Award Winning Actress Alicia McClendon Talks Her New Film “Last Words,” Anime, Music + More
ButterB: Welcome to 2KIB, I am really excited to do this interview. To start off, can you tell us a little about your personal journey? How you got started in film (producing, screenwriting, and acting)?
Alicia: Thank you for having me! When I was in the second grade our teacher had us write a short story. At first I was really scared of the assignment because I had never done anything like this before, but I just started writing and writing and I just couldn’t stop. Ever since then I’ve been trying to put together pictures out of my mind and create these words. I got into film making in college. I wanted to film my work and I wanted my screenplays to be seen by audiences. I have been in filmmaking ever since. It’s something that’s just been in my heart and I can’t stop
ButterB: I love it, that’s awesome. It sounds like you really have a passion for it . What would you say would be the most fun project you have ever done?
Alicia: I would say the most fun project I’ve ever done was the last film we did, which was “Last Words.” It’s a dramatic short that I wrote. I had the most fun because the director actually directed. People have a tendency to want the directing credit but don’t actually direct the actors. They actually made me perform, they got it out of me. I was able to focus on my performance itself and they took care of everything else.
ButterB: After watching the trailer, that film really peaked my interest. It seems like you’re touching on a deep subject matter, which is often times challenging. Along with it being a fun project, would you say it was challenging also?
Alicia: It was super challenging because the character was so broken and traumatized. I wrote it based on what happened to me. Even though I wasn’t as broken or traumatized as the character, I was able to write something that did happen to me and expand on it a little bit. I was able to create this character and tell a great story.
Butter: I saw that you were going to start a kickstarter for the film, could you tell us a little more about it and how people can donate to this project?
Alicia: We have a kickstarter for the “Last Words” film. Right now we are at about thirteen hundred dollars and we need a little more to fund it and get it through post production, and get it to film festivals. Please pledge, we have T-shirts, production scripts, and many other rewards on there. I just ask people to share it. You can be one of the first ones to actually see the film. We want to collaborate with people and we just hope that this kickstarter is successful.
Butter: Which filmmaker has influenced you the most?
Alicia: Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. The movie “From Dusk Til Dawn” really made me want to go into writing for film. At first I was just writing short stories and when I saw that movie I realized that I wanted to write screenplays. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez are the reason I started. I literally wouldn’t be writing scripts if it wasn’t for them and that movie.
Butter: What in your opinion is the most important quality of a screen writer, and what is the most important quality of a director?
Alicia: Collaboration! You can’t just assume what you write is going to be on the film. It’s going to change dramatically. You have to be collaborative and understanding with a strong heart. Even the actors are going to change some of the writing itself when they portray the characters. Nothing is set in stone. As far as from a directors perspective, I would say the most important quality is being understanding. As a director you’re putting together these pictures that someone else wrote. You are taking someone else’s idea and creating a piece of art. Understanding the importance and value of that can go a long way.
Butter: Any advice for young film makers out there?
“To get in this industry, you have to be really strong, mentally and emotionally. You have to be prepared.”
-Alicia McClendon
Alicia: My advice for young film makers is to find a crew. You are the boss. Find someone to do audio, lighting, and videographers. Lastly, make the film. That’s the start of a beautiful career. If you just start by making your first one, you got it. Stick to your values, stick to who you are. The industry will try to break you. To get in this industry, you have to be really strong, mentally and emotionally. You have to be prepared.
Butter: How do you handle writers block if you ever experienced it?
Alicia: They say writers block is not real, just yourself not believing in yourself. I have writers block… What I do is I watch television and listen to music to get into the mood. When I hear certain songs, I start thinking about little videos in my head. That helps me push forward. I would recommend listening to music that relates to your writing project. Something that you would use in your film. Other advice I would say would be to watch tv, read a book, read other screenplays. It really helps.
Butter: What is an example of a song you really like to listen to while you write that gets you going?
Alicia: I’m weird, so I will listen to Japanese music or Chinese music from movies. I really like anime music. Their music is just so impactful, like you really feel it. They make me feel and think about things. Listen to anime music and you will get into writing.
Butter. That is definitely unique! How did you discover that?
Alicia: I love martial arts film, and I’m also a huge fan of anime. They just have so many stories that you wouldn’t see anywhere else.
Butter: That’s so awesome! Speaking of martial arts, I saw that you do martial arts yourself.
Alicia: Yes! I have been in martial arts for a couple years. I attend the The School of Self Defense in Indianapolis and I love it. I’m going to be in martial arts for long time. I feel like there is nothing that can take me away from it. The movie “Ip Man” got me into martial arts. It was about Bruce lee’s mentor. When I saw that film, I knew I wanted to do that and do Wing Chun. My goal one day is to make a martial arts film.
Butter: You have so much wisdom. It was a pleasure talking to you, and I am super pumped to watch your new film “Last Words.”
Alicia: Thanks Butter, it was a pleasure talking to you as well!
Very fun and well written article. I liked the advice Alicia shared for upcoming creatives. I’ll be supporting her film.
Excellent post!