Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Blake.
Hi Sierra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Sierra Blake. I started my company Bicus! Productions in 2016 while I worked at Ace Hardware attending Savannah College of Art and Design taking courses to help me become a better screenwriter.
At that time, I wanted to tell stories that involved the day-to-day struggles of Black people. During this time, police brutality was high around the country. So, I called my friend Kareem McMichael to star in a film I wrote entitled A Luta Continua.
This film depicts how a Black man faces the world despite the cruelty Black men face in America. A Luta Continua was accepted into the Savannah State University Film Festival and gained traction online from many people in my community.
In Spring 2016, I joined the GA Film Academy; I met a team of talented filmmakers under the instruction of John Grace. With the GA Film Academy, I co-wrote a film entitled Happy Family and that was accepted into the Single-Take Film Challenge and nominated for Most Entertaining Film and Extraordinary Cinematography.
During the Summer of 2017, I worked as a Production Assistant on the set of a UK television show entitled Living The Dream starring Kim Fields, Leslis Jordan, and many others. I learned more and more about how to better operate on-set, how to manage production, and be as effective and efficient as possible. So, in the fall, when I began working on Tabitha’s House, a film focused on a woman in the Savannah community who discovered her purpose of running a non-profit to help single women with children who are homeless.
I was better able to direct and co-produce my project. I put all of my resources into this project and it brought me so much joy to help someone trying to help other people. While filming this project, I knew I was on purpose with my vision for Bicus! Productions and I were privileged to work with an amazing team of people, especially my co-producer Kareem McMichael. Everyone helped to elevate the on-set experience of this production.
Tabitha’s House was accepted into Savannah State University’s Film Festival, winning Best Documentary; Accepted into The Georgia Documentary Film Festival and nominated for Best Georgia Documentary. In January 2018, I moved to South Atlanta, I filmed videos and vlogged for local artists and companies. I began to garner more work in photography after working with Donna Permell as a Photographer’s Assistant at local events such as the Luda Day Festival and various shoots at her studio.
I continued to direct and produce for companies such as Goddess Body Boutique and Carswell Realty. Atlanta is a melting pot filled with culture and pride. I went on to complete another film entitled A Sunday Kind of Love, which walked the audience through the life of Black women in the LGBTQ community. This film was accepted into the Out on Film online Festival and nominated for Best Film.
As a filmmaker, it is my job to tell the ugly truth and highlight beautiful moments in that truth, which propel people to be better versions of themselves, voluntarily or involuntarily. Currently, I am working on my next film project and filming commercials for companies in the Atlanta community. Bicus! Productions will continue to grow in the Southeast Region and around the world.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This road has not been smooth, whatsoever. There were many times when I felt like it was impossible to get my films made, but I kept going because I am determined for my vision to get out and into the world. I didn’t make a lot of money at Ace Hardware or as a substitute teacher to film my projects and feed my crew.
So, I saved up my income taxes to get my film done and feed the people who volunteered their time. I had to use credit cards to get my films into festivals for a wider audience to see my films. I appreciate the journey because it continues to teach me patience and makes me a better filmmaker.
Telling stories that touch people is my dream and I am willing to continue to do what it takes to bring my visions to life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bicus! Productions is a film, videography, and photography company. I am a filmmaker; I write. My company is known for telling raw and bold truths about the Black community through film and photography. So, when my clients enlist my services they get a full experience beyond what they expected.
Whether I am filming a film or commercial or doing photography, my clients end up with a story to remember and tell their friends and family about through still and moving images. What makes us most proud as a company is an ability we have to touch people and provide them with an experience they never thought they would have in their wildest dreams.
I take the everyday person’s story to inspire the community and create memories that will last a lifetime. This is what sets Bicus! Productions apart from others.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Staying true to myself is the most important quality for me to maintain to be successful. It may seem easy, but it takes bravery and strength to maintain being yourself in this industry.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bicusproductions
