INTERVIEW with Nyasha Daley
Can you explain to the audience your career?
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist who has always been fascinated with people and prose; I love sharing stories – they’re a bridge across experience and remind us all that we have more in common than we have difference. I’ve been a professional marketer and communicator for most of my career, moving into the Arts over the last decade. This was my first ever film, but not my first story telling venture; I’ve been a poet for decades and prior to this feature, completed my first 3-Act play also. My potential and successes have been recognised with the honour of acceptance into the prestigious Clore Fellowship 2022/23.
How many years have you been making movies?
Black, Queer & Done was my first ever film!
Why did you start making movies?
Film was simply the best medium for the story I wanted to share. I’d previously been a theatre artiste and this process has definitely made me fall deeper in love with the silver screen. In fact, my next project will definitely be another film.
Tell us a little about your project. What will the audience be able to see in your film?
Black, Queer & Done was created during a time of global challenge; as well as dealing with the impacts of national lockdowns, there was also the backdrop of the civil rights movement that was Black Lives Matter. Audiences will hear unfiltered voices sharing authentic experiences, not normally viewed in mainstream media.
Why did you do this project?
I wanted to share the real messages that I was hearing across the Black LGBT+ artistic community about their experiences, in a way that I could present to diverse audiences (especially elders within the Black community who might have stereotypical views about the younger generations).
One of the problems some directors encounter is directing actors and dealing with some actors, especially in the amateur world. How do you see this topic? What kind of work do you do with them?
All of the contributors and performers who participated were a joy to work with; thankfully, as this was a documentary, they were able (and encouraged) to show up as their authenctic selves.
A good movie takes care of all departments. But normally we can not allocate all the resources to have a good photography or spend a lot of money on sound post production or budget to hire actors. In your project what % have you allocated to. I don't just mean money but time as well. Of 100% of the time/money, what % did you dedicate to each department?
-Direction: 20%
-Photography: 2.5%
-Sound: 10%
-Post-production: 42.5%
-Work with performers: 10%
-Art direction/locations: 15%
If you could go back, what would you change about this project? (1 thing only)
Budget!
What are you happiest about this project?
The final film; we had a tiny Budget, worked within multiple restrictions and had mutliple obstacles to production. And yet we were able to present the contributors’ voices and performer’s pieces, in a compelling and authentic way.
Make a wish to the movie gods. What do you ask?
Time, space and twice as much budget to make my next movie 😊
What movie would you have liked to direct?
I would have loved to shadow The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinart) on Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (my favourite contemporary film).
What kind of cinema do you like? Genre, directors, actors?
I love a bit of science fiction; I don’t really have a favourite actor… I prefer real people!
Imagine that all the movies are going to be lost. If you could save 3 movies, what would they be?
Usual Suspects; The Matrix; Get Out
If you have more projects underway, can you give us a bit of information?
I’m currently researching for a feature documentary exploring Black (heterosexual) relationships, specifically dating; I’m interested in the changes to protocols, the influence of social media and the differences between Black Western, Caribbean and African expectations.
