Meet Naomi Ross | Writer & Director

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

Hi Naomi, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think many people would consider my career path a risk, especially for someone like me. I’m a blind woman pursuing film, an already tough industry to break into. It is risky, but if it’s worth doing, it’s not going to be easy. My blindness, low vision, has presented many challenges in my life. From a young age, I have heard from one person or another that this condition will limit my future. I have heard people say that I won’t be able to achieve because I am disabled. However, my parents, my mentors, Jeanine Fiterpaldi-Wert at Campabilities in Columbus, Georgia, Garrick Scott with the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, Karen Remington with Bibb County Public Schools Vision Instruction services, and my passion for creative storytelling drive me to achieve what many think is unlikely or impossible.

The arts depend on creativity, adaptation, and diverse perspectives

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.
My brand is inspired by things I like. I’ve always read mysteries, horror, and fantasy. That passion was compounded by amazing films like Get Out, Rosemary’s Baby, and Who Cloned Tyrone. All of these films carry the added appeal of engaging with societal issues, which I find deeply compelling. I aspire to do the same in my work. Whether that’s talking about race or manipulation and heteronomy, like my capstone film Dinner and Diatribes.

I’m passionate about stories that focus on character-building and creating stories about people we don’t usually see leading living phenomenal, incomprehensible, fantasmic lives or surviving and winning against strange but powerful forces. I decided to pursue this arena to introduce and conceptualize an idea that exists in the people often hidden in film and television.

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.
I would take them to Krog Street Tunnel first. Experiencing the art and amalgamation of community down there was such a cool experience the first time I went, and I’d have to share. Plus, we could draw. There are also so many independent book stores all around, little hidden gems that have way better vibes than Barnes & Noble (no shade), and the people are so friendly. Seriously support local bookstores. We’d hit up Criminal Records in Little Five Points afterwards. We’d spend a bit of time at the shops there before a late lunch. There’s this Japanese restaurant in Decatur, Tenya. I know, I know, the drive would be a little long, but it’s worth the 36 plus minutes. They have the best sandos and the mazemen is so good. Cap the whole trip of with a show at Whole World Improv Theatre, amazing talents those guys.

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’m only where I am thanks to the confidence of my family, blood and chosen, which is what propels me ever closer to my goals. My first actresses were my sisters; they entertained my early directing style, which was absolutely abysmal. My mother reads every script. And my father taught me Adobe. They set me up to succeed and to this day support me without question. Shoutout to Daisy Ross, my mother, Kelvin Ross, my father, and my siblings. And to the National Federation of the Blind, who helped teach me that I can live the life I want.

Website: https://naomirossfilms.com/diatribes-shortfilm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild.grapez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile

Other: Support the Surreal Horror Film Dinner and Diatribes

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dinner-diatribes-a-student-horror-short-film/x/38643248#/