You do a project and that’s it. You’re looking for the next job. I’ve always been entrepreneurial in mind and spirit. I remember saying I don’t need to wait on my next job. I can create my next opportunity. I’ve said it enough times that I’ve done a web series, my friends and I started producing our own plays, and we said we would start producing a film. The opportunity presented itself, and it was a baptism by fire [laughing]. It was like Producing 101. Everything that we could learn and be exposed to, and that could go wrong did, and it was successful. It was a great opportunity to learn and stretch my legs, and realize my potential and abilities. We hadn’t even started. We had just tapped the surface, but I needed to realize there are so many opportunities and I’m not just an actor. I can do what I want. Jumping into the producer chair was taking control of my destiny. I’m going to get it done and take it to market. I was tired of being unemployed.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s amazing that you did it, and I’m looking forward to seeing it. In terms of putting it together, how did you do that and make it different than all the other themed movies that centered around stepping?
Stacy Rose: First and foremost, I am a Christian. I try to make my relationship with God govern all that I do. Where the faith-based market is involved, there’s aren’t many options for young people in movies. That was at the heart of choosing the type of project we would do. We decided to make films, and make them faith-based because of the need. It’s different already because they are great stories, in terms of how they look. They have action, drama, and heart You’re learning something, and being challenged. You walk away with something. I walk away from so many movies asking what did I just watch. We inspire to motivate, encourage, and build people up. We feel that we have an interesting perspective. I know many others are doing it, but have not brought it to market in the mainstream sense. We think we’re in a good place.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s a good time for it, and I look forward. My son is ten, and he loves movies like that.
Stacy Rose: Right. It’s our first attempt, and we don’t have a huge budget. but it’s a great place to start. We learned a lot, did a lot with what we had, and the next will be better. We have a script for part 2, and other things also being created. It’s a good first attempt and we will only get better.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s amazing. He will look for all of it. He thinks he’s part of someone’s step team already (laughing).
Stacy Rose: Right (laughing), absolutely
U.G. Digital Mag: Now you’re also doing radio. How did that come about?
Stacy Rose: You know, it’s interesting. It was always in my heart. I didn’t go to school for it. it wasn’t the plan, but it was always a spark, and out of curiosity. I moved here from Jamaica when I was 15, and I remember listening to a Caribbean station and being moved to call. I didn’t know what a Disc Jockey did. I just asked if they were hiring, but it was my first step in that direction. Years later, the Pastor of my church called and said a new company was opening a division close by. He gave them my name and said they would call. I went in for an audition and the rest was history. It’s called the Caribbean Gospel network. It’s faith-based, Gospel music, but Caribbean. So reggae, dancehall, Soca, everything, but it’s Gospel. Being able to hear music with great content and messages was great. It started around the year 2000. I did several shows. I do a show now called Island Praise, which is an internationally syndicated Caribbean Gospel Music show that I’ve done for about 10-12 years. It’s heard in the Caribbean, Africa, in the Pacific, and here in the U.S. It’s more of my calling, rather than my gifting. I think my talent is acting, but this is what God has in place for me to do.
U.G. Digital Mag: I can relate to that. I’ve worked in radio but more behind the scenes. I hadn’t been there in so long, and somehow ended up back in radio doing my own show. It was almost on a whim, and ironically I fell in love with it. Now I’m doing multiple shows, and it’s great connecting with people this way.