Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Bell.
Cassandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my journey as a writer in High School I wrote for my school newspaper. I deviated off of that goal by pursuing a career in the entertainment profession for over 12 years as a dancer, model and choreographer. I worked with such notables as EMI Records, Laface and Arista. I was raised on the west side of Chicago and began writing while studying drama at the local park district arts program on the west side at Lafollette Park. My drama teachers was the late Jimmy Sphinx, a local actor who starred in Car Wash. I continued this journey by attending Columbia College ad Roosevelt University. Due to my advancing career I had to leave in an effort to gain experience being on the road and practicing my craft. I eventually joined a singing group, named Simply Nastee whom Da Brat is an Alumni, as I continued my pursuit in entertainment. As a member of a group called ASK HER who was signed to Ginuwine label, That group was due to be signed to a recording contract with at the time was Sony 550 but due to us blowing our showcase, which is a tragic story we were eventually dropped which changed the course of our lives. I would find myself in multiple singing groups working with such artist as, R Kelly, Donnell Jones, Eric Sermon, Babyface, LA Reid, Marc Nelson, Alphonzo Hunter, Comedian Kellye Howard, Damon Williams, B Cole, Christian Keyes, Terrell Carter, Miguel Nunez, Jackie Harry and more. Due to the devastation of losing our recording contract I wanted to change lanes and returned back to my roots of writing. I was devastated but not defeated. I found myself falling in love with another aspect to performance, I started penning original plays and directing. I spent the last seven years honing my craft and have written multiples, plays and had the opportunity to direct version of Annie, Disney High School Musial, The Wiz, and Fats Waller Ain’t Mis Behavin. I started winning awards for writing and Directing, as well as my philanthropy in the area of Social Justice. I have been featured on ABC, NBC, Fox News, WGN and more as well as winning 8 awards. I recently won the Sam Robertson Memorial Award for Social Justice by Congo Square Theater. My journey into entertainment has been non-traditional but very fulfilling. I have expanded my carrier into film, I completed my feature film, September Rayne, Horror Short ” Head Shot” and I am currently working on a feature called, Cinderella and 3 web series, Spade, Blu Monday and God Of Children and a short called Gum Under the table.
Has it been a smooth road?
This journey has had some series pot holes, as a woman brand in a male dominated industry this has been a fight for sanity and self-respect. I have been sexually harassed, bullied, misrepresented, lied on, sabotaged, and highly criticized. So many woman in this industry find themselves as victims of lustful male intent and dominance and I am saying this politically correct. They want that casting couch to be hot baby. However, I never felt the need to sacrifice myself or my integrity for fame. As a result I have experienced tremendous lost. I have had footage stolen from my documentary, SAVE ME 2 LIVE, I have been the victim of scam production companies, I have had footage destroyed and withheld, I have been given footage without sound, I have been cursed out, stalked, threatened with physical violence, I recently had a professional sound man cut off all the sound on a play just because he was mad at me because he wanted to extort more money shamming a producer and I exposed him. As a woman in this industry you have to have tough skinned, strong faith, have self-worth and be fearless.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The name of my company is Cassandra Bell Studio’s, and I am a Multi-Media Production company. My company deals with everything from the initial content of the project to completion. We facilitate scripting, scheduling, casting and more. We work to provide a wrap around ensuring client satisfaction. We are not a marketing company, but we do work with our clients start to finish. As a brand I have worked to bring original and traditional variety to satisfy our audience entertainment palette. I allow myself to be ordinary in an extraordinary way, I go above and beyond to make sure that my audience have an experience. I am most proud of my children productions, I love working with the youth. I have been coined the “Directoress” or “Kiddie Director” for my ability to work with large numbers of youth successfully. My kids’ productions are magical because I believe there is a big kid in all of us just waiting to get out. Cassandra Bell Studios is known for timeless productions, As an Art Director and Set designer my eye for beauty is high, so I have many talents and skills. I am a Beast, I respect time, I count time and I do not waste time. My biggest difference that makes my company unique is high end glamour at a very affordably cost. My sets and ward robing be flawless.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love Chicago, The beauty of Chicago is like no other city. It is my belief that the talent is phenomenal here. Chicago has a swagger that once cultivated makes for amazing presence on scene and on stage. I like our resources here and I love my new support system and mentors. If you are just starting out, I would suggest educating yourself, whether its online classes, seminars, workshops and conference. Chicago is very political so the biggest factor is just networking. However, I love MY CITY, I feel as though we have a lot to offer but we just don’t always offer it to people of color. So many African Americans in film and theater are very coveting, insecure and envious. We can do a better job as people assisting and supporting each other. This city has some serious haters, it is that “Why Not Me” mentality that can be cankerous.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cassandrabellastudios.com
- Phone: 404-942-8000
- Email: cassandrabellstudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cassandrabellstudios
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cassandra.bell2
- Twitter: twitter.com/cassandrabellst
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/cassandrabellstudios
Image Credit:
Maurice Gun
Marcus Fizer
Film Barrel Studios
Cassandra Bell
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