misha Green and Issa Rae just to name a few. They're not only stars in their own right, but artists who have worked so hard individually yet understand the benefits of the team approach. Creating collaborative content that not only reaches and reflects but has proven to be highly profitable. A positive ripple effect has been happening, hopefully it's a tipping point, where networks and studios are starting to sit up, pay attention and follow suit. Netflix and Amazon have helped pave the way to show the studios what audiences really want, what we've been lacking, while allowing a great deal of creative latitude where it counts. Personally, I'm a also huge fan of Hollywood game changers Charles D. King and Kim Roth at Macro or phenoms John Legend and Pharrell Williams who are developing and producing a wide array of incredibly diverse projects across all formats all with a conscientious approach. And of course the incredible, ok I'm going to geek out for a minute, John Ridley who is such an inspiration to me personally and professionally. How he sees the world, how he creates and communicates from a such a reflective space, whether through his novels, screenplays, documentaries, his casting, directing, his graphic novels, which by the way should be a mega million dollar franchise by now, why it isn't I don't know. He is someone who writes raw yet always seems to be daring the audience to engage with more understanding and empathy, which I believe can actually create positive change in the world. What Ridley does, what we're all capable of doing though film and tv, no matter at what level it may be, is more exciting than just creating entertainment.
- [on working with Viola Davis] It was an honor to just be in the presence of such an incredibly hard working and gorgeous person. She's inspirational on so many levels as an artist, activist, woman and mother. She absolutely sets the tone on and off the set, where everyone ups their game, wanting to do better and be better, just to try to match her abilities and level of commitment to the craft, which is nearly impossible. She's amazing, and not in that LA millennial superlative way. Viola truly is amazing. I can't wait for her to be producing and directing.
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