Meet Tennessee Martin

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

Hi Tennessee, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
The definition of risk is “the potential for harm and financial loss” and whether or not I’m a filmmaker in Los Angeles or a 9-to-5 banker in my hometown in Tennessee, there is no way to avoid risk. When you perceive risk for what it is – an evolving amalgamation of things you can and cannot control – it frees you from the fear around it. Risk is just something inevitable that I weigh heavily against possible reward.

When I came out as gay at fifteen years old in the bible belt, I knew the consequences; ostracization from my church, rejection from parts of my family, and three more years of bullying in high school. I did it anyway, because I knew coming out just might save my life.

When I decided to attend Stephens College, a women’s college in Missouri, eight hours away from home, I knew it would be a massive challenge. I was the first in my family to go to a four year university. I was a scholarship student whose financial aid depended on maintaining good grades and my participation in athletics. I had to come out again (and realized I’d have to keep coming out over and over again throughout my life), but the reward was an education in film that would open doors I’d never dreamt of.

When I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment, everyone told me that this city would eat me alive. I had no savings to fall back on and no family nearby to comfort me. I was told being a filmmaker was a fruitless pursuit, I’d be broke forever and that people fail out of this industry every single day. I knew they were probably right – but then I thought about the alternative of never expressing myself through storytelling. I weighed the risk and the reward and the real question revealed itself: if risk is harm and financial loss and time is the only real currency that matters – how do I want to spend my life?

I wanted to make a living telling stories, so I doubled down and hedged my bets. I’ve built a resume working at studios, networks, streaming and production companies. I’ve been support staff on tv shows and assisted Line Producers and A-List directors. I’ve sharpened my skills in both development and production and sought mentorships from some of the biggest names in the business.

By day, I’m a TV development executive at a major indie studio, and I believe my skills as a writer and producer lend themselves well to my work in development – I’ll never give a note I wouldn’t take myself, I respect the craft, and know how to communicate with creatives, producers, and buyers. In return, I’ve injected that expertise into developing my own projects.

Working in this industry is risky, no doubt, but I’ve a long-term approach, based in empathy, education and experience, that helps mitigate that risk.

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.
From an early age I constantly felt I was being pulled between two worlds – my parents divorced when I was very young and lived in different states, I grew up in the bible belt and had to hide my sexuality and romantic relationships, we were also low-income in a community where the middle-class reigned. I never quite felt I fit in anywhere, and that feeling only grew as I got older.

When I moved to Los Angeles, my mission became clear. I wanted to use my skills as a filmmaker and development executive to bridge those worlds – to pull two halves back together again – by telling complicated stories about emotionally and morally conflicted characters in unassuming environments. Ordinary people overcoming extraordinary obstacles. Hollywood has often tried to separate rural stories from queer and BIPOC characters, white-washing and straight-washing the south and midwest – but there’s a big audience who would love to see themselves on screen in stories that don’t require them to flee their hometowns to find themselves.

My latest short film which I wrote and produced is a lot different from my other work. Lesbophilia, is a left-of-center, dark absurdist comedy that tackles the trauma of dating with insecurities, and the search for one’s self in a world that often tries to define you. The two halves it pulls together is essentially the reconciliation of self, layered and complex, and learning to love even the darkest parts. We won the Stage 32 Short Film Contest and are premiering at the HollyShorts Film Festival on 8/8 and 8/10 @ 5pm PT.

My goal is to start conversations, rather than lead people to conclusions. I believe meaningful conversation opens the door for empathy and understanding – and that’s the most important thing we can achieve as storytellers.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For good eats – Boneyard Bistro is arguably one of the best BBQ joints in Los Angeles, and when I’m missing home and want to enjoy some comfort food – it’s a tie between Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken and Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles. I also love Guisados Tacos – all of the locations are great, but the one in West Hollywood holds a special place in my heart. For a sapphic girls night out, I recommend catching a comedy show – probably Bri Giger, Ali Kolbert or Rachel Scanlon, then ending the night at The Ruby Fruit or Honey’s At Star Love – both have non-alcoholic drink options which I appreciate as someone who is seven years (California) sober. My favorite coffee and brunch spot is at Basecamp Dinette in Burbank, unless Lauren Banall is hosting her Bottomless Drag Brunch at the Idle Hour. For outdoor activities, I love taking my rescue pup hiking up to Escondido Falls or enjoying a nice beach bonfire at Dockweiler. And my favorite place in Los Angeles to think and clear my head is on the backside of Dodgers Stadium at the top of White Knoll Dr. I literally sit on the sidewalk and watch the city live and breathe in front of me. It’s one of the best views of Downtown that you don’t have to pay for.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of my success to others, but especially to my partner, Maya Nalli. She’s a talented actor and producer, an incredible partner, and devoted dog mom. She is so supportive and has become my favorite person to collaborate with creatively. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.

Also, my cast and crew on my latest short film, Lesbophilia. Director – Michelle West, Editor – Wilbur DiTulio, and Cinematographer – Sarah Phillips (who was featured in ShoutOut LA in 2021) are all trusted confidants of mine and know what it means to grind, working freelance or holding down multiple jobs to make your dreams come true and bring your stories to life. The secret to success in this business is the company you keep – and we keep each other close.

Website: www.lesbophiliafilm.com

Instagram: @TennesseeMartin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tennessee-martin-a4385858/

Twitter: N/A

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Other: Tickets to Lesbophilia: HollyShorts: 8/8 @ 5pm PT – https://hollyshorts2024.eventive.org/schedule/669026e513c78100a641f1aa Tickets to Lesbophilia: HollyShorts: 8/10 @ 5pm PT – https://hollyshorts2024.eventive.org/schedule/669058a2e4db9800b75f671f