Meet Kate Lanier

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kate Lanier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kate, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I thought I was going to be an actress, or a dancer. My parents threw me into every FREE arts program available to keep me off the streets: so, ballet, tons of Theater (off off off Broadway…LOL) And I felt “filled” by the attention, the applause.
But there was another part of me that picked up stray dogs, wept for the homeless woman and her child on the subway platform (believe me, we were seconds away from that!)
I felt some unspoken, unformed need to be a Voice for the Voiceless.
I was always writing plays, short stories, screenplays that represented POC, gave voice to the people I called FAMILY, the people I came up with.
A series of fortuitous events led me to playing the lead in a brilliant small movie, THAT BURNING QUESTION created by Alan Taylor (Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and SO much more) which garnered a LOT of Hollywood attention, opened at the NY Film Festival and received numerous awards; Alan passed on a script I’d written to one of the top agents he was meeting with (Ronda Gomez at Triad.) She called me, gave me some notes on the script, and proceeded to send it out: the script, GABRIEL’S WATCHING, went into a bidding war with Warner Bros finally buying it. At that time there weren’t really any big commercial movies starring POC. Gabriel’s Watching is an BIG feature about a girl in Harlem who has an African American guardian Angel – smart, sassy, and predictive of the future….(tho’ she resists him and his direction!)

I became passionate about writing REAL authentic voices that represented people I hadn’t seen on film before. There is something about ANY sentient, feeling being that is NOT given a VOICE…. which drives me personally and creatively to help THAT voice be heard.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Yeah, I’m not “brand” material…LOL.
I DO have a new website
katelanier.com, which outlines and describes various services I provide to up and coming filmmakers, drawing on my 30+ years working as a PRODUCED and SUCCESSFUL filmmaker.
If you want the very best and most knowledgeable help, check it out! I love helping and mentoring new, exciting voices!

Since 1992 (I was in my EARLY 20’s) I have written screenplays for all the major studios, as well as for major acting talent who’ve requested my ideas and skills: about 2 scripts a year, plus doctoring jobs and rewrites!
Given that, I really have nothing else in my “back pocket.” I didn’t learn coding, nursing or engineering… have nothing else to fall back on. 🙄 Between the Pandemic and the WGA Strike (which I fully supported) screenwriters are just not getting regular work in the same way. The whole system has changed! So, I’ve been writing/directing some short Indie films with local talent and small budgets, just to keep creating and trying to push the envelope. My film LUCKY was accepted in a bunch of festivals and won a few awards. Now trying to put together a Feature, with very talented actors, crew and producers in order to have a finished product we can sell and have a “piece” of.
I’ve also written a Novel, but desperately need a skilled Literary Editor to help me. (any LITERARY EDITORS out there?) 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I have been working with 2 actor/writer/director/producers here in Santa Barbara: Brendan Fleming and Janelle Christa. Check them out on IMDbpro! Brendan is a flawless actor, and great writer. Janelle Christa is a POWERHOUSE creator – does everything – writes, directs, acts, produces, edits, and studied with David Lynch. She has won numerous awards for her Films.
Both of them have inspired me to think “outside the box” and create!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, learn to take NOTHING personally! I can’t tell you how many rewrites I’ve had to do on a Major Feature (15 to 19) where my work was criticized, broken down to pieces, completely crucified. So I learned to not get “tore up” about people’s needs and opinions.
Second is discipline. It’s brutal to sit there, force yourself to write 6-8 hours to finish a project for MGM or Sony, when you’d rather nap! I really draw on early dance/ballet (started at 6 yrs because of scoliosis) With ballet, you learn to work through “sensations” (pain) and continue on with the movement.
Third, I always kept a journal – jotting down REAL overheard conversations, ‘tags’ on abandoned buildings, songs I’d hear playing out of windows and in Clubs, etc.
Those details all pay off later, when you’re trying to create authentic moments.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I have to say that the single most important person in my life has been Doug Chapin, my manager (and Friend, editor, advisor) – who also produced What’s Love Got To Do With It? He has had more impact on me and my work ( and my Life) than any single being. Doug was my manager for about 3 decades, and his ability to hone in on what I was ACTUALLY trying to write, was uncanny.
He’s funny, charming, but also completely logical and calm – in the face of my crisis and hysteria. He always had the perfect solution to any problem.
He retired about 2 years ago. Maybe 1.5 years.
I learned SO much from his skill. They say that every writer needs a good Editor. Well Doug was that – and so much more – for me.
I miss him every day!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katelanier.com
• Instagram: lanierkate