Minorities In Film Spotlight
Ashanti is the Founder and Producer at True Tone Collective a media production company based in Queens, New York. She continues to focus her talents towards empowering artists of color by hiring them on her production crews and focusing on clientele that preface eduquity,diversity and inclusion in their brand. True Tone Collective offers production mentorship as well to help filmmakers break into the industry get the opportunity to crew up on projects as well. She works as a producer, director, writing, dp and editor. True Tone Collective empowers filmmakers and clients with an opportunity to work with a production company that aligns with delivering high quality products from the development process through post production so they walk away with the best experience we can provide.
What is your origin story/ how did you make your way into filmmaking?
I started in the film industry ironically through fine arts. I studied to become an artist but after failing my auditions and being accepted into the Academy for Careers in Television and Film as a highschool student. I found my spark at that institution and found my community at The Apollo Theater. I found in those space that I loved being on set and that I love to empower people of color to create stories across all digital mediums.
What fuels your creativity?
My passion to push myself to try a new project and new approach to directing and producing. I want to always improve as a company owner, as a producer, as a director and as a writer. I want to always find a new way to become an efficient filmmaker in the independent film industry. I love amplifying work environments that manifest the best out of people from their stories, to the crew to the locking picture. I love the day in and day out of being a filmmaker.
What is your favorite project(s) to date? Or what are you currently working on?
My favorite two projects are the children's medical book dedicated to my mom. This is the company's first book to represent Afro Latina women/girls in medicine. The book is being animated by a black animator based in Atlanta, JeQuavius "Kuhway" Pope. I hope this book inspires young doctors to start their passion for medicine early on. I am currently working on a short film script with MoorethanEnuff Media Inc. I am excited to make my narrative directorial debut with this project. I am grateful for these two partnerships and looking forward to working with our most consistent client Elite Music Media Entertainment Group who continues to book our crew to capture their live music performances. It has been a wonderful start to 2024. We are excited for what's next!
How can others support you in your career?
If they can follow us on all our social media. Dm us of your film, photo, live entertainment or script ideas. Send us projects that you need to crew up for and we will help you crew up. Send us your flyers for links to your project so we can direct our community to support your work. College students/Recent Grads send us your reels,resumes,cv's so you can join our crew up pipeline and mentorship program so we can help you break into the industry. Sign up to be a part of our mentorship workshops and crew up workshops so we can meet you one on one. Share our company with your actors, friends,local businesses, musicians etc. Repost any content we share and tag us!
How can people get in touch with you?
True Tone Collective on Instagram
Ashanti.sharrieff_henderson on Instagram
Via email at truetonecollective@gmail.com
Ashanti is seen with Kyra and Brittany at the Gotham Week Film Lab.