Tressa Smallwood and A.J. Johnson of ‘Fighting to Be Me’ is More than a Movie

Source: Reach Media / Urban One

With us is award-winning writer, producer and founder of Megamind Media, Tressa Smallwood and actress and Wellness powerhouse AJ Johnson.  I’m excited to have y’all and excited to talk about this new film ‘Fighting to Be Me’, so I understand it’s your new film and it’s more than a film it’s a movement. So AJ tell us all about it 

A.J. Johnson

It’s a lot deeper, like you said, even for me personally, it’s a lot deeper than a movie because I’m real, real serious about what God calls me to do.  In every area of my life and trying to really make sure I’m walking on purpose. When Tressa called me and said OK, we got something different, we got something different.  And I said, well, how is it diffferent? 

And she said, well, it’s a biopic #1 it’s a true story about people who actually walk in the earth, right?  It’s a story of the struggles, the challenges, the mountains, valleys, of you know, family dealing with transgender in their family. And so playing Mama Cynthia this is The Dwen Curry Story playing her mom. We had to take all the responsibility of sharing what love really is. What unconditional love really is, and I think that’s what the story is. 

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GUMEC 

So diversity in Hollywood still faces major challenges Tressa and as a producer, how do you navigate these challenges? 

Teresa Smallwood

So the blessing is that the Lord has positioned me Erica where I am able to decide what project I do. I am self funded most of the time.  Sometimes I am co-funded by network, so I really get to write my own story.  So even though you know it’s a tough time for diversity, I get to still keep going.  And that’s simply call God favor. He positioned me that way. Most people don’t like putting up their own money because it’s a struggle. But back in 2015 when I shot my very first movie, I took that leap of faith with my family But there were some financial struggle because we had to come up with those funds.  But now 30 movies later, you know what you can say that Black History Month is not existing, but we get ready to pop out for Black History Month films.  So that’s my kind of my take on it now.   

GUMEC 

Wow, both of you are passionate about uplifting the next generation and AJ, What advice would you give to aspiring creatives who are looking to break into the film? 

A.J. Johnson

You know, I’ve been in this business long enough to learn what works for me and what doesn’t.  And I don’t want to be stuck on a set 15 hours for 2, 3, 4 weeks with people I don’t know that I don’t like that people that are not of like spirited, like minded, I say make the choices now so that you have a career of 40 years, Praise God, you know, critically acclaimed projects of respect of integrity.  That comes from saying  what does my soul, say do and stay true to that. 

Check out the full interview below and stream Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story on BET+ 

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Tressa Smallwood and A.J. Johnson Share Why ‘Fighting to Be Me’ is a Must See  was originally published on ionegetupmornings.staging.go.ione.nyc