What is it like starting as a new filmmaker?
I think that the main [thing] is trying to figure out where the funding is going to come from because the ideas are in abundance, but the money is not always going to blend in to make the ideas come true. I realized early on that another currency that most people don’t talk about is resources and community. I was able to create using those. From the things that I created with [the] community and with the film community, I was able to get opportunities. I always tell people to just try to use what you have already to create what you can. If you just continue to create, the opportunities will come. So that’s pretty much what happened during my career journey. You find ways [to] pivot and you figure it out.
What effect did international school have on your talent?
It was called Shanghai Normal University and we would do creative writing classes, which was just fun. Being in the culture and experiencing different cultures forms your storytelling. That’s why I really like to travel because the more you experience life and other people and other cultures and other languages, the more you’re informed. We would go to Beijing to explore, which is also a big part of storytelling. I think people should explore because then you have everything to talk about. Try learning about different things. I feel like going broadened my perspective.
Della Mae has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
