“Yes!” That’s what I remember blurting excitedly when I was asked to direct my first movie for Girlfriends Films. I was delightfully surprised and could hardly even believe that they would want me to make movie magic for them. And I’ve been saying, “Yes!” ever since.
It took a couple months to get my first movie off the ground. I did some brainstorming sessions with B. Skow and we narrowed down my plethora of ideas to one theme: lesbian wrestling/sexfighting. My first movie, “Fit Chick Clique,” was done in a mega hot warehouse in the middle of the Vegas summer, but those girls were fucking amazing and so dedicated! Their sweaty scissoring and sizzling sculpted bodies were better than what I imagined. It was such a good experience, that I wanted to do more right away.
I was happy when I heard I could do another movie. For the second one, I stuck with the fitness theme, since it’s what I know best. Next, I made “Yogasms,” which was a blast to make, and it’s been a hit since it hit the market! After that, they started giving me classic series to direct like “Women Seeking Women,” “Lesbian Sex” and “Please Make Me Lesbian.”
So far, I’ve written and directed 10 movies (that’s 40 steamy, sexy lesbian scenes!) since August 2019; way more than I ever thought I could do! I’m working on my next four days’ worth of scripts for February now, “Bad Lesbians” and “Twisted Passions.” Of course, I hope to keep going strong and continue on this path, but there’s no guarantee they’ll continue to choose me. My directing is a lot like my drumming; I’m a beginner, so it’s not exactly brilliant, but it’s rhythmic and reliable. I’m there to keep the crew together, to keep the talent in harmony, and to make the product a hit! I don’t take any of the days for granted. I’m always thrilled for each opportunity, and I take it as seriously as I can.
I asked if I was the first female director for Girlfriends, and they replied, “No,” that Nica Noelle directed for them. Then they replied, but you are the first topless director! I looked down and realized my tits were out, because I was in the current wrestling scene. It felt so natural and normal to be bossing babes around with my breasts out, that I didn’t even think about it.
It’s been the most amazing personal challenge to be able to go from the role of writer to director, camera-worker and performer all in one day. They’re long days, but I feel like the Little Engine That Could; I'm just happy to be useful and working! As a mother, I am hustling extra hard. It’s not just me I need to feed/clothe/spoil — I have children, a man, a home, relatives and pets that all rely on me to be healthy and productive! I also dearly love my industry family and enjoy being able to treat these ladies right with paid, professional work that leaves them feeling good about themselves.
It’s truly an honor to have a company as grand and award-winning as Girlfriends Films take me under their wing and trust me with their brand and content. It’s definitely way more work than some can fathom: there are constant hours of casting, recasting (because of the high amount of cancellations), writing scripts, making call sheets, getting props, making sets, promoting before-during-after, camera work, paperwork, etc. I’m like running laps all day, providing things to crew, talent and answering calls. I leave each day sore as hell from carrying furniture around for set displays and holding cameras in crazy angles. It’s physically and mentally demanding. It’s definitely not a job you can just show up and walk away from at the end of the day.
I’m literally always working or thinking about work now, mostly due to all the writing! Story-making is an art; I catch inspiration at all times of the day and night, anywhere and everywhere. I am always jotting down ideas or leaving voice memos or texting myself something to remember. I’ve always loved writing and recently got my Bachelor of Arts degree after a six-year hiatus to raise my kids and focus on family life. So it’s really nice to be back into the game in such a strong and influential way, applying my college knowledge right out of the gate.
I am not the greatest scriptwriter yet, though. It’s very different to write for film than to write, to be read, such as with essays, articles and novels, so it’s been a learning curve to get the dialogue and blocking right. Sometimes I have to write all through the night because it’s the only time I have. For instance, I just had to redo two days’ worth of stories in half a day; we had to completely recast the movie due to lack of flights in and out of Las Vegas. We have a high cancellation rate, which is an additional challenge. Most industry girls live and work in Los Angeles, so shooting in Las Vegas for Girlfriends Films can be tricky.
In this role, it’s important to get along with a wide variety of people, or at least gently persuade them to take direction if they’re being divas. As a director, not only do you have to understand, motivate and lead the talent, but you also have to be able to deal with the producers, editors, marketers, talent agents, company bosses and fans. It can be very intimidating at times, but it’s always stimulating and educational! It feels as though I'm learning and growing exponentially, and it’s amazing to have this new outlet to share my creativity and sexuality globally, via high-quality lesbian movies!
