Behind the Lens: Donuts and Directing with Huriyyah Muhammad

Explicit content warning

09/18/24 • 58 min

In this episode of the She+ Geeks Out podcast, we welcome guest Huriyyah Muhammad, a writer, director, and producer, to discuss her journey in the film industry, the role of lifting up others in creative work, and her latest project 'Chocolate with Sprinkles'. Huriyyah also shares insights on breaking into directing, the impact of representation in Hollywood, and co-founding the Black TV and Film Collective. Before the interview, Felicia and Rachel discuss the importance of setting workplace boundaries and acknowledging how challenging it can be to maintain professional and personal well-being.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to She Geeks Out Podcast

00:26 Discussing Workplace Boundaries

01:59 Navigating Authenticity and Boundaries at Work

05:21 The Impact of Values in the Workplace

08:45 Introducing Huriyyah Muhammad

10:06 Huriyyah's Journey into Film

21:13 Chocolate with Sprinkles: A Personal Story

25:48 Exploring Magical Realism in Film

28:26 Introduction to the Black TV and Film Collective

30:09 Challenges and Growth of the Collective

31:40 Industry Shifts and Representation

34:49 Media Literacy and Misinformation

39:38 Directing Ramadan America

43:18 Breaking into Directing

50:23 Personal Reflections and Parenthood

56:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to She Geeks Out Podcast

00:26 Discussing Workplace Boundaries

01:59 Navigating Authenticity and Boundaries at Work

05:21 The Impact of Values in the Workplace

08:45 Introducing Huriyyah Muhammad

10:06 Huriyyah's Journey into Film

21:13 Chocolate with Sprinkles: A Personal Story

25:48 Exploring Magical Realism in Film

28:26 Introduction to the Black TV and Film Collective

30:09 Challenges and Growth of the Collective

31:40 Industry Shifts and Representation

34:49 Media Literacy and Misinformation

39:38 Directing Ramadan America

43:18 Breaking into Directing

50:23 Personal Reflections and Parenthood

56:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links:

Previous Episode

Behind the Lens: Sara Seligman on Amplifying Voices in Film

In this episode of the She+ Geeks Out podcast presented by Inclusion Geeks, we interview Sara Seligman, a writer, producer, and director whose work includes the film "Ramadan America" and the feature "Coyote Lake." Sara shares her journey from training as a ballet dancer in Mexico to becoming an actress in telenovelas to transitioning into directing and producing films. She discusses the challenges of breaking into the industry as a Latina and the complexities of different directing and producing roles in film and television. Sara also touches on the significance and controversies of the term 'Latinx,' and the importance of diverse representation in the media.

We also discuss our journey from "She Geeks Out" to "Inclusion Geeks," explaining how our name change better reflects our dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. Join us as we discuss our evolution from "Boston Girl Geek Dinners" to our current mission, highlighting our broader focus beyond gender to include race, ethnicity, social class, disability, and more.

Links we discussed:

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and Podcast Rebranding

(00:53) The Evolution of Our Name

(03:40) Why 'Inclusion Geeks'?

(06:34) Celebrating Birthdays and Switching Topics

(08:13) Interview with Sarah Seligman

(09:37) Sarah's Villain Origin Story

(18:05) Moving to LA and Producing Films

(27:16) Role of a Line Producer

(28:46) Balancing Director and Producer Responsibilities

(32:55) Breaking into Directing

(33:42) Challenges in Different Directing Fields

(37:50) Commercials vs. Narrative Directing

(45:38) Leadership and Management in Film

(52:28) Representation and Identity in Film

(01:01:40) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Next Episode

Science-Backed Wellness and Longevity with Rachele Pojednic

In this episode of the She+ Geeks Out podcast, hosts Rachel and Felicia welcome return guest Rachele Pojednic, an expert in nutrition and wellness. Rachele discusses her career trajectory, from teaching at Simmons University to her current roles at Restore Hyper Wellness and Stanford University's Center on Longevity. We talk about complementary therapies such as cryotherapy, the importance of consistent healthy habits, and the role of social connections in health. Rachele also addresses public health misconceptions, the challenges of scientific research, and the influence of popular science communicators like Andrew Huberman and Joe Rogan. We also explore the complexity of balancing between scientific integrity and public dissemination of health information.

Links: