Meet Lauren Chavez-Myers | Producer & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Chavez-Myers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
In a world where billions of hours of content is at our fingertips, and where we also witness extreme forms of systemic inequities in our own backyards, it’s important to me that the media content I create serve a higher purpose: Make the world a better place.

As cliche as that sounds, having that mission as my north star directly impacts every decision I make as a producer: Who is telling the story? Who is the story for? Who will see themselves represented in this story? What communities will be impacted by this story?

My production company initially stemmed from frustrations over the lack of opportunities for female storytellers. As an actor, I grew tired of the stereotypical roles I was auditioning for, and as a director/writer/producer, I was angry that authentic stories depicting women were dismally lacking in the media zeitgeist.

But as many of us have witnessed in the wake of #MeToo, the intersectionality of female storytellers, inclusivity, and media representation extends far beyond women, and has opened up a complicated but necessary dialogue around gender, race, and disabilities — and allowing marginalized groups to take control of their own narrative.

So Room of Req Productions aims to provide opportunities for marginalized storytellers, to tell stories that spark change, and yes — provide entertaining content too. My latest project “Enough Room” is a comedy tackling issues of systemic racism by providing a space to model a new form of tolerance. It was also told through the lens of women of color. My hope is that if a 10-minute film can prompt an audience — no matter the size — to reflect and question their own values and impact on the world, then I’ve done my job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I named my company Room of Req Productions in the spirit of rebellion gleaned from growing up a Harry Potter fan. The “Room of Requirement” was a safe, inclusive, and educational space that allowed individuals to form alliances and plot a revolution — particularly when times were dire. It gave room for mistakes, growth, and fostered community. I hold that same mission for my production company, and what makes RoR unique is its Hispanic, activist roots and the sense that the content we create has a larger purpose — to spark change in our communities through entertaining content.

I started out as an actor at a pretty young age. I was on my first professional film set at the age of 8, and got hooked into the theatre world not long after. I spent several of my post-college years in my home state of New Mexico reaping the benefits of working as a local actor through ripe film incentives. I’ve worked alongside Gary Oldman, played Michael Peña’s wife, and was lucky enough to see my role as a prostitute grow over two seasons on WGN’s “Manhattan.”

But I quickly learned that getting “chosen” by someone else would not necessarily lead to longterm satisfaction. I wanted to control my narrative.

My initial awakening as a producer actually started in college, when my friend and I were frustrated with a lack of opportunities for women in mainstage shows.

Up until the last few years, most colleges produced plays that outright ignored their student demographics — they were very male and very white, and female and POC students were left to fight over a small number of roles while the men could thrive in multiple productions, giving them a solid advantage when entering the industry. It also did not bode well for camaraderie.

So actor/producer Danielle Beckmann and I started a student-run production company called “From The Ground Up,” wherein students wrote, directed, and acted in their own 10 minute plays. We helped curate the shows, find space (often times performing in the science lecture hall), and market the production. It’s here that I’d like to think actors discovered other outlets for creative expression, but the coolest part? It still exists at Chapman University…15 years later.

My biggest takeaway from this experience was that if I wanted to see change in the world, then it was up to me to create it. I produced my first feature film in 2012, directed my first short in 2014, and produced, directed, and edited an array of trailers for a non-profit theatre company, Duke City Repertory Theatre. I’ve mostly focused on short form content since then, including co-producing a series with actor/writer Amy Baklini called “Frankie and Jude,” a Star Wars fan series that’s screened at almost 50 festivals worldwide.

Most recently, I’m excited for my latest project, “Enough Room.” It was inspired by a true story from activist, speaker, and survivor advocate Bobbie Becerra, and was directed by Christianna Carmine. The film tackles issues of passive racism, modeling a new form of tolerance, and holding your integrity in the face of adversity — all on a first date. We raised $16,000 on Seed & Spark and shot the film just before the pandemic. While it’s currently in the festival circuit, we’re proud and honored that it’s already generating interest for DEI initiatives in various types of work environments.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of the best spots in LA are the wild ones. I’d take my companions out to Leo Carrillo state beach in Malibu. Then, we’d head just a bit up north to Sycamore Canyon state park and camp out for a few days. The mountain is peaceful, and you get the benefit of having the ocean just across the highway!

If they wanted to hike more in LA, I love the subversive weirdness of Rustic Canyon’s Murphy Ranch, a former camp built by Nazi sympathizers in the late 1930s, was closed in 1941, and now displays neon graffiti painted over the remaining buildings.

We’re based in the valley, so for food, we’d check out Burbank Pub for delicious (and ingenious) bites with fantastic cocktails and beer, Joe Peeps in Valley Village for NY-style pizza, and Malama Pono for authentic Hawaiian flair. If we decided to venture downtown, a stop at Grand Central Market never fails to disappoint. Sarita’s Pupuseria is by far my favorite vendor.

For a day that we’re feeling extra energetic, we would definitely take a tour through LA’s hidden staircases, from Baldwin Hills to Saroyan Stairs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband Rick Galli has been one of my biggest champions and supporters throughout the decade that we’ve been together. As a fellow filmmaker himself, he’s always understood the turbulent lifestyle that comes with the entertainment industry, and never wavered in serving as a solid foundation when I was wading through the darker periods of my career. While I’ve had enormous growth as an artist and creator, it’s always come with moments of questioning, doubt, and pivots. He’s been nothing but supportive and patient, while also providing his own creative input and mentorship. Our partnership as a couple is what allows us to thrive and grow as a creative team, and of course, as loving friends.

Website: http://www.roomofreqproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locowithlolo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/locowithlolo

Other: https://vimeo.com/roomofreqprod

Image Credits
Richard Galli Malik Daniels