12 minute read
STACEY BENNETT AND SHARI BELAFONTE
Belafonte Shari Blancett Stacey
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Shari Belafonte is an American actress, model, writer and singer. The daughter of singer Harry Belafonte, she began her career as a fashion model before making her big screen debut appearing in the 1982 drama film ”If You Could See What I Hear.” She is best known for her role as Julie Gillette in the ABC drama series Hotel from 1983 to 1988. She later went to star in the Canadian science fiction series Beyond Reality (1991–93). Belafonte also released two studio albums in 1980s, and acted on stage in later years. A short while ago she met Stacey Bennett, a marketing, public relations and project management specialist. They formed a production company called Rowan Moon.
Now, they are always on the move, pitching projects and coming up with new ideas but they were gracious enough to grant us an interview.
by Lon Levin
When did you first think about what you wanted to do as an adult? Were you encouraged or discouraged by family, friends, teachers, mentors?
Shari- My grandmother gave me my first camera when I was 4 years old. I was a tomboy growing up. Climbing and hanging out of trees. Getting into all kinds of mischief. Before ADHD was a household term, I was the poster child for it. The camera kept me occupied. I won’t say I was brilliant as a child photographer, certainly not in the beginning. I won’t say I’m brilliant now. But, I do capture moments that take my breath away and quite a few that others repost on their social media pages, which is very flattering. I should really remember to put water marks on some of them, especially the trademarked ones. But, I’ve always been fascinated with “telling a story,” like Ansel Adam’s and Richard Avedon, and no question that most of their photos are worth thousands of words, and sometimes mine seem to capture people’s attention too.
Stacey - I would love to say I had it all figured out, but I was a dreamer. I lived in a fantasy world filled with music. I would spend hours daydreaming about what my life was going to look like. It did not even come close but what it did for me was give me steppingstones to try. The most important thing I think my family
gave me was a safety net to know they had my back. I was always able to fly with practical conversation and reminded me never to take away my dreams. That happens still today. This has allowed me to move through many mediums and picking up skill sets that come in handy in any profession I choose. My life is filled with no fear and it is very freeing.
What kind of kid were you? Where did you grow up? What were your influences?
Shari- I spent most of my high school years in the dark room, rolling dozens of film canisters in the dark. Printing and anticipating that moment when the picture starts to develop. Nothing close to Adam’s or Avedon except once in a blue moon, but Now, it’s instant. Technology has taken a bit of the anticipation and awe away, none the less, stories evolve from those “snapshots,” and a moment in time is captured for posterity. And, let’s face it, smelling like developer was not the most attractive thing.
I always wanted to be “behind” the camera, and took acting classes primarily to understand the process the actor goes through. Ending up “on” camera as much as I have was kind of a fluke. I never thought of myself as being pretty, but someone told me “you could make money” doing commercials and print ads. I liked that idea, and that’s how it all began.
Stacey- I was very shy and introverted. I am born, raised and currently reside in San Diego, California. I grew up admiring very strong women on the silver screen such as Katherine Hepburn (My favorite and favorite movie is the ‘Philadelphia Story.’) But, my real idol through my teenage years and my hardest years was Joan Collins of ‘Dynasty.’ I really do believe she shaped my personality more than anyone. I lived my life in the movies and television. My favorite time of the year is the Oscars.
Tell us how your backgrounds played a part in your choice to be an actor/writer/producer?
Stacey - Nothing in my background played a part. I fell into this role by accident and just ran with it with my motto of “No Fear.” But my favorite motto is “I want to be a work in progress until the day I die.” I believe my marketing, public relations and project management will play a key role as I get more into the world of producing.
How did you meet and what made you decide to start Rowan Moon Productions?
Stacey – I was working for a magazine out of Germany and we decided to do a magazine show where I would interview different people and I reached out to Shari’s Manager at the time because she (Shari) has graced over 6 covers of Vogue Magazine which I believe makes her tied with Beyonce. I wanted to talk to her about her fashion experience. Our conversation lasted over two hours and there was so much information I decided to make a documentary. Our documentary ‘In The Know With Shari Belafonte’ won the San Diego Black Film Festival 2019. We also won an ‘Award of Merit’ from the ‘INDIEFest’ and showed at ‘Capitol City Film Festival’ in Houston and the ‘International Black Film Festival’ in Nashville. It was a great experience for me to be at those film festivals and meet film makers from around the world. During this time Shari convinced me to come into the world of producing and we started working on projects and making the rounds before COVID hit. Now the world is opening back up and I used the times during COVID to get everything ready i.e. our decks, email contacts and zoom meetings to get budgets and ideas solidified for when things get going.
Shari –Stacey and I met when my manager at the time set up an interview with her for what was initially supposed to be an internet interview. We shot for a few hours and she later decided to turn it into a documentary. Over the past couple of years we
became friendly and shared a passion for storytelling. An acquaintance of hers had lunch with me and he brought up the idea of a show about kids of famous musicians, but abandoned it. Stacey always loved the idea and asked me if I wanted to develop it with her. It seemed natural enough. No one is more sympathetic to being a scion than I am. But, I felt we needed to go beyond just kids of musicians. Following in famous footsteps is often quite daunting.pathetic to being a scion than I am. But, I felt we needed to go beyond just kids of musicians. Following in famous footsteps is often quite daunting.
Has the evolution of technology and social media affected your careers?
Stacey – Having a background in Marketing and then becoming a Publicist, I take social media very seriously. I set everything up from the beginning and use it as a job and extension of my website only. I think it is important to have both a professional and personal social media and they must be separate. I want media for my clients to come to my pages and see my work and promotion of my clients and will want the same for ‘Rowan Moon Production.’ You will find very little if any personal posts on the professional pages of mine.
Shari - Rowan Moon is a combination of who we are. I’m half Irish/Scottish/English and live for Celtic music and lore. Stacey has a “thing” about the moon. The Rowan Moon name suggest nurturing ones dreams and desires and symbolizes strength and wisdom and a time for new growth. So, Stacey picked that name and I acquiesced.
Stacey - Shari and I really spent some time on our name. I feel it is very important to reflect both of us in the name. I am a Moon Baby, and I knew I wanted Moon in the name. A Rowan tree definition is the ‘Tree of Life’ and its background touched on Shari’s heritage and when we came across the ‘Rowan Moon’ which just happened a month ago, it was magical to say the least. I too love the name and am very happy that we choose this as our beginning.
How did the pandemic affect you and your business?
Shari - Staying at home during the pandemic wasn’t much of a change for Sam (my husband) and me. When we’re not on a set somewhere or shooting property (we have a company focused on shooting real estate for realtors), we’re usually home with our dogs. I write a lot, watch a lot of TV and movies. And, I was still working on “The Morning Show” throughout these past 18 months. That was a bit exhausting because of the extreme Covid protocol that we were put through. Two days before, we’d get tested and then on the day of the shoot we’d be tested again. Masks were issued and stayed on till you heard “Rolling.Speed.Mask off...” and then, we’d do the scene and the second it was done, “CUT. Mask ON.” Sanitizer stations every 25 feet. Areas roped off for eating. Social distancing fully enforced by roaming Carbon Health medical techies. It took some getting used to, but we got through
Stacey - My company (Media and Communications) went down for the year. There was no room with COVID and the elections to get any media coverage for my clients.
How do you determine what actors/ writers/directors you’ll use in the production of the series/movies?
Stacey - We will not as there will be production meetings with our partners and our casting director will decide who we can get for the show out of the list that is developed. It is very exciting to be a part of this from the beginning and work as a team with Texas Crew Production. Shari and I currently have four (4) Projects we are working on. What I like to say is the decks are done, producers are in place, and they have been submitted and talked about with possible partners. It is never a good idea to discuss projects when they are in early stages in talks as leaks can ruin what you have set up. But I will make sure that our social media pages are always current to reflect what we can announce and what we put out there. You must always protect your projects all the way.
Shari -The second season of “The Morning Show” drops (starts to “air”) September 17th. In the meantime, Stacey and I kept polishing the presentation for a few projects that either I had started or ideas she came up with that I’d put my “spin” on. We tossed the ideas around with a couple of friends who are also in the business and connections and introductions were put into place. I think, as tired as my “Zoom” account must feel, a lot has been accomplished over the past year, primarily cause we’re all stuck in one place and don’t spend hours just getting to meetings or lunches. In many ways we’ve been much more productive. Fingers are crossed we’ll continue advancing the stories we’ve yet to tell.
How has your family been affected by your career?
Stacey – My family has never been affected by any of my choices. They have always been right up front and gone along for any ride I take them on. I think secretly they love what I do and how I am always changing things up. It keeps life interesting. And they get to meet cool people in the process. My mother is one of my travel companions and she is really loving all of this. I believe if my grandparents were still alive, they would be cheering me on. Now my niece and nephew get to see what I do and the films I have made, and they like it as well.
What do or did you do to promote yourself? ≠cey - I started designing clothes in 2010 and wrote a book and then went into film making. I released three documentaries in six years and learned how to work the media. People started seeing what I was doing on social media and started coming to me for help in publicity. Because I moved through multiple mediums in 10 years my media list is very extensive, and my friend/clients are in all walks of life from Broadway producer, animal sanctuaries, actresses, films, and artists. When you have clients from all over and you yourself are all over the map you learn to think outside the box. I am still carrying forward all the hard work I put into learning my business
Stacey – I would love to put projects out in the world that mean something and are fun and entertaining. I am a big documentary fan and would love to someday work in that area as well. I have learned to stop setting goals in my life and be present where I am at and let what comes to be open doors and get another journey going. I never know from day to day what is going to present itself to me and I LOVE that.
Stacey Blanchett and Shari Belafonte above.
