Sujata Day is known for her starring role
as CeCe in Issa Rae’s Awkward Black Girl. She's recurred for three seasons on
HBO's Insecure. Sujata is a Sundance Lab fellow and 2019 HBO Visionaries
Ambassador. Her short film, Cowboy and Indian, sold to a major studio for
series development.
Sujata's award-winning debut feature film, Definition
Please, is currently on the virtual film festival circuit.
Tell us more about your background and journey.
I’m from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I did plays and musicals starting in elementary school throughout college. I got my engineering degree and moved to Los Angeles to work for a consulting firm. I took acting classes, got headshots, and found an agent.
I’m from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I did plays and musicals starting in elementary school throughout college. I got my engineering degree and moved to Los Angeles to work for a consulting firm. I took acting classes, got headshots, and found an agent.
I booked three national commercials in a row after getting laid off from my consulting gig. I met Issa Rae on Twitter ten years ago and played her best friend on Awkward Black Girl. I continued to work with Issa on HBO’s Insecure. I’ve been creating my own content, both in film and television.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer and director?
I loved reading as a kid and it naturally led to a love of writing. I wrote poems, short stories, and songs which eventually led to me taking playwriting and screenwriting classes in college.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer and director?
I loved reading as a kid and it naturally led to a love of writing. I wrote poems, short stories, and songs which eventually led to me taking playwriting and screenwriting classes in college.
I started directing my own Naked Hipster Project music videos first before directing my first narrative short film, Cowboy and Indian. Then a few years after Cowboy and Indian, I directed my first feature film, Definition Please. It wasn’t a particular moment when I decided to be a writer and director. It was more of a gradual lifelong process.
Is it a financially stable career?
No, not at all. If you have any desire to do anything else in your life, you should definitely do that other thing. Because this career is not easy and you’re going to face a ton of rejection.
Who is your favourite writer and director, why?
I just finished watching all of Twin Peaks, the TV show and the movies. I love David Lynch’s work because it’s grounded but absurd at the same time. It’s so original and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s wild and surprising and hilarious. Which are all qualities I aspire to in my work.
Where does your inspiration lie?
I’m inspired mostly by my own experiences. For my short film, Cowboy and Indian, I was inspired by my first trip to Joshua Tree. My feature film, Definition Please, was inspired by me winning my 4th-grade spelling bee. It’s important to get out there and experience things out of your comfort zone to wake up your imagination.
What does your typical day look like?
I start by making a pot of chai which lasts the entire day. I answer/write emails. Then I write, research, and read. I’m working on a series format for an original tv show right now, which means I’m brainstorming and dreaming up ideas for my characters.
Is it a financially stable career?
No, not at all. If you have any desire to do anything else in your life, you should definitely do that other thing. Because this career is not easy and you’re going to face a ton of rejection.
Who is your favourite writer and director, why?
I just finished watching all of Twin Peaks, the TV show and the movies. I love David Lynch’s work because it’s grounded but absurd at the same time. It’s so original and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s wild and surprising and hilarious. Which are all qualities I aspire to in my work.
Where does your inspiration lie?
I’m inspired mostly by my own experiences. For my short film, Cowboy and Indian, I was inspired by my first trip to Joshua Tree. My feature film, Definition Please, was inspired by me winning my 4th-grade spelling bee. It’s important to get out there and experience things out of your comfort zone to wake up your imagination.
What does your typical day look like?
I start by making a pot of chai which lasts the entire day. I answer/write emails. Then I write, research, and read. I’m working on a series format for an original tv show right now, which means I’m brainstorming and dreaming up ideas for my characters.
I usually have to jump on one or two zoom meetings or phone meetings. I snack/eat all day and sometimes walk around the neighbourhood at sunset. Then I either read for fun or watch a show or a movie.
What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers and directors?
Keep creating no matter what. This business is all about perseverance and not giving up, even after all the rejections. All it takes is one yes. And that yes could be yourself!
Which is your favourite book and why?
I have a lot of favourite books so this is a toughie. Recently, I read Trust Exercise by Susan Choi and really loved it because of its unconventional structure and storytelling.
Interviewed by - Sathwik Macharla
What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers and directors?
Keep creating no matter what. This business is all about perseverance and not giving up, even after all the rejections. All it takes is one yes. And that yes could be yourself!
Which is your favourite book and why?
I have a lot of favourite books so this is a toughie. Recently, I read Trust Exercise by Susan Choi and really loved it because of its unconventional structure and storytelling.
Interviewed by - Sathwik Macharla
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