We had the good fortune of connecting with v.c. rhone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi v.c., why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
That is a great question! I would have to take it back to when I was a little girl. When I was in the second grade my school had a Black History Month assembly and there was a singer who gave one of the most soul-stirring performances I had ever heard in my young life.

I remember closing my eyes and feeling this surge of energy wash over me. It was like the heavens departed and I couldn’t stop crying. That was the day I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life – use the arts to impact people and affect change in the world.

I can honestly say that there is immeasurable truth to one of Mark Twain’s famous quotes. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” I discovered my “why” that day and my life has never been the same.

As I’ve expanded and grown throughout my career, I’ve also learned that observation is a powerful tool. I watch people. I listen to their conversations. I read. A lot. I read about things going on in my local community, the county, the state, the country, the world. I’m often looking for recurring themes and commonalities. Sometimes these discoveries lead to serious topics that can often make people feel unsafe or uncomfortable discussing.

Performance art is a great way to address many of these issues.

When I was appointed by the former Mayor of Huntington Beach to the Human Relations Committee, I dedicated myself to using the arts as a bridge to promote human dignity and understanding. One of my greatest joys as a social impact leader has been creating the Huntington Beach Cultural Cinema Showcase. We embrace and promote films from underrepresented groups addressing important topics that often have a global impact. As a writer, producer, director and creative executive, I’m so blessed to contribute to the social impact entertainment space, which has massive benefits far and wide.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Something that sets me apart from others is my diverse and seasoned background. My life experiences and “lived list” rival a cat with nine lives! A tour bus was my “home” while traveling with a Grammy Award-winning group as a professional singer. I’m a classically trained pianist, violinist and viola player. I can also toot a mean clarinet! I’m a former Disney Cast Member who once received a special award for providing exemplary guest service. True story.

I grew up in Southern California, but I lived in New York, as well – having the best of both worlds. I’ve been honored to “ride-along” with police officers in my community to gain new perspective. I’ve also traveled to the Middle East as a missionary to help Syrian refugees.

But sadly, I have felt the sting of hardships and hard times, too. I have survived (and thrived from) many things too horrible to list. But in the end, it is the good, the bad, and all of the ugly that guides and informs my creative process.

Something that I’m most proud of is never letting any of the challenges I’ve faced make me bitter. I’m better! Better aware. Better prepared. Better focused. I never give up and I bring a “can do” attitudeand winning spirit to every project, every production, and every endeavor.

Having completed my undergraduate studies at New York University’s Tish School of the Arts, I was mentored by college professor and Academy Award Winner, Carol Dysinger.

More recently, I became an NBC Universal TV Writers Program Semifinalist, and one of my family feature screenplays, Becky Brenneman’s Bangin’ Bat Mitzvah, co-written with my friend and TV sitcom writer, Mindy Schneider, is listed in the top 10% of all screenplays on Coverfly! Through the Women of Color Unite’s Start with 8 Program, I am also being mentored by Karissa Valencia, Producer and Showrunner for Spirit Rangers – an animated Netflix series which follows Native American siblings.

I  soak up every lesson like a sponge and apply them to my professional development. In this industry, “overnight success” is often code for “this person encountered detours, setbacks, failures, and misfires but never gave up!”

All of these experiences have defined me, built character and led me to the career path I’m on today. From literary manuscripts, children’s books, feature length screenplays, written, produced, and directed stage plays, and shorts, my creative brand is about embracing social scenes in a unique way that’s provocative, fun and undeniably empowering… all at once!

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?
Oh boy, you’ve got me on this one! Haha! I’m a home body who loves to cook, watch movies while simultaneously reading the corresponding screenplays, and wrapping myself up in my favorite “writing sweater” as I hack away at my keyboard to crank out new pages.

But if I did slip away from home and slide into an adventure in Huntington Beach with a friend for a day, I would never miss an opportunity to take the scenic route and coast down Pacific Coast Highway. We’d stretch our legs and get some exercise in by renting a surrey bike from Zack’s Too and riding along the bike path.

Of course we would definitely stop in at the Huntington Beach Art Center to enjoy their latest art installation. Next we’d head over to the Harbor for a kayak ride and when we were all “rowed” out, head over to Bella Terra to take in a movie. After enjoying dinner outdoors at the Pacific Hideaway, we’d head over to the beach and roast smores over an open fire pit!

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?

I know this may seem a bit typical and I’m sure many others have said this, but I absolutely must dedicate this shoutout to my parents.

Although they divorced when I was younger, both my mom and dad grew up in the deep south and faced many challenges. My mom has always supported me and everything I did. She’s celebrated successes with me and was there to lift me up during some of my failures.

During my formative years and into my early teenage phase, I was also blessed to have a father figure in my life. Donnie introduced me to traveling and adventure. He took me to the bank to open my first bank account and sparked my interest in finance. I love him tremendously and am so grateful to have him in my life.

And of course, my father nurtured my whimsical sense of storytelling. He is an incredible illustrator and author. On his side of the family many of the Rhones are ministers, teachers, or writers. I’ve been all three. It’s literally in my DNA!

Website: linktre.ee/vcrhone

Instagram: @vcrhone

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcrhone

Twitter: @vcrhone

Facebook: www.facebook.com/therealvcrhone

Other: 1) www.piecesofeleanor.com – Help greenlight our Film Independent production and make a tax-deductible contribution to raise awareness about medical disparities for women of color. 2) www.pagegladiators.com – Join the Page Gladiators Writers’ Initiative offering writing groups, workshops, and contests 3) imdb.com/vcrhone – track all of my other projects in development on IMDb

Image Credits
v.c. rhone, Bishop Rhone

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