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

Hi Ashley, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a career in the film and tv industry because I’m a Black woman who has stories to tell and stories that need to be heard. I grew up watching films my whole life and often, I found myself gravitating towards how this was made or what the director is trying to convey to the audience versus just watching solely for entertainment. As I began to look deeper into the scope of how a film is made and what all went into it, I felt further influenced to launch a career within this field. Oftentimes, I used poetry as my way to tell my story but I wanted to expand my reach and ensure that my voices and experiences could be seen and heard. I strongly believe with visual storytelling, you have a platform that can be used to express who you are in this world and what you stand for while expressing untold stories and getting the opportunity to change the narrative. For me, having the opportunity to have a voice is all that I can ask for when it comes to this career path.

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.
I love to curate content that is genre disruptive but also genre blending. I often find myself writing a lot of dramas and horrors with a mix of psychological thriller and poetic vibes to top it off. I explore the Black identity, Black experience, social issues and racial issues. I think staying true to who I am and having the ability to blend genres in a way that is eccentric and feels like poetry in a sense while also is what differentiates my storytelling. It causes you to dig deep into who you are and the journey in discovering yourself. Reaffirming your identity within this world. I’m most excited about the world getting to see my short film that comes out soon. It’s titled Captivity of the Mind.. I’ve wanted to explore this story since I was a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University back in 2021. My sisters and I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and with that, unfortunately came all the microaggressions placed on minorities like us, especially in the workplace. I briefly worked in corporate America and with the several months I was in that field, the prejudices began to show alongside having to diminish who we were as Black people to make space for others to thrive, at least, that’s what society was making it seem like we had to do.
Captivity of the Mind is a film that deliberately talks back to those very people in society that believe being a Black person, a Black woman, in this space, is not welcome. I want to put stories like Captivity of the Mind out there in the world because it’s been far too long that Black women, Black people, have had to suppress who they are in spaces like the workplace, schools, and simply walking down the street to make others feel more comfortable. I think it’s time we see how these negative suppressors affect one’s identity and how learning to just exhibit all aspects of who you are as a person, a Black person, a Black woman in this world can still have success even if society says otherwise. I’m so thankful to the crew that helped make this project come to life. Couldn’t have done it without them!
As for my career thus far, getting here wasn’t easy but I have to Thank God because I would not be here today with him. I was working on a show in Baltimore when my friend Caitlin Whitaker sent me the email for Swagger Season 2. I used the email to send in application’s for 3 different jobs, Covid Compliance Officer, Production Assistant and Director or Producer’s Assistant. Now, I, who had wanted at the time to be a director and producer, went in with all the hope that I could have to hopefully get the assistant position. Later on, I caught covid, then while I was recovering, I got a call from the Production Manager for Swagger Season 2. He asked me which position I was most interested in and of course I told him the assistant roles. I didn’t think I would have a chance since most of the time in this industry, creatives bring their assistants with them, But after a brief silence, he told me he would push my resume forward to Reggie, the Showrunner and E.Monique Floyd, the producer. I was so elated! So i got a call form E. Monique and she asked me some pre interview questions. A little secret, I had never watched Swagger at that time because I didn’t have an Apple TV+. So I binged watched all in one night, woke up at the break of dawn to go drive 4 hours to Richmond,VA to conduct in an in person interview with Reggie and E. Monique. I was asked questions about the show, what I want to accomplish in the industry, and was also asked about my college degrees. Remember, I studied Cinema and minored African American Studies and Media Studies. With all the answers to those questions combined. I was hired and ultimately was credited as Assistant to Reggie Rock Bythewood. Today, I still work with Reggie as his assistant but underneath his company with his wife, GIna Prince-Bythewood called Undisputed Cinema.
I said all this to say, never give up on your hopes or dreams even if the odds are against you. Getting where I am today has been a blessing. All the obstacles I had to go through to get to this point have been nothing but lessons and stepping stones to prepare me for my future. One thing the world should know about me is that I will stop at nothing to get unspoken impactful stories told because no one’s voice should be silenced or ignored. I want to ensure my community is heard and seen through storytelling on screen.

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.
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. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

Coming from someone who recently moved to LA, I could say I’ve become accustomed to the area. Would the people born and raised here consider me part of the family, probably not, still too fresh. In my opinion, when my best friend comes to LA, we go on a food frenzy. We hit Pink Taco on Sunset Blvd, Papi’s Tacos in Santa Monica, Hilltop Cafe and Ca in Inglewood. Some other fun places to go to are the rooftop on EP & LP, the farmer’s market at The Grove, and the Oscars Museum.

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?
All the credit goes to God! Without the Lord none of this would’ve been possible! Shoutout to My friend Myles Green for Shouting me out on this platform and for being an amazing friend! Shoutout to Heather Sams and the Raymond and Ray crew who helped me excel my film/tv career. Shoutout to Reggie Rock Bythewood for giving me support and the keys to navigate this industry and ability to learn from him and his company. Also most importantly, shoutout to my Mom and Dad and my sisters for believing in me and rooting me on throughout this whole process.

Instagram: ashdani19

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-dean-504904243?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: @DeanJr15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.dean.37853?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: https://www.instagram.com/captivityofthemindshort?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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