Meet Carlie Raymond | Writer, Film & TV Director

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

Hi Carlie, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
I used to dream of building something that would last from generation to generation. Now, I realize that the true legacy I want to leave behind is the knowledge and wisdom that can guide others, showing them paths they might take or avoid. It’s all about setting the stage for future talents to find their own way, using what I’ve contributed as a stepping stone.I hope to have laid a foundation where the next generation can build on or even challenge what I’ve created, whether it’s an idea, an organization, or a virtual creative space.

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’m challenging myself to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and leave the viewer with something meaningful to think about. I love to create character-driven narratives that explore complex relationships and inner conflicts. Humanity has such rich inner worlds that many struggle to tap into, and it always fascinates me when I’m able to unlock new depths. I hope to be that flashlight for someone else, helping them experience an epiphany moment. I like to complement those narrations with color palettes and symbolism that evoke those emotions and story themes. What makes storytelling so special is how other departments come together to provide something unique and personal from their own backgrounds, drawing from their upbringing and experiences.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. One of the biggest challenges was deciding to travel miles away to Atlanta with a growing family while our village was back in Boston. Being a stay-at-home mother of five, all under 8, meant not being able to afford courses and having to be self-taught. It also meant deciding to be financially unstable for a few more years, accepting low or non-paying jobs to perfect my craft.

Overcoming these challenges required a strong village even miles apart, and that also meant having the patience to communicate and explain my non-traditional career path. I had to remind myself, Carlie they love you and are just fearful of you reaching a dead end, especially with a handful of kids to take care of, so it’s understandable. Adopting an attitude of understanding rather than just thinking “They just don’t get it” helped me engage in shadow work and wrestle with limited beliefs about myself. I’m happy I brought balance to my inner rebel because I gained qualities that are especially important for a director working with a team. It taught me the importance of problem-solving, having patience, and valuing real-time responsiveness.

Along with hard work, having a strong spiritual compass is an absolute must. Being able to turn down all the noise and get in touch with higher guidance is refreshing and centering. If you are not a believer, simply leaving time and space for wonder helps bring clarity. It made all the difference for me especially when I was facing times of scarcity and uncertainty. Just when I reached a milestone working on union projects and thought I was going to push to the next level, I had to figure out how to balance personal health issues and professional demands, specifically speaking to having the BRCA gene, my abnormal mammogram, and the related surgeries I had to undergo. Health challenges pose a threat to motherhood, but when you add career demands, the pressure to make sound and wise decisions ramps up. As the kids have aged and started to reach new milestones, their extracurricular activities have become more demanding. I’m thankful to my partner for climbing one mountain at a time, especially as we tried to find our individuality outside of being parents. My virtual village, even though miles apart, was a big support system, enabling me to share spiritual, financial, and parenting goals, even if they didn’t agree with my decisions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s see Sunday Night. We’d hit Joystick for their ‘Supreme Circuit’ event, starting at 8 PM and going until midnight. Tuesday Night We wouldn’t miss ‘The Circle Poetry Experience’ at Gallery 992. starting around 9 PM.Friday Night we’d check out ‘Friday in the Dark’ at Fux Restaurant from 9 PM to 2 AM. Eating Out – For some amazing Haitian cuisine, we’d definitely go to Ambiance Lakay. For Indian food, Masti in Toco Hills is a must-try. modern flavors. Sweet Hut Bakery is our go-to for some sweet treats. We would stop by the DeKalb Farmers Market too for healthy Drinks and Smoothies, Arden’s Garden. We’d make sure to visit Your 3rd Spot, It’s a 21+ venue after 5 PM/ For after-hours, Ecstasy and 230 if we’re still up for more fun after a night out. We’d definitely spend some time wandering around the East Atlanta Village (EAV), and Lil Five. There’s so much more!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people, books, and organizations that have held a flashlight for me, but today I want to give a special shoutout to Gallery 992. It’s an experimental artists’ hub in the historic West End of Atlanta. This space hosts a variety of events where hundreds of creators share their unique voices and expressions. They are like a running river from which the community can draw inspiration. One event ti want to speak on is THE CIRCLE POETRY EXPERIENCE every Tuesday. It’s places like this that truly pour into individuals and enrich the community.

Website: https://carlieraymond.com

Instagram: Carlie_Raymond_

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

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

Other: tiktok – @carlieraymond

Image Credits
Rahmir Murphy