Meet Ro’shae Moore | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ro’shae Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ro’shae, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This is my favorite quote EVER, and it means everything to me! This quote grants me sanity knowing that whatever happens in my life God intends for it to be good regardless. God has a way of turning our darkest moments into our brightest days. He is in total control and the author of my life. I find peace in knowing that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Filmmaker. Being a Woman, a Black Woman in this industry makes me feel empowered! Seeing figures like Ava DuVernay and Issa Rae give me hope that I can reach that level one day. Growing up, I never really heard of alot about Black Women filmmakers and now we’re taking over and changing the game! I feel like people get use to seeing Women always in front of the camera. So when I show up to set to direct or run camera, I feel like it’s a new sense of respect.
I’m very versatile on set. I write, produce, direct, act, location manage, 1st assist camera, script supervise, run sound, gaff, production assist and I also edit. My mentor encouraged me to be well rounded in the industry and learn as much as I can. This also sets me apart from others because I don’t box myself in nor limit myself to just one position. Often times we try to take the easy route and hire people to do this and that, when we can just simply learn to do it ourselves. This way I feel, gives you a new found respect for the craft. I love showing up to set and I hear, “Oh well, we have someone to run sound.” Then I just simply reply, “Okay, we’ll I’ll 1st AC.” I will definitely get in where I fit in!
When I wrote my first short film, I wanted to have control on how it looked, what the dialogue was, and I wanted MY vision to be executed in a certain way therefore, I produced, wrote, directed and edited it myself. Who’s better at getting your point across, than you?! And of course, I had an amazing team backing me!

I’m still fairly new in the Industry. This year makes my 2nd year in professionally. I have a degree in Mass Communications from Sam Houston State University, so this was up my alley. However, growing up, I loved sports—especially basketball. My dream job was to work for ESPN as a Sports Analyst. My brother and I had dreams of becoming a brother-sister duo like Cheryl and Reggie Miller. He would be playing professional basketball and I would be on ESPN interviewing at his games. My freshman of college my brother went to Prison… shortly after, my passion for sports died… it was “Our Thing”. I never saw myself working a “Traditional Job”. “I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to work in environment where I could be myself, have fun, create, and entertain. I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment field! After taking a cinematography and scriptwriting class in college, that’s when I realized, I was interested in film. It was so cool seeing how stories were brought to life behind the scenes and visually. It’s “your” story and you have the power to tell it how you want. I graduated with a BA in Mass Communication Broadcast Journalism from Sam Houston State in 2014. I moved to Houston after graduating and quickly entered the workforce. Unfortunately, pursuing my dreams were put on hold. There I was, in Houston with no family, and sleeping on a friend’s couch. I found myself working countless, dead-end job and living paycheck to paycheck. I started to feel stuck. I felt like I would never get a chance to work in my career field and pursue my dreams. I would cry to numerous family members expressing my frustration with my life.. I wasn’t happy at all. One day I remember heading to work and something said to me, “Move to Dallas”. It was so weird and random. “Dallas??” but I had a few family members in Dallas, who I wanted to reconnect with, so I was like why not?”.

With that being said, I moved to Dallas in 2016. At this time in my life, church was a major part of my life. So I found a church in Dallas. I chose Friendship-West Baptist Church. I joined as a volunteer with the Media Ministry. I wanted to get my feet back wet. Here, I met award-winning Director Vernon “Snoop” Robinson, who went on to become my mentor. As, I was volunteering one day, Snoop approached me and mentioned that he had heard I have a degree in Mass Communication and asked why I wasn’t pursuing it. My response was, “I don’t know”. At the time, I was working two jobs, so in my mind, I didn’t have time for it and couldn’t make anything happen. In 2018, I lost both my jobs. During this time, Snoop became my Mentor and encouraged me to pursue my dreams in the entertainment industry. He gave me the opportunity to work on my First Film “Black Diamond”, and from there, I knew this is where I belonged. I remember on the first day, driving to set and being so scared and nervous because I felt like it had been such a long time since I had done anything production related. I questioned my abilities and talent. When I arrived on set, the team was so welcoming, answered any questions I had, showed me the ropes and encouraged me. I remember holding the script in my hand and just constantly smiling. It was the first time I had seen a script since college. Working on that film brought opportunities for other films, stage plays, commercials, and music videos.
I even got a new job! After volunteering in the Media Ministry at my church for 3 years, then working there part time, I begin working there Full Time as an Audio Video Technician in February 2020, in which i’m still there currently. Working there helped perfect my craft because I have the ability to be in a production environment all the time. The church services run like a Live TV Broadcast which streams service to multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and LiveStream. I really have the best of both worlds. Television and Film.

In 2020, I produced MY first project. “A Girl Like I”. I’m currently working on MY first feature film as we speak.
I am most proud of myself and I’m super excited about my future. I’m constantly getting these amazing opportunities from people who want to work with me because someone I previously worked with referred me. To know people value my work ethic and my abilities that much, is truly flattering. I appreciate every single opportunity big or small. I use to tell my mentor, “I don’t care if I’m sweeping the floor on set, I just want to be in the atmosphere!”

The journey hasn’t been easy. I’m human. I don’t always wake up feeling motivated, creative and inspired and being in this industry, I almost feel like you have to. People are always putting out new content and material and you have to try to keep up. You go so long and not put out a project, people start to wonder, “Where is so and so? “Have they fallen off”? I’m learning to work at my own pace and not focus on what others think. I rather put out good content that I’m confident about rather than rushed, unfinished, unpolished material.

I’ve learned, “You’re not always everyone’s cup of tea”. Some people may love what you produce and write and some will hate it. But it will always reach who it’s intended to reach. You have to have confidence in yourself and your work. Being in the Industry you also have to have patience because nothing happens overnight. And most importantly, you have to put in the work and the hours. You can’t expect things to be handed to you, you gotta earn it. It took me six years to even crack the surface and begin to pursue my dreams, so I just want to encourage everyone to keep going!!

I just want to create and tell stories that many people may not be comfortable talking about. I’m trying to pursue my dream and I’m also here to help carry out the visions of others!

I feel proud calling myself a, “Filmmaker!”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was coming to visit of course I would want to show them the best time ever! My friends and I are foodies and love to eat! We would hit up, “Jonathon’s” which is a very popular brunch spot in Oak Cliff. Now, its super busy, but rightfully so! The chicken and waffles are to die for!!! “Legacy Hall”, in Frisco is also another great spot. There are over 20 different restaurants in one spot! You can listen to music, have drinks on the roof top and watch sports all at one place. They also have shopping across the street.

Now for fun and adventure, we would definitely go to “Six Flags! I love amusements parks and I’m always game for fun and thrills! We would also go to “Andretti’s” which has indoor Go Karts and an arcade. Tons of fun!! Depending on the time of the visit, we would attend the State Fair!

Deep Ellum, is also my go-to spot. Rather its daytime or night, It’s always something to do! We would enjoy a comedy show, eat at a great restaurant, then we would barhop, enjoy great drinks, dance all night, and just paint the town red!

For a more relaxed day, we would go to Klyde Warren Park. Yoga, trail walks, the whole nine. They also have food trucks so we would grab a bite to eat then check out the Dallas Arts Museum across the street.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my other half, Jeffrey Irokwe. He motivates me, inspires me, and pushes me to be my best. He’s been in this industry for quite some time so I’m always looking to him for advice. Jeffrey is a cinematographer, director, and producer here in Dallas. He has worked behind the scenes, directing commercials, short films, etc. with a 3rd party company in Los Angeles. This eventually led him and his older brother Jesse Irokwe, to start their own Production company Collection of Visuals or “COV” for short. Jesse is also an artist, audio engineer and composure.

They have built and grew a company that caters to indie creatives and professionals. In 2019, they started a non-profit organization, “The Irokwe Foundation,” that provides opportunities to young creatives. They’re on track to giveaway three scholarships this year to young creatives striving to succeed in the field of arts. Their vision is, “To collectively build and empower the minds of many”.

Instagram: MooreOfShae

Facebook: Ro’Shae Moore

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Freddie Watkins