Crystals and tarot decks, as the witch I am. But in recent years: DVDs. When I worked at the Disney Store, we used to sell DVDs of whatever films that came out. But seeing the growth of streaming and digital services, having a DVD collection (extended from my own family’s, especially my dad’s) really kept… Read More @creativittea: What, if anything, do you collect?

As corny and cheesy as it sounds: follow your dreams. But to take it a step further, follow your gut, instincts, and intuition. If a position you’re currently in isn’t soul-satisfying or mentally stimulating, go after what really drives you and even scares you. To pass along this quote, “do the thing that scares you… Read More @creativittea: What advice do you have for other women in the industry?

I think anytime I’ve been referred for a project or production because someone has taken notice and really thought of me to be considered for the role. It’s so great receiving recognition for being recalled as ambitious.

As of now, my business. I created CreativiTEA as a platform for myself to showcase my work as well as the work I’ve collaborated with other creatives. Last year during the pandemic and thanks to my therapist, I registered it as an official LLC. I wanted to legitimize what I was doing with film and… Read More @creativittea: What is your biggest concern with the future?

Earlier this year, in a span of 9 days, I was working, auditioning, booking, and rehearsing for a plethora of short films, commercials, scouting locations, and opening and closing a short play. In that week, it was the busiest I was ever since the start of the pandemic after the god-forsaken year of 2020. When I look… Read More @creativittea: What’s a defining moment in your life?

When I was growing up, I used to act alongside the tv shows and films that were playing in my room. Unconsciously, that fueled my love for performing. When I started college, I was a dance major at Valdosta State University, but soon after (and quite frankly prior) I wasn’t satisfied just only dancing. I wanted to… Read More @creativittea: Why did you decide to get into this industry?

You can follow me on twitter, instagram, and facebook at @ShaylaRacquel. My website is http://www.shaylaracquel.com  What’s next? Directing a coming of age feature film that I wrote that’s dear to my heart. It takes place in the South in the year of 2003 🙂

What a great question! I’d like to say that I collect one tangible item from memories made. I also collect greeting cards for all occasions (I never throw cards away) and handwritten notes no matter what they say.  

Network with other women in the industry, create a tribe, lean on each other, be accountable to each other and work your way upward together. That has been helpful for my film community and I.

My film Riverment, a story about a Grandmother and granddaugher’s cross-generational approach to activism, was accepted in over 40 film festivals and won over 20 awards including a Student Emmy (NATAS-NCC). The film also was acquired by Magic Johnson’s AspireTV, Sean “P.Diddy” Comb’s RevoltTV, KweliTV, and FOX new streaming platform Tubi. I was also interviewed… Read More @ShaylaRacquel: What is a successful moment in your career so far?