Issa Rae: The DIY Media Mogul
Issa Rae: The DIY Media Mogul
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to create a successful career in the media industry, look no further than Issa Rae. The actress, writer and producer is best known for her hit HBO series Insecure, but she started her career with a web series called Awkward Black Girl that she created and produced herself. Her success story is proof that creativity, hard work and persistence can pay off in the media industry.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Issa Rae’s journey and explore some of the lessons we can learn from her experience.
Early Career
Issa Rae was born in Los Angeles in 1985 to parents who were both doctors. She grew up in Potomac, Maryland and attended Stanford University where she majored in African American Studies. It was during her time at Stanford that she developed an interest in film-making and began creating short films.
After college, Issa moved back to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actress. She struggled to find work initially but got some small roles on TV shows like My Mad Fat Diary and True Blood. However, it wasn’t until she created her own show that things really took off for her.
Awkward Black Girl
In 2011, Issa Rae created Awkward Black Girl – a web series about “an awkward girl named J” who struggles with social anxiety. The show quickly gained a cult following thanks to its relatable characters and witty writing.
What made Awkward Black Girl unique was that it was completely self-produced by Issa Rae – from writing the scripts to casting actors to editing the episodes herself using Final Cut Pro software. She shot most of the episodes on weekends while working full-time as an assistant at a non-profit organization.
The success of Awkward Black Girl caught the attention of Pharrell Williams who offered to produce new episodes through his media company i am OTHER. The show went on to win a Shorty Award for Best Web Show in 2012.
Insecure
Following the success of Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae was approached by HBO to create a new series. Insecure premiered in 2016 and quickly became a hit with audiences and critics alike. The show follows the lives of two best friends – Issa Dee (played by Rae) and Molly Carter (played by Yvonne Orji) – as they navigate love, work and friendships in Los Angeles.
Once again, Issa Rae was heavily involved in creating Insecure – serving as co-creator, executive producer and lead actress. She also directed several episodes throughout the show’s run.
What sets Insecure apart from other shows is its honest portrayal of black women’s experiences in America. The show addresses issues like microaggressions, dating struggles and workplace discrimination that are rarely explored on TV.
Other Projects
Issa Rae has also been involved in several other projects outside of her own shows. She produced the documentary This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2019. She has also acted in movies like Little (2019), The Photograph (2020) and Lovebirds (2020).
One of her most recent projects is an initiative called “Raedio” which she launched with music industry veteran Benoni Tagoe. Raedio is a record label that focuses on promoting independent artists who are often overlooked by major labels. Through Raedio, Issa Rae hopes to give these artists more opportunities to be heard and recognized.
Lessons We Can Learn
So what can we learn from Issa Rae’s career? Here are some key takeaways:
1. DIY Spirit: One thing that stands out about Issa Rae is her willingness to do things herself rather than wait for someone else to come along and help her. Her success with Awkward Black Girl is a testament to the power of self-production.
2. Authenticity: Issa Rae’s shows succeed because they feel authentic and genuine. She draws on her own experiences as a black woman to create stories that resonate with audiences.
3. Persistence: Issa Rae didn’t achieve overnight success – she worked hard for years before finally breaking through with Awkward Black Girl. Her persistence paid off in the end.
4. Creativity: Issa Rae’s shows are creative, funny and unique – they stand out from other TV shows because of their originality.
5. Representation: Finally, one of the most important things we can learn from Issa Rae is the importance of representation in media. By telling stories about underrepresented groups, she has created a platform for voices that are often ignored by mainstream media.
Conclusion
Issa Rae’s career is an inspiration to anyone looking to make it in the media industry. From her early days creating web series on a shoestring budget to her current work producing movies and launching record labels, she has shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
By staying true to herself and telling stories that matter, Issa Rae has become one of the most influential figures in modern blacksmithing today – proving once again that diverse perspectives should always be celebrated both on-screen and off-screen!