Brandy Cavalli is a screenplay writer that is quickly gaining notoriety in the independent film world.
She is sought after to work on various underground projects and she was recently chosen to become a member of the prestigious
In addition to leading her own marketing company, The Social Mob LLC, Brandy also works on the sets of many media projects.
She is known for her girly looks but kick ass attitude. She credits bad girl screenwriter Mae West as somewhat her muse, and when not writing about the mob, she is (allegedly) married to it.
Below is part 2 of my interview from The Crime Diary Files with indie screenwriter and international marketer, Brandy Cavalli.
I know that you have gained much success as an international marketer. How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I have been exposed to the industry my entire life. My father was a popular college dj and he still works in the industry on an executive level, so I was born into the entertainment industry. I personally took my first job in music at the age of 18 working in the music industry. I still do minor projects and some artist management, mostly with reggae artists.
How long have you been writing?
I have kept a journal since the age of about 8. I used to write everyday as a child, as I got older I realized how easy writing came to me. It wasn’t until the last few years that I decided to use my writing as a talent and not just a hobby.
How did you get into writing films?
Actually kind of by chance, I worked in the music industry for many years and built a large network. After getting bored with music, I went into corporate America for a while but always felt like the entertainment industry was where I belonged. I decided that I would try my hand at television and I had planned to work behind the scenes in production or even advertising.
Writing films came about as I was approached to do a couple of reality shows. I went to LA to meet with an agent and realized that I would much rather be in control of any content pertaining to me. I didn’t like the fact that I would have minimal to no creative control so I decided to go to film school and learn to write/produce my own shows and films.
What genres of film most interest you?
I mostly write crime based material. I do enjoy comedy but so far I have only written crime and “gangster” style movie scripts. I would love to write a movie like Friday, both urban but comedy.
How do your male peers accept you as an up and coming female crime writer?
So far I have gotten a lot of love and support from the guys in the industry. There are very few female writers, especially of crime. I mostly work in the independent sector so I don’t have much competition. I’d say most of the guys are accepting and I’ve been approached by a few different producers to write on upcoming underground projects, which is right up my alley. I don’t plan to hit Hollywood anytime soon, I would like to stay independent and perfect my craft more.
What projects are you currently working on?
I just finished working on the script for a crime based indie film called “Lock and Load”, which is currently in production. I do a lot of work with student films in terms of scripts and production. I am also working on a documentary called “The Last King Of Jamrock” which documents the life of Jamaican crime lord Christopher Coke and co-writing the narrative script for the upcoming movie “The Gangster’s Girl: Last Girl Standing”.
What gives you inspiration as a film writer?
I get my inspiration from actual real life events or stories. I like real life documentary style films. I tend to take an interest in events that are considered sinister or crime based. I really enjoy writing about other people, especially of the underworld. I love to get inside of their world and help paint a picture of their world to the outside world. So I would say my inspiration is actually other people.
I know that you recently started your own film company, Femme Fatale Films, tell me more about that.
Femme Fatale Films is just another extension of my company, The Social Mob, LLC. Femme Fatale is a group of women screenwriters, who like me, prefer to write crime based or real life based scripts. In the future we plan to produce our own documentaries and other media. We are a different breed of screenwriters, mainly because we like to go where no other girls have gone before, we go to the streets.
Why did you choose the name Femme Fatale?
Femme Fatale describes me in a nutshell. I also think of sinister or “devious” when I hear the name Femme Fatale, which are exactly the kinds of movies we write.
Congratulations on your induction into the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. What can we expect?
Thank You! The Women’s Fiction Writers Association is a union of women that write fiction movies and scripts. It’s definitely a different world from what I usually do as most of my upcoming movie scripts are non-fiction, meaning real life based. I am excited to get the chance to work under other women in the industry. Hopefully one day I can write for prime time television (Hollywood). It’s a good opportunity and I am so honored to even be considered a member.
What other plans do you have career wise?
Right now I just want to focus on perfecting my writing skills. I do a lot of freelance writing and I am doing some journalism intern work with an international outreach mission and learning a lot about production. In the future I plan to produce film and videos and other media. My first love is marketing so I plan to write, produce and market my own projects and make all the money. I am always thinking of ways to make all the money, not just some of the money.
Being a crime film writer seems as it would come easy to you based on your alleged ties to the underworld. How does your family and ex feel about your line of work?
As you have stated, it is something that I am familiar with and it comes naturally. My family supports whatever I want to do, as long I am successful. My ex is very supportive of my career and he gives me a lot of inspiration and push. He’s a hustler so he’s good with whatever I decide as long as I am happy and it makes me money. Some day he'll most likely even be a part of some of my things, its inevitable, that is a part of my life.
There were rumors in the indie world that you were looking to write and produce a “Goodfellas” style movie about the Black Mafia Family (BMF) crime organization, is that still a possibility?
Yeah, I would have loved to! 50 Cent is executive producing a film soon. I know it will be a great movie and I would love to work with writers of the project. That would be a dream come true. There is and will never be another organization like BMF so it would seem like a no brainer to make a movie about them. - A real movie, no Hollywood bullshit and I think 50 is the man to do it. Matter of fact, I know he is.
In addition to co-writing on the film, do you plan to share your story on the Gangster Girls documentary?
As of now I am not sure. I prefer to work behind the scenes, so you gotta stay tuned for that, it would be a crazy story. I would probably cry the whole time during filming, Lol. So far they are building a great cast of girls that have compelling stories and I am so excited about working with them. I enjoy helping others paint their picture. We will see if I decide to step in or not, it’s a strong possible though. I might do a few cameos, along with some special guests.
I also read on twitter that you were slated to be a cast member on the reality show, BMF Wives? Is that true?
No. I am not sure how that rumor started but I was not asked to appear on BMF wives. I loved the concept of the project though. I would have loved to work on it from a creative standpoint, but I did not sign on to appear on the show. I am however currently working on something really good with Lisa B of the BMF wives show. Stay TUNED for that. I love myself some Lisa!
What other projects are you working on outside of film writing?
I am writing my first mini series called “From a Socialite to the Mob” which is a memoir style series that documents a young girl’s life from wholesome beginnings to becoming the wife of an alleged mobster. In addition to that, I am working on a comic book series with CV Comics in which I will write the dialogue for a female vixen character. I am also doing some freelance writing for lifestyle and entertainment based magazines, and trying so hard to launch Gangster Girl Radio with Lisa B at the top of the year.
All in all just perfecting my craft and staying busy.
What do you feel is the biggest misconception about female crime writers?
The biggest misconception is that we as women don’t have the experience to write gangster based flicks, which is 100% not true. When you have lived in the underworld it exposes you to a lot and you learn the ropes, the lingo and the way things work in that world. As a writer I feel that I am more qualified then a lot of male writers who have never touched that world. It’s still hard for society to accept a woman talking about guns and violence, but truth is there are some women that are just as vicious as the men. I can probably write a gangster tale with my eyes closed.
Check Out PART 1 of this Interview
Follow Brandy Cavalli (Coke)
Femme Fatale Films
