Earned Relevance

Producer Tarsha Proctor Standridge Answers Relevant Questions

I call her the Gordon Parks of our generation. That’s because when I first met Tarsha Proctor Standridge nine years ago she was crisscrossing the country writing a book about the 50th anniversary of the first black basketball player being accepted into the NBA. Today, you can find this Jill-of-all-trades as a photographer on a shoot capturing the essence of Vivica Fox or as a filmmaker documenting singer Joss Stone’s every move for her DVD intro.  Call her what you want, but make sure you include “mommy” on that list.  This proud mother of three and her husband (Grammy award winning music producer Glenn Standridge) make their stately home in Burbank, California. She’s an East Coast native at heart, however, and still gives back to her Washington, DC area communities.  Tarsha graciously sat down with us (virtually) to let us look inside her thoughts.

Let’s go.

Basic info:

Full Name: Tarsha Proctor Standridge

Hometown: Clinton, MD

Last school attended: The Pennsylvania State University

What you consider your career to be: Mom/Wife/Artistic Director, TAROTE Inc., Writer, Filmmaker

 
 …getting started.

What (when) was your first break in the business?  Who was the person who took a shot on you? I was an actress on Black Entertainment Television’s “Teen Summit.” Andrea Smith was the producer of the vignette’s. She interviewed me and hired me for the show.

What was the “aha” moment like when you said, “What the hell, I’m going to give it a shot (follow my dream)!”?  I wrote ,co-produced , and starred in the Black History Month Play my senior year at Suitland High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. The rehearsals were so amazing. I was among some of the most talented folks I had ever met. I utilized students in all departments for this production. From the visual arts department to the music department. It felt so right!

Describe that first moment when you were doing what you love and you felt like you made the right decision.  The above mentioned moment at Suitland High School can certainly be described as a Heaven high. This was the first experience I had in getting no sleep and still being extremely amped about something. I remember very vividly working out the kinks of the production. The  creative process kept me up late at night. Usually, losing sleep is a serious obstacle! I love to sleep. lol However, when I am working on a project losing sleep doesn’t seem like the worst thing in the world.

At this very moment, are you passionate about what you are doing? Yes, absolutely!

…inspiring to you.

What (who) inspires you? My children and the young people I come in contact with through my non-profit. Children are the building blocks of the future. Imagine how bright our future can be if we, the adults, invest our time and resources in children.

What’s the most surreal experience you’ve had in the business? Meeting Stan Lathanon the set of Roc at 18. As a high school student, I participated in a summer film workshop for minorities at Penn State. Stan Lathan is a PSU alumni. Part of our weekly routine was participating in a conference call with industry insiders to talk about their experiences. On the conference call with Mr. Lathan I asked him if I could visit the set of Roc the following year. He was happy to confirm my request. I spent several days shadowing him and learning the daily routine of directing the show. That was beyond exciting for me!

Who is your favorite colleague to work with?  Dynamic Director of Photography Martin Proctor

If you could pick one person to work with who you have not, who would that be?
Samuel L Jackson

Who do you admire? (No mom or dad allowed) Harriet Tubman, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, and Gina Prince-Bythewood. All three of these women have blazed trails and made a conscious effort to put their community first in their pursuits.

Gadget(s) of choice?  PowerBook (Mac) and my crackberry…oops I mean Blackberry. LOL
 
…so disappointing.

 What’s one thing you’ve done to disappoint yourself? Not sure…

What do others do that disappoints you?  Sexual harassment is by far something that continues to anger me. Men and women need to learn how to control their behavior.

How is the economic recession impacting you?  It is not.

Which part of your job could you give up in an instant?  Dealing with arrogant celebrities. Ego trippin’ is just not necessary. There’s always someone more accomplished, wealthier, smarter, prettier, etc.

…leave ‘em with this..

How do you deal with adversity? I pray that God will guide my steps, my lips, and my actions in a way that will best serve His plan for my life. Ultimately I know that He wouldn’t put me through anything that I can not handle.

What quote/saying are you best known for? “God’s vision for you is sometimes bigger than the vision you have for yourself.”

What do you do when you are not on the grind/road? Volunteer at my daughter’s school and manage my household.

What’s next for you? I’m currently co-directing a documentary on the Inglewood chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I’ll be directing a play summer 09 for the youth in gorgeous Prince George’s county, Maryland.

Where can we find you online? www.tarote-usa.org

I’m also on Facebook.

If you had one last song to sing, line to deliver, or speech to give to a waiting audience of millions, what would you leave them with? “I’m every woman…it’s all in me!”..lol

To follow the conversation about Tarsha on Twitter click here.