Biography
Emmy Blake is an award-winning director who had two shorts, "The Talk," and "The Last Taboo," exhibiting simultaneously at film festivals. "The Talk" premiered at the Montreal International Black Film Festival and "The Last Taboo" began its festival tour in London at the Rapport Festival. Taboo screened in four countries and was nominated for several awards, resulting in two wins for directing.
Ms. Blake began her career after graduation from Howard University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism as an On-Air Host/Producer at a small regional radio station in Michigan where she grew up. She then moved to television as an Associate Producer for an Ace Award-winning, Detroit, Current Affairs Show.
While in Detroit, Emily earned an M.A. in Communication from Wayne State University and then with no formal film school education, she embarked upon her first feature-length film, "Connie's Place," 16mm, Color, and shot it in 8 days for $7k. The film screened in the Works-in-Progress section of the IFP Market. Shortly after "Connie's Place," she was hired by first-time filmmakers to direct their passion project, Sorry Ain't Enough (SAE). SAE was a massive undertaking that spanned several months and co-starred Rob Morgan (Mudbound, Stranger Things) and Victoria Cartagena (You, Manifest). The film enjoyed a successful North American film festival tour and is currently available on Tubi.
Emmy is currently living on a lake in Michigan where she is completing an MFA at Mount Saint Mary's University and developing her next narrative feature and her first feature-length documentary.
Emily Blake, M.A., MFA
323.632.6724 ▪ emblake702@gmail.com
EDUCATION:
MASS COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE:
MFA earned, Film & TV
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Los Angeles, CA
M.A. earned, Communication
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
B.A. earned, Broadcast Journalism
Howard University
Washington D.C.
SKILLS:
FILM (freelance and self-employed)
1st A.D., Shattered Lenses: Short, Director – Nia Dixon
1st A.D., Running Through Time: Web Series, Director - Paris Corbit
1st A.D., Woman In Red: Short, Director - Fran Casilas
Associate Producer, My Prom Mom: Short, Southside FYI, Chicago, IL
Director, Sorry Ain’t Enough: Feature, DV, Mental Food Productions
Wr/Dir/Prod/Ed, Connie’s Place: Feature, 16mm, Color, DayDreamer
Writer/Director/Producer, The Talk: 8 mins, DayDreamer Prods.
Writer/Director/Prod., The Last Taboo: 12 mins, DayDreamer Prods.
Freelance Screenwriter, Hasta Manana, Adapted for Author, L.A., CA
TV
Final Draft
Final Cut Pro
ProTools
DaVinci Resolve
Abobe Creative Suite
Avid Media Composer
Movie Magic Scheduling
Movie Magic Budgeting
AFFILIATIONS:
Associate Producer, Transition (Public Affairs), Detroit, MI
Production Assistant, America’s Black Forum (Syndicated)
TV Script Coverage Intern, Project 10, Los Angeles, CA
Multi-Camera Director Shadow (Intern) All of Us, L.A., CA
RADIO
On-Air Talent/Producer, Contemporary Christian format, Ypsilanti, MI
On-Air Talent/Producer, Talk, Orlando, FL
University Film & Video Association
Women in Film
Film Fatales
Alliance of Women Directors
Film Independent
New Filmmakers L.A.
BADWest
WOCU
EXHIBITION:
Freelance, Published in the Anacostia Grapevine, Washington D.C.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Lecturer, Kingsborough Community College, BK, NY
Taught Radio Production (Lecture/Lab), Intro to
Broadcasting, and Intro to Mass Communication
Secondary Teacher, LAUSD, Los Angeles, CA
Substitute Teacher, EDUStaff, Washtenaw County, MI
My work has screened at:
Montreal International Black Film Festival,
Gary International Black Film Festival,
Sandpoint Film Festival, Flicks4Change,
Denton Black Film Festival, Reel Black Men,
Bill Johnson Black Film Festival,
San Francisco Black Film Festival,
Hollywood Black Film Festival,
African Diaspora International Film Festival,
Brecht Forum Visual Film Series,
Medgar Evers Film and Culture Series
HONORS/AWARDS:
Best Director
Manhattanhenge Film Festival
Most Promising Director
Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival