We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ja’Lisa Marie Kizzee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ja’Lisa Marie below.
Hi Ja’Lisa Marie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all-purpose. How did you find your purpose?
First, thank you for having me. It’s an honor to be recognized within a short period of being a filmmaker.
To answer your question, I found my purpose when I realized writing was and is all I think about; it’s my passion. It’s like no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I see a story. Every time I see an interesting piece of art, an article, or a film that moves me in one way or another, I instantly start taking notes, and by that, a story is formed.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
*Chuckles* There’s so much I could say because as a filmmaker, there are so many variations of what makes being a writer, director, and producer exciting and thrilling. It truly is a cross between writing a story and seeing it come to life on screen and meeting all the amazing people in film; be it crew members, talent, or the pre and post-production teams.
In my two years in film, I have seen some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. And with each version of it, I have learned more and more about the craft and people. Most people want to see and help you grow and are willing to show you, but you must be willing to reciprocate what’s been given. Then there are the gatekeepers who I say, are the ones that are afraid that if they teach you their ways, you now have the potential of “outshining” them. Therefore, being a gatekeeper is what keeps them secure. And that’s ok too, because we are all in this to win.
That said, I’d like to highlight a fellow Houston filmmaker and my business partner, Denise Mone’t. She and I have worked together in the past on my previous project Dangerous Thirst, a film that has gone through some rigmarole (a long story for another time.) Nevertheless, in recent months, she has been my biggest supporter, my anchor, and my fresh breath of air. She has stepped in and helped get me from a place of stillness with my projects to a place of consistent movement; all while working on her own.
Denise is tenacious and has a heart of gold. She’s smart and her creative mind is amazing. Not only does she write, direct, and produce, but she is also an actress and a very good one I might add. So much so, that she is one of my leads in my upcoming project “Through Sickness and Hell.”
In this business, you have to have people beside you who not only believe in you and your projects, but who are willing to show and teach you the things that you still have yet to learn, Denise is that person for me. And I can’t thank her enough. Because of her humble demeanor, her love for film, and her desire to see others win, GOD will see to it, that she wins twice as much, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.
Thank you, Denise, for believing in me and showing me your ways!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
*Laughs* I laugh because there are so many attributes that contribute to the growth of any goal, dream, or career path. However, for me, it’s been patience, working while you wait, and taking accountability. By these three I mean:
Patience – When things do not go as planned, you have to stay patient through the process. Everything will work out in its due time.
Work While You Wait – Everyone has their season. So, while you’re in line waiting for your turn, WORK. Work on your craft, perfect your areas of weakness, collaborate, network, broaden your audience, attend seminars or workshops, and/or take classes. Shadow seasoned people who are doing what you do and learn from them. Involve yourself in any and everything that is going to help you grow until it is your time to shine.
Accountability – This one is tough for a lot of people because people hate to be or hate to admit when they’re wrong. But taking accountability does a few things.
- Builds your character
- Shows your integrity
- Increases Self Confidence
In my two years of being a filmmaker, I have seen many instances where the ball has been dropped, and the finger-pointing was towards everyone else, except for oneself. It is truly hard to work with people who lack the ability to hold themselves accountable when things go awry because it creates tension where there should be understanding and a meeting of the minds to get the issue resolved. The idea is to not bring more problems where there already is one; it’s the solutions that keep the trains running.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you.
Well, I was raised by my mother. My dad went back to Puerto Rico when I was two. In full transparency, my mother did the right thing by leaving him. She protected us from what had the potential of being a horrible upbringing. He was an alcoholic and died of cirrhosis of the liver when I was 15. My brothers and I went back to Puerto Rico to see him while he was sick in the hospital. I thought I would look at him and hate him for not being present all those years, but when I saw him, I felt bad for him. He was already suffering enough, my hating him would’ve made his last days worse, so instead, I poured love into him.
Over the years my mother faced a multitude of struggles, and through them, she remained resilient, persistent, strong, grateful, humble, and energetic even when she was tired. She was tenacious and an overcomer. I mean the list goes on and on. What I’m trying to say is that she was a CHAMPION!
All my life struggles and challenges were met head-on with a winning spirit. Did I win every time? YES! Maybe not in the way I had visualized it, but I won. Because, for every loss I took, there was a lesson learned in it, so YES, I won every time. I’ve learned to look at losses as lessons. And sometimes, I just have to sit and analyze the lesson in it, so it’s not repeated.
Thankfully, I took heed and gravitated to those same Championship attributes that my mother raised me with. It’s because of them that my attitude towards life and my growth is so prevalent. But I owe it to my amazing mother who took her final breath on March 1, 2011. Her impact on me and the way she showed me how to navigate through life is what got me to where I am today. And I wish she was here to see how amazing she did with me.
Thank you, Mami!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pynkdyamondproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalisa.pynkdyamond.marie/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PynkDyamondPro
