Elizabeth Charles
“ON YOUR RADAR” IS A WEEKLY GRAD FILM NEWS SEGMENT THAT FEATURES A STUDENT PICKED AT RANDOM.
ELIZABETH CHARLES IS CURRENTLY A 3RD YEAR STUDENT AT GRAD FILM. WE ASKED HER A FEW QUESTIONS AND HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY:
Where do you consider home and what is it like there?
I've lived in four countries, so home is a very transient idea to me. My family has lived in the Cayman Islands for the last 17 years, that is most home to me. I was afforded opportunities there that aren't available anywhere else. I was fortunate enough to be able spend years on a beautiful island filled with emerald waters and a vibrant culture. It's ripe with diversity, a melting pot of different nations and races. That island has served to help build my ideology on race relations and identity.
What or who is inspiring you right now and why?
I'm continually inspired by globalization and the black, hispanic, latin american and caribbean cultures specifically. My aim is to create compelling multicultural content.
At this moment however I'm feeling so inspired by Essence's Black Women in Hollywood event, along with the wins by Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis and Issa Rae this awards season. Being a black female in media is such a specific experience filled with exciting challenges and beautiful victories. Seeing it being celebrated happens so rarely, however it makes a big difference to emerging talent like myself.
What has been your most rewarding experience at NYU Tisch Grad Film so far?
I'm having my most rewarding Tisch experience right now, writing and developing a TV series about an ambitious twenty something minority woman whose job promotion is tied to her exploiting her family and friends. I was able to pitch some of that content at a summit in Berlin over the weekend and that's actually been the greatest. The best thing about Tisch is being given the space to be able to create work that I believe in.