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

Hi Terrance, how do you think about risk?
More often than not, as an independent director, I am operating as my own secretary, producer, marketing team, graphics designer, copy editor, assembly line, etc. Some days it feels like my job is more clerical than creative: spreadsheets, power points, grant applications, summaries and tons of reading… My relationship to risk is born from the day-to-day monotony that has been my experience as an independent director. It’s a blessing to be able to do what I do (have a vision, get supported to execute it, and repeat;) but it can also be extremely vulnerable, humiliating and thankless. I’ve had to develop thick skin, a strong sense of self; and an even stronger sense of why I wake up every morning to pursue a job where success has little to do with the amount of effort you put into it. For me, beyond wanting to make effective and impactful work for audiences, it’s actively searching for ways to make this job easier for others (friends in creative fields, aspiring filmmakers and film colleagues.) Those are the risks I take. Recognizing that it costs nothing to be kind and to give someone a little of your time and talent to make a difference (however small) in their project or career. Everything in this business takes a massive leap of faith. There are no guarantees. So it’s important that we encourage one another along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a poet and filmmaker from Long Island, NY. I didn’t grow up wanting to be a filmmaker. I wanted to teach English and be a poet. When it came time to apply to college, the only school that accepted me was Morehouse College and Morehouse didn’t have a creative writing major at the time. A faculty member pointed me toward the screenwriting program where I learned about TV & Film Writing. From there, I began studying visual storytelling by reading any script I could get my hands on: “Orange is the New Black”, “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Moonlight”… I didn’t make my first short film until 2016. My boyfriend saw how hard I was working as a writer to help other people write their ideas and get them made. He pushed me to give myself and my ideas that same amount of effort, and I did! My senior thesis at Morehouse, “The Colored Hospital”, was later shortlisted for The Student Academy Awards. In 2017, I found out I was accepted into NYU Tisch School of The Arts and in 2018 I shot a short film, “-Ship: A Visual Poem”, which would go on to win the 2020 U.S. Narrative Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival; and consequently begin my film career. This accomplishment would get me representation and my first job outside of grad school: assisting director Kyle Patrick Alvarez on the Disney+ film, “CRATER”. I worked that job from 2021-2022 before staffing on my first TV series, an upcoming YA-Romance series for Netflix called “FOREVER”, helmed by Mara Brock Akil. I share this journey in detail because it’s different for everyone. While I am incredibly fortunate, I don’t consider myself having “made” it anywhere. I think my biggest take away is to never get comfortable. After the TV strike that hit Hollywood hard in 2023, I found myself unemployed, struggling to find creative work, fighting to get independent financing for my projects and writing constantly. This is the reality behind the dream. It ebbs and flows. Some days you’re booked, busy and in the race. Other days you’re in the hull of the ship, working quietly, feeling overlooked. The important thing is to ride that wave. When you’re fortunate enough to get paid to help someone else make their project, put money aside for your next one. When you’re stuck creatively and feel unsupported, go help someone else for the love of it and them. When you’re forgetting the value of your own work, watch your old films, read your old scripts; invite friends over to do it with you: celebrate yourself. Because, for this writer at least, lasting in this business is not about crafting hit after hit. It’s taking hit after hit and finding new ways and new reasons to stay in the ring.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Flatbush, Brooklyn. If I had friends over, I’m taking them to see theater in NYC. We’re hitting at least one play and one musical (Off-Broadway, on Broadway, doesn’t matter.) Then we’re eating, a lot! My personal go-to is Cathédrale Restaurant in the East Village with Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine and Glass Tavern in the city as close seconds. I don’t always get Uptown, but there’s a spot called Maison Pickle, which I love. And of course, Amy Ruth’s on 116th. If we’re not eating fancy, then we’re eating Chick Fil A, dollar pizza, thai or simply cooking at the house. During the weekend we may also go walking around the neighborhood; stop by The Strand Bookstore; see a movie (NiteHawk Cinema and Angelika East are my personal favorites;) go window shopping in Soho or quite honestly sit on the couch at home and talk or watch TV and movies all weekend long!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to Shoutout my friend, my brother, the reason this series even came to my attention: filmmaker, Jonathan-Aubrie Lewis. We had the pleasure of meeting virtually back in 2020 after a friend shared Jonathan’s short film with me. We immediately clicked over one another’s work and our shared background as queer black preacher’s kids. We’ve become pillars of support for one another ever since. When I got my first TV job, I slept on Jonathan’s couch. When Jonathan calls me for anything (even if it’s just for prayer throughout the day), I’m there. Trying to stay creative and “commercially appealing” can sometimes (but not always) strip you of aspects of who YOU are. I’m grateful to have many friends who act as mirrors and even maps for me when I get lost. Today I want to Shoutout Jonathan for being both a map and a mirror. Go support his upcoming short film campaign for WE ARE THE BEAT (a film addressing Black Male Mental Health) if you can!

Website: https://linktr.ee/prittynotpretty

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

Twitter: https://x.com/prittynotpretty?lang=en&mx=2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzTLrL73r30&t=2s

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