What Makes NoHo Special is the People. Meet Ciera Parrack.
 |
| Ciera Parrack. Photo credit: Christopher Patey |
Yes. We love NoHo. But what makes the NoHo Arts District special is definitely the people. We always look for special individuals who use their talent to make our one-mile North Hollywood community the fun and fabulous place it actually is. Meet Ciera Parrack, a woman of many talents.
Tell us about your involvement with The Sherry Theatre and the exciting things that happen at the theatre.
I've been involved with The Sherry Theater in one way or another for about seven years now. It's run by two guys who I consider my brothers, Scott Haze and Lukas Behnken, and it has grown into a real solid artistic family. The theater has always been for me, and I believe many others, an oasis for the artist looking for a place to be welcomed and to thrive. I'm very grateful for it! I've done a lot of plays there over the years, the last being "A Hatful of Rain" in June 2013. It was a major success and I think demonstrated to all of us involved, as well as the audience, that theater is alive and as powerful as it ever has been-even here in L.A.!
Along with plays, the theater encourages the local filmmakers to create with its 120 Hour Film Festival, of which I was a part of the last. It was a great experience and challenged me to write, direct, star in, shoot and edit a short film in just five days. It's called "A Very Fragile Interior" and won a Best Cinematographer award. It was really incredible to be a part of something so inspired with so many great people, supporting and encouraging one another. That's what The Sherry Theater is and always has been about.
The most current things I'm doing there are the ongoing artistic variety night that I produce called "Nights of Soul." It's a big art expression party with singers, dancers, poets, painters of all ages and walks of life all coming together to express their raw talent without judgment or fear. It's been really healing and great for a lot of artists and audience members I think. I am so grateful for it's success and the opportunity to team up with the theater and offer a space like this to our local artists. It's also a great way to build our ever-growing artistic community in the most positive environment. It's a blast! Our next shows will be Thursday October 17th & 24th, 7pm & 10pm. You can find us on Facebook, Nights of Soul.
Last, but certainly not least, is the screening of two films from 120 Productions, Inc. on Sunday, September 29th. The first is the film that I wrote, directed and star in that just had its premiere at The El Portal Theater a few weeks ago to a very strong reception. It's called "Daisy's." The second film is "Post," written and directed by Jim Parrack and starring me, that had it's debut a few years ago. They are both amazingly inspired films with perhaps even more powerful filmmaking stories behind them. It's pure inspiration for the actor, moviemaker or pretty much anyone who wants to believe that anything is possible and we are so excited to get to offer them to our community. Reservations and information can be found HERE>>
Tell us about your background in producing independent films.
"Daisy's" was the first film that I directed or produced. I decided to do it because I was sick of waiting for a great acting part to come along and figured that if I really wanted it, I would be willing to do what it took to get it. And so I did. But, that meant making no excuses. To begin, I didn't have any money, any equipment, any idea how I would get this thing off the ground. But I had faith and I had determination and, I had my fellow actors who believed in this crazy idea as much as I did, and that proved to be a very powerful combination. We made it happen. One of the other leads of the film, Jennifer Black, put us in touch with her hometown of Corning, Arkansas and we shot there for free. Our friends, Rabbit Bandini productions, lent us their camera and equipment and my actors doubled as the crew. I had one of the other leads, Andrea Dantas, holding the boom mic in between her takes. Whenever I hit a road block, a question that didn't seem to have an answer, I would just remind myself that I was doing this because I felt called to, because I loved it and for me it was an act of love. And then, somehow, something miraculous would happen and a door would open up with a solution better than I could have imagined. So, I guess what I'm saying is that my experience producing a pretty much no-budget feature film is that when you don't have the cash to spend to secure certain things, it can either bare down on you or it can inspire a great deal of ingenuity, creativity and faith. Thankfully for me I chose the latter and the filmmaking became a great, wild adventure and, in the end, tangible proof that anything is possible. With love and in this crazy art thing, anything is possible.
What are some tips you could give to emerging filmmakers?
Don't limit yourself. Try to listen to your own heart as much as you listen to outside forces. All of that is old, recycled information that may not serve you. But your artistic heart has vision and I promise you, because I found it out for myself, that anything your heart says is possible you have the strength to make happen. As long as you’re willing to work hard, no excuses, and keep an open mind, there is nothing that is outside your reach. Nothing. So dream big! And don't forget to include your friends. Nothing worth anything happens alone.
What are some upcoming projects in the works?
I'm always looking for more artists to collaborate with and support in any way I can. "Daisy's" will soon be available for download on iTunes and more, all info on our website www.daisysfilm.com.
And keep your eyes and ears open for my next feature film, which I wrote, and I will direct and act in as well. It's called "Tell Me Again That You LOVE Me" and we will be shooting in Spring 2014 in San Francisco. I've partnered with producer Lukas Behnken, he runs The Sherry, and his production company Makin' Movies Man Productions, and can't wait to get started on this one. Stay tuned and stay inspired!
{vimeo}66651265{/vimeo}
Daisy’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/daisysfilm
Daisy’s twitter: @daisysfilm
Daisy website: www.daisysfilm.com
Ciera Parrack Facebook: www.facebook.com/cparrack
Ciera Parrack twitter: @cieraparrack
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood's NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com.