Features

Perspective: Monique RedHeadDread Woods

Monique RedHeadDread Woods
Producer
Kraze Access Media/Khaotic Films/Pictures Inc.
Atlanta GA

Job History
Toys R' Us cashier...gosh, I feel like it was so long ago...
McDonald's cashier
Knife salesman (don't laugh)
Lingerie sales (can't remember name of the department store)
Movie Theatre concessions
CBS Page
ESPN/Classic Sports Network PA
Team Event Coordinator (AIDS Walk NY & LA)
Production Assistant (various music videos & tv shows)
Associate Producer (various corporate videos, tv programs)
Freelance Editor
Shooter (Mini-DV)
Producer

What are you currently working on? Your day-to-day responsibilities?

Currently I am working on several projects, I produce segments for All Access DVD Magazine. That project entails me arranging video and photo shoots with various hip hop artists, celebrities and athletes. I compose questions, hire the photographer to shoot stills, shoot the interviews on location and edit the final piece for the DVD. Or sometimes I just handle the shooting and send the footage to another editor in NY.

My production company, Khaotic Films/Pictures, Inc., shoots commercials, EPK's and DVD's for a lot of Southern artists as well as behind the scenes footage at video shoots and concerts here in the Atlanta area.

I just completed shooting on a commercial featuring Bone Crusher and will supervise the post.

What inspires/motivates you?

God inspires and motivates me. I love that I can dream something in my mind and create it in reality for others to see. My family and friends motivate me because I want to make them proud. The creativity I see in other people is always a great source of inspiration.

What are your biggest challenges or the downsides of what you do?

When I'm working on a job, many people tend to skimp on or even overlook the post-production budget so they've spent all this money to shoot and have hardly anything left to pay the editor but still want an incredible job with tons of graphics and effects. It sometimes seems as if they think I get handed the tapes, blink my eyes and Bam! there it is. The best has to be when they hand me subpar footage but expect a Hype Williams type video.

On shooting behind the scenes--sometimes, when you work with celebrities, they almost feel as if you are working for the privilege of being around them as opposed to the pay so I get to travel and be around notable figures, but the pay isn't always great.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I have no personal life... Nah, I'm just kidding, but it is hard to have one because a lot of guys (outside the industry) feel intimidated by the company I keep or the hours I keep.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

When I worked at ESPN Classic, I was producer for This Day in Classic Sports and I researched, wrote and supervised the edit for 365 one minute spots on great moments in sports history. It was the first thing I produced for air and because of that, I knew more useless sports trivia than all of my girlfriends combined.
Co-writing a screenplay that made it to the second round in "Project Greenlight."
Producing the DVD for Pastor Troy's Riding Big album on Universal Records.

What was your biggest personal/career mistake and what did you learn from the experience?

My biggest mistake was probably leaving ESPN. I felt like I was being passed over for the good assignments because I didn't go to a Big Ten School and I didn't fit into the old boy network (not white, not male) so I grew more and more miserable in my job until I finally quit. I would have to say now, that although I have moved on and found something that I love, I could have been stronger in that situation. Instead of griping about getting shitty assignments, I could have done the best job possible and shown them that I could handle whatever was thrown at me.

After quitting, I felt relief but anyone who knows me, knows that was my dream job. From that experience, I've learned to develop a thicker skin, to stop being so sensitive to other people's comments and to really go after and take what I want.

Was there ever a time where you thought you might not succeed in what you're doing or if this was the right thing to do with your life? Please explain.

It's more of a hustle not having corporate backing, not having the security of a weekly check. A lot of times, teaching seemed the way to go. The risk of living my dream has paid off though because a lot of people know me, they know my work and they call.

Guiding principles?

I keep God first and trust in that Higher Power that I am exactly where I am meant to be. I live in joyous expectancy of the best and my aim in life is to give wonderful service.

Birthday? Where you grew up? Where you went to school?

I am a Scorpio, born on November 3 (nevermind what year). I grew up in Queens NY (Go Hollis!) and Edison NJ. I attended the greatest Historically Black University in the world, Howard University. (Go HU!)

For more info, check out Thedvdmagazine.com and Shannonmcc.com

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