Meet Alisa Diane Anderson: Writer and Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alisa Diane Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alisa Diane, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because I absolutely LOVE to write and tell stories! Being a writer/filmmaker means that I get to create worlds that are both similar to my experiences and drastically different. I get to explore people and situations that I may never get the chance to, otherwise. I can produce solutions to problems through characters that have the strength to fight things head on, and others who have the vulnerability to show consequences and weakness. Growing up, I always had an inquiring and expansive imagination. I didn’t know at the time, that I could really pursue writing or filmmaking as a career choice, and I even tried my hand at other careers. However, in exploring other career choices, I realized that my creativity and natural talents and gifts were stifled. I would always excel in whatever I did, but it came at a very miserable price. Those careers did nothing for that part of me that longed to write compelling stories, make movies and or theatrical presentations. It did nothing for that burning desire that I had to just simply CREATE! I’d find myself spending 8-12 hours working to provide for someone else’s dreams and burning passions, leaving very little time for me to explore my own, and I really couldn’t do that any more. I couldn’t allow my dreams and aspirations to suffer or become non existent in order to help someone else’s. So, I decided to pursue my own!

Please tell us more about your work. 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?
I am an author of the riveting novel “The Lies We Tell” which is available on amazon and via my website. “In this riveting novel, three best friends Allure, Blair and Countess, also known as the “ABC Trio”, move vicariously through life, trying to achieve all that life has to offer them, however when lies, deception and manipulation begin to surround them, their friendships collide into it’s first breaking point. The pressure mounts and culminates into an unlikely and untimely catastrophic event that no one expects.” I have an award winning web series that is featured on YouTube entitled “Saved In The City Web Series”. “Saved In The City, is a series about four friends trying to navigate their lives, while holding on to their Godly morals and standards. Harolynn, a super smart well-kept Accountant aspiring to secure a high paying position in corporate America, her sister La’Nay, a down to earth, free spirited pre-school teacher struggling with her sexuality, Cameron, a reformed ghetto girl from the West End turned cosmetologist, and mom of one, and Bria a super “Holy” church girl struggling to balance her everyday life with every word of the bible, are accustomed to relying on each other to get through the ever pressing obstacles they tend to encounter. Yet when life begins to happen to them simultaneously, not only are their relationships challenged, but their belief in God comes into question, as decisions are made that go against what they’ve been taught to believe and have grown to understand.” I have a short film entitled “My First Love” that was an official selection in the Lift Off Film Festival and is featured on Amazon and YouTube. “Married for 37 years, Vanessa finds out that her husband is having an affair. Distraught and desperate for answers, Vanessa devises a plan that reveals truth’s she never expected.” I am also the owner of ASILA Production Company which houses not only my film and literary works, but we also offer services that assist other creatives in advancing their careers. All of the above can be found on all social media as well as my website www.alisadiane.com and the noted places above. What sets you apart from others? I think that my unique ability to tell compelling and relatable stories is one of the things that sets me apart. We all know that there is nothing new under the sun, but I try to really go above and beyond in terms of creating storylines that are interwoven in ways that aren’t easily predictable, or that pulls heavily on the human emotions. I like to portray a lot of vulnerability, and though entertainment is obviously a huge component, I always try to hide messages and life lessons in everything that I create. What are you most proud of or excited about? Becoming an established author, playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker and owner of my very own production company is what I am most proud of when it comes to my career. Knowing that it’s something that I was able to accomplish with my own grassroots efforts, makes me feel like I can accomplish ANYTHING. It makes me extremely excited and is definitely what fuels me to get up and challenge myself to do what’s seemingly hard or what others may call the un-accomplishable. For me, there is no greater joy than knowing that you are driving your own path to fulfilling your purpose, and knowing that I am doing this for myself everyday makes me overwhelmingly proud. How did You get to where you are today professionally? Was it Easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? I got to where I am today through sheer grit and determination. I knew what I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker, an author, a writer and an established creative.I knew that embarking on this journey that there was a place for it and that people were receptive to it. But I also knew that it wasn’t going to be handed to me. I was going to have to GO CARVE out a space for what I believed in my heart I was put here on this earth to do. And that’s what I’ve done. Has it been easy? No! Far from it. Ive faced many challenges and obstacles. I mean let’s face it, there are millions of writers, directors, filmmakers and creatives, all longing for their shot to be the NEXT…Tyler Perry, Oprah, Barbra Streisand, Mel Gibson etc. But if you know any of their stories you know it didn’t come by just “being.” Though my story isn’t quite like those I mentioned, I definitely went through my fair share of hardship, struggle and sacrifice. I’ve dealt with rejection, feelings of “am I good enough” or “is this story good enough.” I’m self taught, so then there’s “am I qualified to do what I’m doing,” or “will I be taken serious as an artist.” The intimidation when I’m invited to events where I’m the only one in the room who hasn’t had the educational structure, feeling like “Oh my gosh, will I know all the terminology,” or “will I stick out like a sore thumb?” I’ve had to forego family functions, friends outings, trips and pleasantries that most my age are enjoying because most of my time is spent teaching myself and learning the industry, writing and strategically planning ways to capitalize opportunities and making sure that my business foundation is solid. It can be a lot, but when I’m staring at a sold out audience for something that I’ve written and produced, or when I see money flowing residually from a book that I wrote and entertainment mediums that are solely my own it makes it worth it. In terms of overcoming a lot of these challenges and sacrificial pains, I rely heavily on my 3 F’s – Faith, Family and Friends. Often times I have to keep reminding myself that what I’m doing is going to pay off. I have to remind myself of how it feels when I complete a script, win an award or have a sold out event. I rely on the encouragement and understanding of my family and friends. Knowing that I have their support, and that they know I’m not just “blowing them” off goes a long way for my emotional stability, as there are times when I just can’t engage like I want to, and that is one of my greatest sacrificial challenges. Though I can’t say that this always works as sometimes it does get down right HARD, but for me in the GRAND SCHEME of things I really wouldn’t have it any other way. Lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ve learned that if you want something, and that’s anything, If you want it, YOU have to go get it. No one is going to just hand you anything, but on the flip side, when people see you working towards what you want, making it happen for yourself, you are likely to attract all the help and support you feel you need. I also learned that the very people that you think are going to support you and help you aren’t necessarily the ones that will. You can’t get disappointed in people for NOT being able to see your DREAM. For not UNDERSTANDING your dream – It’s yours, and yours alone. As long as you are are doing what you know to do to make your dream a reality it will happen. What do you want the world to know about you? That I’m no different than you. I had a dream. I saw it, I worked for it, I manifested it. Failure is not a stop sign, it’s only there for you to realign and keep going! Change your perception and know that your only competition is YOU!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many places that I like to frequent when I have family and or friends visiting the city. Depending on the time of year that I have guests and who’s coming would determine where we we’d go. However the listed are a few places that are must visits. Eating/Drinking The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar and View Flip Burger BBQ Boutique Spondivits OLG (Old Lady Gang) Petals and Puff Hangout Trap Museum Atlantic Station Aquarium The King Center U-Bar Lennox Mall

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family! Hands down their love and support gives me the strength needed to pursue my dreams! Their faith and belief in me is indescribable and to them, I’ll forever be grateful.

Website: www.alisadiane.com
Instagram: instagram.com/alisadianeanderson
Twitter: twitter.com/msasila
Facebook: Facebook.com/alisadianeanderson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/asila2u
Other: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3071953/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

Image Credits
TERRENCE CARTER