Meet Olivia Brown | Contemporary Sci-fi Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’ve learned over the years of writing and filmmaking that most of my interesting ideas come after I’ve had a fun night with friends or a date night with my boyfriend or an amazing trip home to my family. So I am inspired by life. Living and learning and growing. Being unexpectedly happy has unblocked my creative brain so many times. If I feel upset that the story I am writing isn’t connecting like I want it to, I would go out and ask random people to tell me a story. Their lives inspire me to write/create. So what am I inspired by? Life whether it’s my life, the lives of my friends and family, or complete strangers. Just life in general.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up, I’ve always been different. I was the kid who would be watching sci-fi and animal planet or playing outside with bugs or playing with science sets trying to figure out how something worked. While all the other black kids were learning dances on BET or how to put make up on and kissing boys. It took me until adulthood to embrace my different ness.

I am a black science fiction writer in a world full of drama and comedy writers. I write stories about the environmental crisis and incorporate black stories. Growing up it would baffle me how the sci-fi movies usually had few to no people of color in them. I want to change that.

In 2022, I felt stuck that I wasn’t producing enough of my work to show in a portfolio. With one film already shot in 2020, I made the goal to have 5 shorts by the end of the year. I am a very goal orientated person but this goal was so intense. Luckily I had an amazing cast and crew who believed in my directing ability. I was able to accomplish my goal, shooting the last short film, What We Leave Behind, in November. To thank everyone for their hard work I rented out a theater and invited my cast, crew, friends, and family to watch all five films on the big screen. It’s somethin that I am really proud of myself for doing.

A lesson I’ve learned from doing this is determination. I had to work through actors canceling hours before the shoot, locations being loud, and one milk fire. My boyfriend had a saying and at the time it drove me crazy but he was right. “You have to roll with the punches.” Keep finding a way. If you want to make that film bad enough, you’ll do what you need to. If you want to win that festival, keep submitting. If you want to make a movie with that director, keep networking. Keep up the determination and you’ll find a way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am absolutely obsessed with this diner called Nick’s Café in Chinatown. I have gone once a week for almost two years. So we would start there then go across the street to LA historic park for a picnic in the sunshine with a bottle of champagne or rose. Afterwards, we would hit up LACMA to see the art hanging up in the museums and seek out a spoken word club. We would hang out there for a few hours then head home to chill in the jacuzzi. Then after that we would go to diner at Joey DTLA to sit on the open patio. and up to either the Ace hotel or West Hollywood to dance the night away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man! There are so many people I love and want to give recognition too! I think firstly I would give a HUGE thanks to my mentors Todd and Richey Jones. They were the first ones to read my scripts professionally, when I had a million typos on the first 10 pages. They’ve helped my tell my stories better and I’ve learned so, so much from them.

Then I would thank my writers group (V.C., Diego, Stephanie, and Abir). They are such amazing writers who were so patient with me as I was learning to find my writing voice. I appreciate them for reading all my scripts good and bad. These three years with them have been great.

Also, my boyfriend who has helped put out so many fires on set and in my brain. He has been there when I need someone to brainstorm an idea with, to read a 12 page dense outline, and to reread the same 800 times. He has done so much for me in front of the camera and behind it.

Lastly, everyone who has been in my shorts or has crewed on them (Allie, Marshall, Steve, Matt, Clarence). I wouldn’t have been able to create any of the things I have without them.

Website: https://bio.site/oliviabrown

Instagram: Olivegarden22

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-brown-046190156/