By K.B. Tindal
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Friends and family are truly blessings from up above, but every blessing comes with a slight burden. Unfortunately, when a person aims for greatness, they find their biggest opposition being friends and family. But, for tough-skinned people like Tyler Maddox Simms, that only serves as inspiration.
Tyler Maddox Simms has become one of the biggest forces in Hollywood with the films she has pinned. Determination landed her the distribution deals that led to her films becoming the successes they are. Over the years, she has had the chance to work with the original Destiny’s Child and Vivica A. Fox, among many more.
A few weeks ago, Tyler Maddox Simms took some time out to speak to yours truly on behalf of Hip Hop Vibe. This fall, Tyler Maddox Simms dropped some films that would make for some nice stocking stuffers in The Power of Love and A Christmas Wedding. She spoke on those films and her work with Vivica A. Fox, along with much more.
Read the entire interview below:
When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer, producer and director in such a male-driven industry? At 18, I boarded a Greyhound bus with a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. A native of Euclid, Ohio – a suburb of Cleveland – I had dreams of heading West to pursue career in show business.
Fortunately, I had an aunt who lived in Long Beach, and she welcomed me with open arms. Of course, there were naysayers! Some thought a life in show business as an impractical choice for a young, black girl out of the projects.
My mother encouraged me to attend beauty school since she had taken up vocational studies in cosmetology in high school. But, I had other ideas.
What was one of the toughest obstacles you had to overcome prior to becoming a successful filmmaker? Just trying to survive, and dealing with the day-to-day rigors of life while trying to pursue a dream. When a person decides to live a more creative lifestyle and pursue the arts and entertainment as a career, it’s a real balancing act until you can become financially stable and secure in your chosen craft.
You’ve worked with some of the most widely-recognized African American actors and actresses, such as Terrence Howard and Vivica A. Fox, how did these relationships come about? In working with veteran actors like Vivica A. Fox or Miguel Nunez, I don’t go through the normal channels of a talent agent or manager. A lot of times, I’m able to meet talent one-on-one, and present my independent projects for their consideration.
Still, I also enjoy discovering new talent. For example, in my debut film, Beverly Hood, it features the original members of the Grammy-winning R & B girl group Destiny’s Child. At the time of production, the Houston group – with Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett — was an up-and-coming girls group in the music industry. But within a year, the girls dropped the breakthrough album of The Writings’s on the Wall, featuring the smash hit singles, “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name.”
It made Destiny’s Child famous overnight, and bolstered the sales of Beverly Hood, while putting a spotlight on my work. I’m not claiming I discovered Destiny’s Child, but I do know talent when I see it. It’s all about the X factor, and those girls had it!
Wood Harris, who starred in HBO’s “The Wire,” which appealed to a huge hip hop fan base, is in your latest project. Do you have any plans to work with any other hip hop artists who are practicing the craft of acting as well or are you planning a script that may be based around the culture hip hop? No, not at this time, although I would love to work with hip hop artist-turned-actor, Mos Def. I think he’s extremely talented. Still, I recognize what hip hop artists are bringing to the table when they cross over to do television and film. They have name recognition and a fan base, which can elevate a project to a new demographic. I think Mos Def’s work in Something the Lord Made and “Dexter” did that.
What was the hardest thing you had to prove to secure your distribution deal? I had to convince the powers that be that my films would sell! After all, it’s a numbers game. I had to prove my track record of making films, and being able to sell them to the public.
In your own words tell us about your latest project The Power of Love and why you chose to write this film? Power of Love was a fun project to work on. The film is about a vivacious author PJ Payton, played by Vivica A. Fox, who is dispensing relationship advice on the radio while promoting her book, Power of Love. But as we soon find out, the needs a little help in the love department herself!
Where does your inspiration come from when you are in the process of writing a new film? Oh, it’s so random. The ideas just come. I don’t force it.
You started this grind to success at the age of 18, so what has been the most amazing thing about your journey up until now? Realizing my dreams of working in the entertainment industry!
What advice would you give to other young women that want to follow in your footsteps? Be persistent, and don’t take no for an answer. Don’t let your gender get in the way of you wanting something and pursuing it.
Are you currently seeking new actors, writers, producers etc. for any of your future projects, and if so; how would those individuals submit material to you or your team for consideration? Currently, I’m not holding any open (casting) calls for any of my projects. Since I write most of my material, I usually have in mind who I want to play certain characters during the creative process, and I work with a great team to secure the cast that I want. I have a specific formula that works for me.
What’s the next project that we can expect from Tyler Maddox Sims? Well, I love weddings and the holidays; so, I decided to combine the two special occasions for a stage play on film called, A Christmas Wedding. It’s funny because ,depending on the family dynamics, weddings and holidays are stressful times, and can bring out the worst in people. Not to mention, unnecessary family drama. So, I explore the family drama of one bride as she tries to plan her wedding. I was excited to re-team Vivica A. Fox and Miguel Nunez Jr., who first appeared in the movie Juwanna Mann in 1999.
If you could give us one jewel of a knowledgeable lesson that you learned or that someone instilled in you, what would that jewel be and where did it originate from? My grandmother gave me the best advice, which was “Never give up!” It has served me well.
How can our readers find and support you via social networks? Oh, I’m easy to find. On Twitter, my personal handle is @TylerMaddoxFilms and the company handle is @MaddoxFilms. The website is http://www.maddoxentertainment.biz/.
