Meet LaQuanda Plantt: Filmmaker, Casting Director, Life Coach & Author

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

Hi LaQuanda, how do you think about risk?
I think about risk as being apart of the process. You can have achievement or success without it. No one that has obtained any type of success has done so without taking a risk. If you are uncertain of the outcome, that is a risk. For me, not knowing anything about being a casting Director or the business side of entertainment was a risk choosing to do this instead of getting a 9 to 5, especially in Atlanta. Being a mother of two and not solidifying guaranteed income & benefits, like my mother told me to do was indeed a risk. Going against the gain and doing what you love is a risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I want to believe when my grandmother named me LaQuanda, she has a vision for me to step outside the box lol. As a teenager I knew I wanted to work in television & film. I did not know how I was going to do it but it was what I wanted to do. I fell into Casting while a student back in 2008. I enjoyed Casting so I went with that but I have always had a passion for filmmaking. I want to be a Director but Atlanta was not the film city back then that it is now. I did not think being a Director was something I could do but fast forward a decade and I direct my first short film. Since I have directed another short film and I episodic pilot. In 2012 I produced my first project. Never thought of being a Producer, but I believe that women are natural producers, we just have the tendency to make sh** happen! Fast forward, I have three films I produced air on Netflix. From 2008 – 2018, I have financially struggled, been homeless, not compensated & all around struggled but I kept pushing. Those struggles taught me how hard I was willing to sacrifice for what I wanted, I learned valuable lessons throughout my journey. My most valuable lesson learned is that it is perfectly fine to say “NO”.

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?
Luckily for me my best friend is boring just like I am so we at the house watching tv lol…I’m a pretty decent cook so when she does visit (Hey Pam!) she doesn’t want to go anywhere & I’m a homebody so that is alright with me! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I shouted out one person that wouldn’t be fair because I’ve been blessed with such an AMAZING support system that includes people I know and also people I don’t know. I’ve received countless emails from strangers sharing how I’ve inspired them and that has helped me keep going when I doubted myself. So shoutout to everyone that has shown me love and support, who has physically been apart of my journey, who have wiped my tears during my struggles & celebrated my victories…shout out to you!

Website: laquandaplantt.com or ElleQCasting.com

Instagram: @elleq.everything @elleqcoaching

Twitter: @elleqcasting

Facebook: LaQuanda Plantt (ElleQ Casting Page & Group)

Image Credits
Lyndon Winchester Summer Knight Monica Gray