1. Why did you decide to get into this industry?

I don’t remember a time when I hadn’t decided to work in this industry. I trained my entire life as an actress so before I figured out that producing was my calling, I was still going to be in the film industry. Even as a young girl, when I wanted to be a “marine biologist” and a “forensic psychologist” and a “lawyer”…my plan was to write myself a TV show where I could play the lead character who was a forensic psychologist with a law degree who dabbled in marine biology on the side….I was always going to be in the film industry. Perhaps I should still create that show. Who would watch it? We will call it “Abigail Ocean, PhD, Esq.” Perhaps it’s an over-the-top half hour comedy…

 

2) What’s a defining moment in your life?

You may have been looking for a defining moment related to my career, but instead I’ll give you one of the most defining moments in my life: meeting my dog. Yes, I’m serious. On January 25, 2010, my friend Cristina forwarded me a list of shelter dogs that had been put on a 10 day hold from death. I “wanted” a dog, but was in no position to get one at the time; I had just started a new job earlier that month and wasn’t financially prepared to take on a new pet. However, as it turns out, I was desperately in need of meeting Bowie that week. He is my best friend and has taught me so much about myself, my will to live and be a better person, and brought me out on more hikes than I can count. He makes sure that after the long days of shooting, I still muster the energy to take him out on a walk. That in-between jobs I remember life is about more than work. He’s been in several of my productions, has followed me from office to office, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll wake up early to take him on a pre-production 4A walk any day!

 

3) What is your biggest concern with the future?

The continued struggle for humanity to realize that human rights apply to EVERY HUMAN…and that we should extend the idea further to the animals and environment. Humanity. Humanity is my biggest concern with the future. 

We can only work bit by bit to combat the negativity in the world though. That’s one of the reasons I love filmmaking and storytelling. We have the opportunity to both open eyes to the realities of the world and create new worlds that help us to escape reality. 

 

4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?

Receiving the countersigned contract for our first production for apparentlyjack LLC. Even if there had never been another (thankfully there have been), I felt like I had accomplished something that I had always dreamed but at the same time was so scared to pursue. It was a really exciting moment. 

 

5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

Lift up others around you. Champion the other women who are trying to make it in this industry, not just yourself. There are enough jobs to go around, help one another out…and don’t stop with other women. Champion people of color, LGBTQA+, differently-abled, those starting over in their careers who might be older than who you would expect to be just starting out…the best content comes from true collaboration, at an intersection that looks like the world around us. 

 

6) What, if anything, do you collect?

What, if anything, do you collect? I used to collect Funko characters, but recently gave them away to a friend’s son who is also a collector. I did keep my Monty Python French Taunter though. 

Not on purpose, but I have a rather large collection of lanyards from every event and red carpet I’ve ever attended. 

I suppose what I really collect is art. I live for a good gallery wall, so my house is filled with framed art I’ve collected over the years from galleries, etsy, flea markets, vintage magazines, photos I’ve taken…I even bought one off a lady taking an art class at a co-working space once. A fantastic watercolor of Mark Zuckerberg testifying in front of congress. It has definitely served its purpose as a conversation starter.

 

7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?

Our company instagram is @apparentlyjack, and my personal instagram is @jquelinedalunde. 

Right now our company is focusing on the development of one feature film, three television/streaming series and a short film. Up first is a web series called “Mixed Nuts” written by a very talented actress and screenwriter named Annie May Gay, followed by a short film that I penned myself! Both are filming in August/Early September and I can’t wait to get it into production!