Cas Sigers Beedles is bursting with creativity. The North Carolina State University graduate started her career as a clothing designer, working in children’s wear and later transitioned to a costumer for film and stage.
In 2005, she created Nina Holiday Entertainment with business partner, Terri Vaughn – an NAACP Image Award-winning actress – to develop feature film and television projects.
By 2006, the duo had produced and shot the documentary Angels Can’t Help But Laugh. And,Cas optioned several screenplays including A Cross to Bear starring Kim Fields and Malinda Williams. The movie aired on the GMC Network in February 2012.
Cas has worked as a producer for BET’s “Tiny & Toya,” an associate director for TV One’s “Verses & Flow” and a script supervisor for the “Mo’Nique Show.” She is currently working with GMC Network as a writer and producer for their movies of the month.
To top it off, Cas has a book deal with Kensington Press and has penned nearly 10 works of women’s fiction under the imprint Urban Books and she is currently writing a science fiction novel.
In this interview, the North Carolina native, who collaborated with Studio 11 Films to serve as a mentor for the 11Eleven11 Project’s film Boost of Love, talks quirky style and shares tips to capitalize on creativity and find success in the entertainment industry. –yvette caslin
What drew you to this project?
Loved the concept of the elderly boosters
Zodiac Sign:
Gemini
What is your background in the entertainment industry?
I’m a writer and producer – 10 years
Why do you mentor?
It’s necessary to give back and to keep the knowledge going
How do you assess your mentees (students)?
Giving writing advice, techniques, ways to keep them motivated
What is the ideal mentor/student relationship?
Providing constructive criticism on scripts and seeing the progress and improvement. Also, sharing character development ideas is always exciting.
How would you describe your personal style?
Quirky, funny but always real
How do you give credit where credit is due?
God and parents for allowing me to be me
How do you show others that you believe in them?
Listening and encouraging and letting writers know that the key is to “get it out.” Edit later, but just get it out of your head and on the paper. When they see what was in them, they start to believe in themselves
Who has influenced you the most?
Not really, who? But, Life’s experiences
How do you guide your students to approach the unknown?
Encourage them to always dream and to make those dreams a reality
