Chyna Robinson is no stranger to creating and has been writing and directing for some time. A graduate of Texas Christian University for radio, film, &TV production, Chyna wrote and directed plays for 10 yrs. In 2017, she released the award winning film, Greenwood, a short film about a veteran and his family defending their home during the 1921 onslaught of Black wall street and its destruction. In 2019, Chyna wrote and directed the feature film, No Ordinary Love, a romantic thriller that follows the lives of two female protagonists who plot a potentially deadly escape from their manipulative partners.
Blackfilm.com talks with Chyna Robinson about No Ordinary Love, relationships, and survival.
That’s a lot of accomplishments. How does it feel to be a Black woman in the industry?
Chyna: Its difficult for notoriety and finding a significant amount of success. It’s like a double-edged sword. It’s like we’re at the bottom of the food chain so to speak. So when funding goes out in the industry they invest in white males like investing in themselves. So we have to find our own ways, our own funding, and seek our own resources. Or you get a rare occurrence of being approached with funding in hand. As I was with this film, No ordinary Love. There are ways to make it happen. We need to see a shift in the industry and I think its coming. Looking at influences like Ryan Coogler, and Ava DuVernay opportunities are coming. Still, we have to work quite a bit harder to get them.
Moving to No Ordinary Love. What was the driving factor of the creation of the film?
Chyna: It’s about relationships and the complexities in these 2 relationships specifically. Dealing with someone who’s neglecting you, or manipulating you, making you feel crazy, or have someone who loves you, then a switch flips. When you have someone manipulating you, making you feel like you’re crazy, love bombing you, and then they turn around and become something else.
I think I wanted to tell that story authentically. I wanted to kind of go back to the place in relationships when things are really well, and then things weren’t so great – that’s kind of what drove me. It was the story. I fell in love with my characters early on, and I just wanted to tell their story.
Did you have anyone in mind when writing? Was it influenced by someone you know? Or did it start as an idea?
For this particular film, someone approached me and asked if I wanted an opportunity to make a feature film, and I would have full creative control. It would be my movie. When I started the writing, I started writing about relationships. I didn’t have anyone in mind so I wrote from personal experiences. I spoke with a lot of different people in those types of relationships. I did a lot of research and a lot of bios for characters and then the casting process.
What advice would you give to women or men in these relationships?
With these relationships – the games, any type of physical abuse, spiritual abuse, or manipulation using scripture, or anything like that. When you see those signs, know that its abuse, and that it’s abusive. Get out of there before you get deeper, don’t make excuses in those relationships. But I know it’s hard. We get into that in the film. It’s not easy to get away from relationships when you really care about that person. Get someone you can talk to that you really trust, and when you feel like you’ve gotten to the point of not being in a healthy relationship, you need to get out of there!
How was it getting this group together, how was it compiling, and writing everything and making sure your perspective cast were the right people?
Chyna: I was the writer, director, producer, and casting director. I was wearing many hats. But when it started, I was in my creative mode doing research and writing. I was creating this world even though I’m a Black female filmmaker. I love to tell the stories of Black relationships. I wanted this to be a universal story so that it appealed to everybody. I wanted to show that these types of relationships happen across the board there is no color age or a class. I spent a lot of time making sure my characters were real so that way, my white male didn’t sound like a Black female.
So who is the movie for?
Chyna: Absolutely everybody. I wrote with everybody in my mind. It’s very easy for romantic thrillers and drama to appeal more to women so I wrote it to both men and women, and everyone can enjoy the movie.
And the American Black Film Festival, how does the film feel to be recognized by them?
Chyna: Oh, we are ecstatic! Any independent Black filmmaker would be honored to be recognized by ABFF, and you know I am a part of that equation.
The mission this year of ABFF seems to be innovating for new filmmakers, and showing “togetherness”. How do you think that could be done consistently?
Chyna: It is very important that I have a diverse cast. It doesn’t have to be all Black. We just need more diversity. Not just black or white. Which is why we have a little bit of everybody in No Ordinary Love. We wanted to actively reflect the world.
What’s next for you in the film world? After things settle down, what are you seeing in your immediate future?
Chyna: Well, I have been using this quarantine time to do a lot of writing and pre-production. So as soon as it is safe to start filming, I have a couple of stories to work on. I have a faith-based film and a thriller. I would like to move as soon as it is safe to start filming. I would also like to move over into television. So hopefully, I’ll be able to write and direct for TV soon.
Do you have any advice for independent filmmakers that are currently at a standstill with the pandemic, to remain in motion and not become stagnated?
Chyna: I mean that’s pretty much the advice. I know it’s hard. I know that there is more for Black people that we are dealing with. It’s not just COVID, it’s the Black Lives Matter movement. So self-care and take a break . Step away when you need one but also you need to use that time. I know a lot of people were drinking when it first started, self-care is important, take care of yourself. Work, create, and when the world opens back up you have some things to go for since you won’t have to be waiting… you’ll already have something available.
Do you have any advice for women in the industry on how to navigate and be professional?
Chyna: I will say educate yourself because when you do get a chance to step into that room you can’t shrink back into a corner, You need to have your stuff together. You need to be knowledgeable about the industry, about how deals are made, and tax codes so when you get the opportunity, you need to really capitalize on it
What’s your message about making mistakes?
Educate yourself. It’s so easy to pick something up. Do your due diligence so that when you get to film it’s a learning experience and you’re not making a lot of mistakes… but you always make mistakes. I was doing stage for 10 years, and I was still making mistakes. Start your education. There’s a lot of free classes right now so take advantage. At Sundance, the lab is offering free courses. There’s always YouTube, and there are definitely others. Sundance is really good to learn your frames and lenses. Know what you want if you want 35mm or 60.
Is there an affirmation you use that you’d like to share?
Chyna: One of my favorites is from Mira Nair. He says a director has to have the heart of a poet in the skin of an elephant. And, that’s entirely accurate for me. I’m sensitive, but I’m strong, and I think that that makes for a better story
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