The Hue You Know Podcast: Lessons For The Culture

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with twin powerhouses JaSheika and JaNeika James. These television writers and producers talk about how you should “never operate from the place of the level that you’re at.” They give a wealth of information as they talk about each step of rising through the ranks in a writer's room, writing on shows like 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Dexter' to being Supervising Producers on 'Empire' and Co-Executive Producers on HBO Max’s 'Gossip Girl'. They also share the process of how they construct the pitches for their various projects as well as their book "Living Double: How Identical Twins Unlocked the Door to Success in Hollywood". Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with branded Executive Producer Sherilyn Baptiste about how she deals with burnout, her strategy to move into a C-Suite position and the benefit of being freelance vs. having a staff job. Bonus: Sherilyn gives the inside scoop on industry rates in branded production. Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with Debbie Douglas, a Talent Acquisition professional with over 20 years in media & entertainment. Debbie, currently Director, Recruiting Talent Acquisition at Paramount, explains how her background in social work prepared her on how to identify good talent, why we should be careful about what we’re posting on social media and what employers in the industry are looking for. Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer/Editor@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with actor and producer Julito McCullum about how he got started in acting at a young age, the joys of working with Black directors like Spike Lee and Neema Barnette, and shares his advice to young actors on how to succeed and why artists should focus more on impact. Julito also discusses stepping into producing and his love for the Knicks.Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with award winning creative and business pair Kurt Williamson and Warren Oliver, of Holland West Productions. Their company specializes in commercials, branded campaigns, social awareness spots and a vast array of content. Kurt & Warren talk about their search for Black talent across the country, how they got started and the challenges of running a full service production company. Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer/Editor@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

On this episode, host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with Director of Post Production, Stina Hamlin. Stina started her career over 25 years ago and has worked in many positions in the industry.  She shares creative ways to start a career in post production, why cold calling still works and what motivated her to start focusing on supporting projects that amplify Indigenous voices, in front of and behind the camera.Episode CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

Host Shirley Vernae Williams talks with Insecure executive producer, Amy Aniobi. Amy was previously showrunner, head writer and executive producer of HBO’s 2 Dope Queens and has set up two feature films at Universal and recently directed a short film 'Honeymoon'. In 2021 she launched her own production company "SuperSpecial" and produces a podcast that she co-hosts called Antidote. On this episode Amy talks about how she deals with the pressure of writing on an iconic show, what her self care routine looks like, her overall deal with HBO and addresses some industry myths. Episode 5 CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon

This episode’s guest is Marissa Crespo, an entertainment and business law attorney, author, and entrepreneur. As the principal of Crespo Law Office, P.C., she represents entertainment content creators, multi-national publicly traded companies, private corporations, and media conglomerates in complex commercial deals and entertainment transactions. Marissa Crespo breaks down the basics of copyrights, shopping agreements, option agreements, life rights and ways to retain your IP as a creative. Also covered are the biggest mistakes she sees creatives make.Episode 4 CreditsShirley Vernae WilliamsHost/Showrunner@ShirleyVernaeTre SimmsAssociate Producer@drowningthoughtmediaDankwa BrooksWriter@NotherBrotherDeven LadsonEditor@Deven.AlanMusic Provided By@iambrandonjhon