By: The Don

For this interview, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Ofori. Rachel is currently a writer, producer, director and even CEO and the owner of the film production company The Audacity Inc. From Philly to Thailand, Rachel has experienced film on an international level. Rachel is also a first-generation daughter of a Jamaican immigrant. Rachel is definitely living and experiencing the American dream. Her most recent accomplishments is in select theaters: What Death Leaves Behind. Interviewing Ms. Ofori was a delight. She is the definition of inspiration and hard work within the industry. Having overcome numerous obstacles, Ms. Ofori has a bright future ahead of her.

Check out her studio’s website: https://www.theaudacityinc.com

INTERVIEW

1) What’s your full name and how long have you been in the film industry?

Rachel K. Ofori and I’ve been off and on for about 13 years.

2) What do you currently do within the film industry?

I identify myself as a producer first, but I am also a writer, casting director, a live events director, and A switchboard technician. I direct, and own a full-service production company–Still producing is my focus.

3) Was film something you wanted to do or did you just end up in it?

Ha! I knew I wanted to be in the business of telling stories at the age of 7–with no connections or real understanding of what that meant. Once I knew that was an option, I knew that was it. That was further solidified–as anything else–by certain actions and encouragements in 8th grade. But it was always stories, it was always about the audience, and finding my place in that world and how I fit into that world is a more complicated situation is a longer story.

4) Did you have anyone who inspired you to go into film or the entertainment business?

Yes and no. Tonya Hatch of Hatching Creativity was first to expose me to an audience in a play she wrote at church. Watching the audience react to things we did in rehearsals fascinated me. I enjoyed it more than anything else– it was the power of stories. But the business itself, no. I decided I wanted in before knowing how or who or what. The inspiration came later. And while many no longer want to talk about the man because of his shameful acts, Harvey Weinstein and Miramax were huge dream initiators for who I wanted to become in the industry. To handpick something and say yes to it, to have the power of yes, to have Disney or whoever wants my team’s business, and have the reputation where and when you saw my company’s name, you knew it would be good–Harvey was that for me.

5) What is the name of your company and where are you located?

The Audacity Inc. has a mailing address just outside of DC where I live, but we are actually Philadelphia through and through. Our entire team is in Philly, editing studio, gear, our castings, everything. It’s a digital and global age so while we filmed our current project ‘What Death Leaves Behind’ in Philadelphia, this year alone we’ve filmed in LA, Thailand, San Diego, Mexico, Detroit, Cleveland, NY, and Connecticut. So we consider ourselves a global brand that has it’s home roots at home in Philadelphia.

6) What made you want to start your own film business?

I’m often approached with phrases like, you can be the next (insert strong black women in the industry here). But really for me, I’m best utilized to help give opportunities, platforms, funding, empowerment to the next TEN (insert strong person in the industry here). With my own company, I’m able and empowered to do so.

7) How many films have you and your studio filmed so far?

‘What Death Leaves Behind’ was our first narrative feature which was to prove we can do it on our own after working so hard on others. We’ve shot 3 shorts, 1 Documentary, have 2 TV shows in development and going into production on our next feature next year.  We partnered with Smash Entertainment for the film, and are also partnered with Philadelphia based Cinescope for future projects.

8) What’s the name of your current film project?

The current film is ‘What Death Leaves Behind.’ It’s a mystery thriller that is sure to keep audiences on their toes. It isn’t at all horror, but definitely suspenseful and eery. Reviewers have compared it to ‘The Sixth Sense.’ I’d say that tone comparison is very accurate. It’s on it’s nationwide theatrical tour now after it’s premiere in LA two weeks ago. We’re excited to be back on the east coast and especially Philly during th month of October. Details and tickets can be found on our site www.whatdeathleavesbehind.com or IG @whatdeathleavesbehind

9) Did you write all of your films yourself? I know you said you have a fine and talented group of filmmakers amongst your film company.

For now, I am back to writing on them as a co-writer. With the phase, we are in it’s better if I’m not the sole writer. As the leader or a leader of a team, it’s important I allow myself to be in a macro headspace as much as possible to see the big picture. If I’m locked away writing alone during a season of large growth and multiple projects back to back, my brain isn’t available to assist and move us forward and adjust as new challenges arise.

10) Do you have a favorite genre you like to stick to or are you more open in changing it up?

For making film, no.  I love movies, and how they can tell a story, teach a lesson, inspire, and make you laugh, cry or think all in a two-hour structure.  All genres can have good movies because they all can affect an audience. So if my goal is to make something good and effective… no genre is off-limits. For watching films— I watch them all except some hardcore supernatural horror.

11) How many awards have you and your studio won so far?

17 awards so far. Some include Best Feature Film (Capital City Black Film Festival), Best Picture (Greater Cleveland Film Festival), Breakthrough Performance: Khalil Mcmillan (DTLA Film Festival), Best Feature Film, Best Actor In A Feature Film: Christopher Mann (Atlantic City Film Festival), Official Selection (Pan African Film Festival) , Best Picture (AAWIC Film Festival – Park City), Best Picture, Trailblazer Award to Rachel herself (AAWIC Film Festival – New York), Official Selection (Noidentity International Film Festival – Spain) and Best Actor – Khalil Mcmillan, Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Mann, Best Score: Tasos Elipoulos (Phila. Independent Films Awards).

12) Do you have any favorite movies/ tv-shows?

I don’t have a favorite movie, but some I can watch over and over are: My Fair Lady, Singing in The Rain, Remember The Titans, Atonement, and Gladiator. I honestly don’t watch TV anymore.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to live a story out over hours and hours. So I watch every movie— AMC Movie Pass makes that a lot easier and cheaper these days. Seinfeld! I’ve seen that people either love or hate it. I love it. And still, think it’s one of the best most nonsense filled shows ever made. Audrey Hepburn once said she’s honored to work in a business that grants a respite from the world. Yes I make and love serious content, but sometimes you just need to laugh at something silly.

13) Where do you see yourself in ten years?

My team at The Audacity is preparing to have a monumental year.  I plan to continue to build on that to the point where within ten years I own my own studio lot and have the capacity to produce multiple movies at a time. By empowering and identifying the right leaders, ready to latch on to the vision, and using the wisdom forged over these foundational years, I know we will achieve that.  “Everything rises and falls on leadership” -John Maxwell.

14) What was the hardest part of your journey so far?

Losing a pregnancy while in preproduction for the film in emergency surgery.  My husband and I were so excited about the baby, I passed out at a check-up and was rushed to the hospital. It was me or the baby and I didn’t have the chance to make the choice as I was unconscious. I went right into casting the film only to be rushed to the hospital twice because of complications from the surgery during production.  One hospital visit in Virginia, I wrote corrections for a scene while they pumped me with morphine to keep me from passing out. I was on set the next morning in Philadelphia filming that scene. The emotional and physical toll it took to keep going and still be the rock for an entire production was hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever done. So again, perseverance IS the key. It’s not just a motto that sounds good.  It’s the KEY. 

15) What is some advice you would like to give others who want to enter the entertainment industry?

It depends on the area they are going into. But either way, I’d say to remember it’s like anything else in life. You need to work hard, work on your people skills and problem-solving skills. Take the initiative and bring more value than what people pay you and you will always have more opportunities.   Don’t get discouraged when things aren’t working— nothing worth having is easy— so perseverance is the key. Practical advice is to read. Study yourself and study books of people that have done more than you and accomplished great things. Even if not film books. Leadership and personal development books have truly helped me far more than any production book in my career; because ultimately this is a people business.