After returning to school at the age of 44 to improve her craft, Michelle Payne graduated and went to work creating the Las Vegas Black Film Festival. More widely known as Ms. Michelle, Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Visionary Officer of LVBFF sat down in the Greenspun Hall of Urban Affairs at her alma mater to speak about being a black woman in the film industry, Stacey Dash, #OscarsSoWhite, and how this year’s upcoming festivals will be better than ever.
Who/what brought you into the world of film? Are you influenced by any person or life situation?
My love for art. I’ve been writing since I was a child and very creative since I was a child. So, the world of film was inevitable for my path.
I was born for this. My dad used to build a platform in the front yard under our garage and the children in the neighborhood used to be a part of my drama. I never went to school to write plays. I did go to school to get my degree in film production.
Were you influenced by someone along the way?
All the way I did [have support] but as a child, I am unable to remember who my influences were because nobody in my family- none of my close friends, none of my relatives were in the entertainment industry. It could be someone on TV, I do not remember, so I do not know… who is to blame. (Laugh)
I started doing this very young; I am unable to just show and tell, it has to be a whole production for me. As far back as I can remember, ever since I was a child, this is something I’ve loved. Express myself through art and performance.
I must pay tribute to a man – he died last year but his name was Lanyard Williams. He is my mentor. He is a performer of art; he worked with all the greats, and he just took me under his wing and taught me all the technical stuff that you cannot wing. He taught me all this stuff and therefore birthed my opportunity to travel and tour nationally, because he took me under his wing. So I must do this [pay homage]. He is very well known and highly respected in this community and communities all over the world. So, what a man.
Before he died, I finally returned to school. I want to take my work to a higher level, from the stage to the big screen. I noticed that I did not know certain things like how to edit or how to use the camera. I can write, produce live, but I need to know those special things-
You’re already a triple threat, ladies!
But I need to know those things, then I can do it myself, which is precisely what I do, which is why I’m a triple threat! (Laugh)
What precisely did you find missing in Las Vegas culture and when did you realize it? What were some of your top actions once you realized them?
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, I’m a native here. So I’ve at all times noticed an absence of color in entertainment, on the Strip, and in shows. There has at all times been an absence of culture in this city. It is at all times like that. That’s why the drama and theater that I’ve been doing since 1998 did so well here because it is a missing piece of the cultural variety of entertainment in this city.
I do not believe in separation because I do not see colours. I believe the colours of the rainbow, make the world go round. But as a black woman, I am unable to help but notice- that sometimes you know I feel like I’m in my sixties. It’s like, “Really?” So I am unable to ignore it but I haven’t got to give up on it. I do not need to become involved with stupidity.
What do you think it takes to become First Lady of Gospel Theater given that you’re nationally recognized? What is meant by that name?
That title was given to me by Dr. Bobby Jones. I had the opportunity to perform one of my bestselling stage plays—Is That Man Your Husband? – I got national distribution with it and that I was the first black female playwright to make it occur. There was an award show going on in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, I was nominated and that I did not know it existed. And I won an Agape Eagle Award for Black Theater Producer. Among my nominees is the only woman there. I’m the only woman sitting at the table. When dr. Bobby Jones gave me credit, they said, “Point that big jumbo camera on the table.” He said, “There is something wrong with this picture. There is only one woman there in this genre of work,” I’m the first woman of gospel theater because I’m the first woman to boldly step into this part of the industry that’s dominated by men. I share mine. My first play. And it goes all over the world.
–What kind of growth have you seen in the Las Vegas Black Film Festival since its inception? What are your hopes for this year?
I want it to be a better year than last year. We want to grow and get better as time goes by. I want this festival to talk a lot about what you can do if you do not quit. I want it to be someone’s dream come true that motivates and encourages. That’s the message I want to convey more than the message in the films that come in, more than the message of the things that an incredible speaker can say. I want the message from the festival’s foundation to reach people. And that’s: if you have a dream that looks impossible, if it looks like one of those trees or mountains that you cannot climb, you can, you can.
–Do you think the variety issue is getting better or is the film industry taking a step back?
I believe it is getting better, here’s why: Years ago, Hollywood, the Oscars, they had a say in everything. So there isn’t any chance for somebody like me to have a movie that can be seen in theaters. But now, the industry has taken a really broad turn. Because independent filmmakers took over. Hollywood is now coming to our little festival to say, “Watch have? We need something.” There are some people who make movies with tiny cameras and even iPhones. The digital world is unquestionably taking over. So it is changed for the better.
– What do you think of modernized films with African-American leads that revolve around a time of slavery, civil rights, and the overall oppression of black people?
I’m tired. Like, really, anything? The message is relevant, I just think it should be told with a “now” story. Tell me about what happened now. That can be very sad and that I would hate to see so much money spent when we already know the story. And I hate that we must make movies like that to win Oscars.
–As a black woman in the film industry, what do you consider the #OscarsSoWhite issue and the absence of strong black leads in movies?
There must be a scarcity. You get Taraji, you get Viola Davis, you get Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, and Regina King. They all have major roles in shows that are on TV. But consider all the other talented black women in Hollywood all vying for the role Kerry Washington ultimately got. They all fought over the role that Viola Davis ultimately got. But consider everything else on TV and who’s in the main cast. Platforms like the Las Vegas Black Film Festival are important for black talent to be visible.
–More recently, actress Stacey Dash’s surveillance of predominantly black events like award shows and other media outlets has garnered plenty of attention and raised questions like: Do black people need to stop segregating themselves? Is it necessary?
I believe he is using words that do not even make sense. Separation is not even possible at this time. …Separation. I believe that’s a terrible word to use. [The Oscars] the whole panel is a bunch of old white men. Of course they will not vote Straight from Compton as the winning film. This is not their cup of tea. That’s why on the LVBFF team, not just me on the panel. Because I will only choose what I like. That means there will not be plenty of variety. #Oscarssowhite because the panels are so white. If they fix the panel, then they fix the problem. I believe that’s great [people from different] cultures get together and celebrate themselves.
– Has your faith or religion played a role in your career? If yes, how?
Very. I believe that, without faith it’s impossible to please God, but with faith and through faith I can do anything, anything and everything that I set my mind on. My exchange is faith. What I believe according to my faith is that I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me and without faith it’s impossible. I live by faith, walk by faith, it is all about faith.
It’s not about me and it never was. It’s at all times been about creating a platform to celebrate people and the various talents and gifts that we have.
– What advice would you give to young people who have an interest in becoming a part of filmmaking, acting, screenwriting or directing? Something specific to black or minority people?
They absolutely need to come to the Las Vegas Black Film Festival! (Laughter) and other festivals that celebrate black artists. There are lots of individuals out there who have the finances, who have the connections, who can help, who want to help and are searching for them. But if you do not put yourself in a position to be found….you must put yourself around people who are doing what you want to do. And it is no secret.
