Monet Morgan is the founder of her film production company aMONET Vision. She’s the next generation of female directors coming from the UK and is known for her short film “Double-Crossing”, which is her first major project since leaving secondary school. The fire is still there and her passion for filmmaking has seen her developed an increasing portfolio alongside her coursework.
Despite studying at university for Film Production, she’s been working on her next project that everyone has been buzzing about starring the fresh talent of Black men entitled “Brothers In Suits”. She tell us a little bit about the show and how it’ll change the script and perspectives; in additional to bringing a new diversity of characters.
If that wasn’t enough, she talks with us about her vision for her production company, juggling university, growing as a filmmaker, being among the new wave of Black female directors in the film industry and giving acknowledgement to R.M Moses and Richard Attah.
Another inspiring interview taking note of what’s coming on the horizon in the UK Film Industry.
1. Monet, you’re now currently at university studying Film Production. How’s that going?
Studying Film Production is great. I’m in love with film making and writing and I’m glad I get to perfect my skills through University. I am able to work with young talented filmmakers from all over the United Kingdom that I would have probably never met if it was not for University. Most importantly, I’m learning and building connections and networking. I must admit at times it can get really frustrating as all I really want to do is film for me to add to my projects but I’m stuck doing these different assignments and meeting several deadlines. I’ve just finished my first year which I am happy about and my aim is to finish my studies successfully.
2. Nevertheless, despite being grounded in the books, you still have certain projects coming up; with “Brothers In Suits” being one of them?
Yes! “Brothers in Suits” one of my upcoming projects that will be coming up. It is a British Legal Drama Web Series and I am excited about this project. There would be more projects coming from me in the future, I have a mind full of ideas but right now “Brothers in Suits” has my full attention.
3. Obviously with respect to your craft, a lot of things have been kept in the secret safe of classified. Therefore please leave us with three words to describe the “Brothers In Suits” webseries.
Wow, that is quite difficult lol.
Three words to describe “Brothers in Suits”
1 – Inspirational
2 – Epic
3 – Unforgettable
4. Okay, this would be our LAST QUESTION about it (because we’re so intrigued). You’ve done a host range of work. Your sophomore ones “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Why Her” to your first independent “Double-Crossing”. In additional to the visual you did for author Tannika Williams-Nelson for her second published novel “Underclass – 7”. So tell us in two sentences:
a) Tell us how “Brothers In Suits” is different from your previous projects.
b) How “Brothers In Suits” is a growth from your previous projects as a filmmaker.
a) “Brothers in Suits” is different not only because is it a sequence of a visual narrative, but it is different because the thought process in creating the idea alone was different to the rest. I have a purpose in the idea and a narrative to make it entertaining.
b) I would definitely say that the writing in “Brothers in Suits” is a step up from the work I’ve previously done. As well as filming, I write all my projects and sometimes produce it too. But with this project in particular, it is my intentions to present it right and correctly. It has enlightening me to aspects of film that I have not reached yet as I’m still quite young. But I just take that as a good thing, I’m learning and seeing how important it is to have certain locations, equipment, connections to create something just like a mainstream show or film.
5. Any updates and exclusives as to when it’ll be released?
At this point, realistically at the beginning of next year it should be released. Exclusives will be coming leading up to the release of the series. Updates will be announced on the @BrothersinSuits Twitter page.
6. Don’t know if you heard, but Ava Duvernay is supposedly directing the “Black Panther” movie. Shame that it’s been pushed back to a later date though, but it’s exciting, because she’s a really good female director and a role model to many Black female directors.
Where can I begin with Ava Duvernay, she is absolutely amazing. She directs, writes and produces. There are rumours about her taking on Black Panther which is great. Personally, the whole superhero genre is not my cup of tea but it would be great for her if she takes that on.
She is absolutely great, seen her film “I Will Follow” on Netflix and my mum has the Selma DVD which was fantastic. Definitely a role model especially to the black female directors. She is a hard working woman and I really respect her.
7. How important is it for Black female directors to create a powerful perspective of Black men in their films and work — away from the common stereotypes of wife-beaters, thugs, gangsters “beat downs”. We believe that it’s important that the Black community start building new images that are positive and healthy, as well as show a diversity of characters. In relation to themselves as well as each other. Regardless of the mainstream marmite.
I think it is very important. It is quite easy to put black men into the ‘thug’ and ‘gangster’ role because that it what they are perceived as by majority of the public. The ‘wife beaters’ role are becoming popular too now. It is just very negative and this is what I don’t like. The media is powerful. They have the ability to make the general public believe what they are saying or presenting is the truth and reality. Our reality is not that all black men are thugs and commit crimes, our reality is not all black females are angry and is comfortable being on benefits.
It is 2015 and it is time to make a change and to uplift our culture into positive and we have to start doing that within the black community.
There are shows on TV with a majority black cast or a leading black male or female in a positive way such as Empire, Blackish, Scandal, How to get away with Murder, Being Mary Jane, Power which are getting great views and ratings. So we are heading in the right direction, we need to do this over here in the UK as well.
8. If you had your dream movie, who would be your dream cast?
This is a very hard question and I feel like the answer I give now will change tomorrow and then the next day lool.
Urm… this is really difficult because I don’t particularly have a dream movie in mind and it really does depend on the movie.
I think it would be amazing if I could get Will Smith, Kerry Washington, Leonardo Dicaprio or Brad Pitt or Bradley Cooper and a great young actor/actress like Amandla Stenberg. Hearing that cast sounds like a movie I would want to create in future.
9. Here’s a challenging one. If you had to direct a movie showing the Black people’s contribution to world history and their achievements. What would it be? What part of history would the movie be inspired by? Take note that we don’t want to slave story. Even that story has been Disneylined a little from the harsh reality. Also it has to be a movie away from “American” history…everyone knows about theirs, but the race share interesting narratives as a whole across the Diaspora. So we NEED tell it in its fullness.
This is difficult. Wow.
This would seems like a documentary movie and for me to pick one that is away from the “American” history would need a lot of research. Well the whole thing in general would need a lot of research lol.
I have been reading lately and came across an article about black inventors. I never knew that some things we use today where created by black people and I know a lot of people don’t know this very fact. I think that would be a great documentary film to educated and make people aware and appreciative. I think that meets the requirements to your question, lol.
10. Who do you think that we should look out for in the upcoming UK film scene?
There are two filmmakers who have projects coming out whom are R.M. Moses and Richard Kattah. There are probably so much more and I wish I knew more. However I follow them on Twitter and their work ethic and quality of their films is admirable. I’d say to look out for their upcoming work.
11. Do you think that UK actors should stop going to America in order to pursue their dreams? It has always been the best method for many, especially Black actors. However with the rise of the Internet influence on entertainment will this change perspective about actors’ prospects.
I wouldn’t tell or stop anyone to chase their dreams. If going to the United States will make your dreams come true for your career, I’ll say go ahead. You have to understand that in the United States, they have a great platform for film and TV. They also support the movement too, look at how many mainstream films and TV shows they produce every year. This is what the United Kingdom lacks so it would attract actors to eventually go there for the benefit of their career. I think once that changes in the UK, actors and actresses will pursue more in UK projects and it will also attract American actors and actresses to work the UK projects too. Internet influence will always be there, that is the media. But most actors and actresses make decisions based on what is best for them and their career.
12. What is your main goal with aMONET Vision?
‘aMONETvision’ is my brand and my production company. It initialises my name and my distinctive vision. I want to have a platform of a lot of short films and series with this vision where it is open for other filmmakers and writers to join forces and also create more projects.
13. What inspired you to get into filming? Did you pick it as a choice during secondary school?
I studied Media and Production in College and that is where I fell in love with filming. I was studying A Levels at first and I only really liked studying Media out of all my other subjects. I made the choice to only study Media the next year and I am so glad I made that decision. It led me to where I am today.
14. Any plans of going to the Black Filmmaker International Film Festival? It’s a good place to network…also the British Film Festival is a MAJOR one too.
I will definitely attend both film festivals. Hopefully they are not going to interfere with any filming I would have going on lol. But I will make sure I attend both to network and see some great films.
15. How can people be updated with MONET Vision despite being at university?
To keep updated with aMONETvision is to follow me at @aMONETvision on Twitter. There is something I am working with for the aMONETvision production company and fingers crossed everything turns out right. I will have a website created for aMONETvision as well soon however it is under construction at the moment. Everything will be announced on Twitter, that is 100% guarantee.
