An African graduate moves to Los Angeles to discover herself; what she discovers is that life in LA isn't quite what she'd expected.

Interview with Writer/Director/Editor/Actor Céline Tshika

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I've always wanted to tell stories, in some way. I am passionate about comedy as an effective way to deliver important messages. I wanted to give people who look like me, speak like me and/or grew up like me an opportunity to see themselves on screen.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You will learn about someone else's experience, probably relate to being an outsider in some way and have a good laugh!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Personally, I'm someone who was born in one country and raised in another, so it's always been difficult to answer the "where are you from?" question. Universally, encountering ignorance from people in the Western world is something many can relate to. Also, certain characters are people we encounter everyday – the overcompensatingly-macho guy, the liberal hippie-girl. I mix the two in a way that most people can see themselves at some point in the episodes.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I added more characters in the classroom (pilot episode). I wanted more people whose lives I can explore throughout the series. I also put in some truly goofy episodes or moments that are more universal, just to show that minorities sometimes experience things that any person could, and allowed myself to discuss something other than the issues of being African that we're expected to put out all the time. I've been more courageous in exploring issues of sexual shaming in African culture, and many other cultures, really (episode 4) and I've definitely grown and learn more about screenwriting in general.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I've had a lot of people from African countries being surprised, asking if people in America are really that ignorant about Africa. I've also had the expected – Africans who want me to be "more African" (which is actually a theme I want to explore later) in order to represent ALL Africans, which is crazy pressure to put on one person. Besides that, people who know me really appreciate that my sense of humor is coming through, and those who don't also appreciate that something they've actually experienced is being put out there.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Definitely challenged it. I've had to think about how I'm marketing myself. How "African" do I want to claim myself to be? Am I going for an exclusively African experience or am I willing to allow myself to be more universal? It was not at all a surprise, but it was good to make me stand firm in what I'm doing, and not force myself to try please everyone. The point is: someone from their neck of the woods is telling her story – most people appreciate that alone.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I am hoping for more people who relate to the show to follow. The bigger audience it has, the more chance I have of taking it further and developing a 30-minute sitcom, which is how this idea started.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I would really like some producers/investors. There are a lot of episode ideas I can't pursue with a budget this small. It does force me to be creative in its own way, but it would be wonderful to not only realize those ideas, but compensate my team in the way they deserve. I'd also love for journalists to write about the show. It would be great for someone to put a spotlight on a storyteller from South Africa/Congo.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd like for African consumers of content to feel represented, and feel excited about someone from their side of the world being given a voice. I'd like for people from the western world to see themselves in some characters and be challenged about what they actually know or assume about Africa. I'm passionate about rebuilding Africa after colonialism, and I think the first step is raising awareness of the actual impacts until this day. Even though I'll make light of it, it still gets the message across, and hopefully people will be willing to do some research and get on board making the world a better place.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is there a single African/black identity? How much room do we give the underrepresented to be individuals?

Would you like to add anything else?

I really just want to make people laugh and someone have that make a difference in the world.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

The director of photography for the 4th episode (Brahmma Putra-Wijaya) is working on his thesis film set in Indonesia, and I'm very much looking forward to that.

Interview: February 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Jess Goes West

An African graduate moves to Los Angeles to discover herself; what she discovers is that life in LA isn't quite what she'd expected.

Director: Angelica Rodriguez

Producer: Julia van Geldern

Writer: Céline Tshika

About the writer, director and producer:

ANGELICA RODRIGUEZ is a Director of Photography, director and photographer from Los Angeles. She is always on board to put more women's stories and voices out in the world.

CÉLINE TSHIKA, born in Congo, raised in South Africa, is an Engineering graduate who left the safety net of a conventional career to pursue the arts. She writes, sings, acts, dances and is also a blogger on lifestyle/self-care blog Feminine Boutique. She aspires to bring social issues such as feminism, race and sexuality to the fore through comedy.

JULIA VAN GELDERN holds a great deal of passion towards the arts. It is through expression and story-telling, that the basis of her career pursuits as a filmmaker and livelihood were formed. Through artistic interpretation, she aims to unveil and explore the core of the human existence, whether it be from story-telling, from behind the camera or being in front of it.

Key cast: Céline Tshika (Jess), Sunny Amara (Yani), Julia Nejman (Christina), Daniel O'Brian Connor (Chase), Roman Guastaferro (Cris), Will Toussaint (Prof. Williams), Brenda Serrano (Andi), Sinead Lewis (Jenny), Emma Jackson (Gina), Rae-Lon Bolton (Fran), Dennis Mailu (Amani), Terrell Dean (Habib)

Looking for: producers, distributors, journalists, buyers

Facebook: Jess Goes West

Twitter: @jessgoeswest_

Instagram: @jessgoeswestseries

Website: http://jessgoeswest.com

Other: YouTube

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? On their YouTube channel.