Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Dixon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Victoria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a Chemist and Filmmaker. I graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a B.S. in Chemistry and minor in Biology in 2013. Years later, I went on to become a Chemist at Goodier Cosmetics and their sister company, Revision Skincare. I believed I reach the height of my career, but I always knew something was missing. I starting writing poetry at the age of six-years-old and stop writing towards the end of my junior year in high school. It was not until into January 2017, when I felt inspired to write again. That year, I gave birth to Better Now and I felt very compelled to bring it to life on my own terms. This was the beginning of my film career.
As an aspiring Filmmaker, I did not have the best starting place. When I decided that I wanted to become a Filmmaker, some did not really think I could do it because I did not have the degree nor experience. I am grateful for those that believed in me from the very beginning and decided to help me even though I was considered a nobody in this industry. One of my favorite memories was Dr. Kimberly Ellison introducing me to my now Mentor, Dr. Catrina Pullum aka The Chain Breaker. Dr. Catrina was one of the first people to help direct me to the right information, to the right people, and to the right experiences. Dr. Catrina, as well as so many others like Sharonda Drake, Breauna Nichole, and Anita Dixon, are partly the reason why I am the filmmaker I am today. Most importantly, all the glory goes to God for giving me the vision especially with my new upcoming web-series Better Now (logline below) that is premiering April 7 at 6 pm on YouTube under Antoinette Blue Productions YouTube channel.
Better Now follows Dr. Talia Better, an overworked Marriage and Family Counselor who helps her patients cope with their problems while failing to deal with her own list of issues. The recurring questions throughout the series are Who heals the Healer? Who counsels the Counselor? And how will Dr. Talia pour herself into her patients when she eventually becomes empty?
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process was not always easy, but I am so thankful for the rough patches. I am thankful because I would not have the opportunity to learn so much. For example, during the making of Better Now web-series, I remember almost giving up at least seven times. Making a film, web-series, etc. is not easy. Actually writing the series or film is the easiest step for me. The best decision I made during the development of Better Now web-series, was not giving up because I would not have been able to see the amazing work of so many people including myself. I appreciate everyone who helped in any way to bring Better Now web-series to life.
My advice for other women is to never give up because once you do, the successful end result is no longer an option. Also, to surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you even when you feel like giving up. The people who will call you in the middle of the day and tell you to take a negative post down because that post is not you. The people who also look up to you and pushes you to keep going.
“You can never reach perfection, but you will always be better than you were before.”- Better Now web-series
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a proud Chemist as well as proud Filmmaker. As a Chemist, I work with beauty products, such as acne treatments, moisturizers, anti-aging creams, etc. and my job is to test the quality of each product before it falls into the hands of the consumer. As a Filmmaker, I write, produce, and direct material that inspires me as well as help produce for others. I started my own production company called Antoinette Blue Productions, which focus on producing work that inspires me to inspire people. The name, Antoinette Blue Productions, was inspired by my late grandmother, Villie Belton. My grandmother was my best friend and Antoinette Blue Productions is one form I use to remember her. I also share H.E.R. Time Films with my sister, Breauna Nichole. The H.E.R. in H.E.R. Time films stands for (H) Hope because we hope to continue to go after our dreams and become better through practice. (E) Encourage people especially women to never give up and keep going. (R) Reach the people especially women to inspire and to create. Currently, I am working on several screenplays and pilots that I hope to one day produce and direct as well.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
There are so many women that inspire me. Too many to count, but if I had to choose one, it would be my late grandmother, Villie Belton. She passed away April 24, 2014, from Pancreatic Cancer and that day my heart was broken. I am grateful for every memory we shared and everything she instilled in me. My grandmother is partly the reason why I am the woman I am today. Villie Belton was my first best friend and she will always be remembered. I love you, Momma Villa.
Contact Info:
- Email: antoinetteblueproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antoinetteblueproductions/ ; https://www.instagram.com/betternowweb/; https://www.instagram.com/victoria_thechemist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Antoinetteblueproductions/ ; https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/TV-Show/Better-Now-The-Web-Series-213207159235076/;
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDy0Au6tfb4cjMlojGXASjw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQTuhyIoKQ4
Image Credit:
Sharonda Drake, Zee Edwards, Anita Dixon, Patrice Angwenyi
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