Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Elizabeth Blake Thomas Of Mother and Daughter Entertainment Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Keep as fit and healthy as you can so that you can maintain the energy levels you need for this industry. This industry can take its toll on you and so you never know when you might need to be your best self, so why not be your best self the whole time.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Blake-Thomas.
ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS is a British award-winning director and philanthropist based in Los Angeles. Her romcom Just Swipe, starring Full House/Fuller House star Jodie Sweetin, was purchased by Viacom, available now on various streaming platforms. She has directed action thriller Hunt Club starring American Beauty’s Mena Suvari and Mickey Rourke. Elizabeth’s previous feature Caralique is a family drama starring Disney+ star Isabella Blake-Thomas and Chocolat’s Helene Cardona. She also exec produced thriller Et Tu starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Malcolm McDowell, co-produced Sony AFFIRM’s Moonrise, and 1st Assistant Directed on action-thriller Murder At Hollow Creek starring Jason Patric, Penelope Ann Miller, and Mickey Rourke. Elizabeth is the co-founder and resident director of entertainment company Mother & Daughter Entertainment. Her latest directing projects include wrapping up a TV episode of Sony AFFIRM’s show Shadrach, streaming on Pureflix, as well as YA supernatural thriller Karma: Death at Latigo Springs, starring a stellar ensemble cast including Once Upon A Time’s Isabella Blake-Thomas, Candyman’s Tony Todd, and Disney Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3’s Terry Hu and Pearce Joza.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in the UK. Living my adult life from 19 to 30 in London, specifically Richmond upon Thames where Ted Lasso was filmed. I love watching that show and reminiscing about the local green, pub and shops. I was a theater director and teacher for many years beginning at age 16. I even set up my own touring theater company that put on mostly original content. I’ve always been creative and wrote my first children’s book aged 19 years old. I set up a non profit creative platform for young people called U Plus with an amazing business partner. This was a place for young people to share and sell their creativity. Once my daughter then started acting (her first job aged 4 for Cbeebies) I became a full time chaperone on set for her, creating in my own private time.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Once I arrived in LA with my daughter 12 years ago, I was the support, the chaperone for my young daughter in the entertainment industry. I didn’t even consider it to be my industry or a career path for me, I was there for my daughter. This all changed when I attended a film festival and met my now boyfriend, director Sean Mcnamara. We connected over his film at the festival and I explained what my daughter did and what I used to do in the UK. He turned and said to me “ you should be a director.” I responded with “how do I become a director?” he quickly replied “you just say you’re a director.” I knew how the industry worked from the perspective of acting, behind the scenes crew, what an end product should look like and even stage directing but I had never considered being a film director.. I hadn’t been to film school and didn’t know anything technical, but I didn’t let this stop me, I reached out to people around me that had those skills that I was missing and I just started.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of my most recent Hollywood moments was the other day when I was contacted by an A list producer who was working on an A list cast film. He asked me if I could help find funding. This was a “pinch myself “ moment, because this really showed me how much and how many people I know in this industry. The most interesting thing about this industry is that there is no one way to do things. Making a movie can happen on any budget, with any variation of cast with any equipment. It’s all about a good story. I’ve worked on a variety of films with each one being a totally different experience. Some incredibly positive and some negative, but every experience has taught me something. It also becomes clear that the longer you are working in this industry and living in Hollywood the more people you connect with and call upon and help. It’s a small industry really and if you are a good person and work hard, then things start and then continue to happen.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I had 2 situations where I quickly understood how this industry is divided into levels. Film festivals are great but there is a level difference from a smaller local festival to maybe a world renowned festival like Cannes. It’s about understanding this difference when working with certain people. I spoke very highly about some awards on one of my films, which I was and (should be) proud of. However when you are speaking to studio execs, it’s knowing when this information is relevant to mention and when it isn’t. I learned quickly to listen and learn. Luckily I just came off as a newbie in town but I realized that in order to level up there was a time and place to speak about any accolades.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m actually super proud of myself. I arrived in LA 12 years ago knowing no-one and not knowing whether we were going to stay. We had 6 suitcases between us, I had a rough plan, but other than that I was winging it. I could have easily stopped these plans or given up and not believed in myself and gone back to the UK, but I didn’t. We persevered and found a home and friends and an industry we loved. I try to pat myself on the back regularly remembering how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved from a local girl from the midlands to now being an award winning film director living in Hollywood. My daughter, my dog and my boyfriend have been there throughout as well and are there for any advice and support I might need. It’s important to have other people that understand what you’re going through. Lastly my mentor Larry Schapiro altered my career trajectory with the most incredible advice when I was first starting out as a director 8 years ago. He introduced me to some great casts and taught me how the studio system really works.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Surround yourself with talented people, people that know more than you and can teach you. I’m always learning. Don’t let anyone tell you that things can’t be done. There are so many ways to make a movie, it just depends on what you want your end result to be. So begin at the end. Where do you want your movie to show? Then work backwards and look at other projects that have the similar trajectory that you want for your film. Plan accordingly and be ready to pivot if you need to. There is no wrong way to do something you love.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
There are still a lot of “old school” people in positions of power. I look forward to changes in the top tier of execs. We live in a very different world now and I would like to see the world we work in being representative of our society. Educating everyone to understand how divisive our industry still is. I hope I am able to try to push through these biases.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I have many fab projects ahead of me. Working with some great people. Both as a director and as someone just generally in the industry. “Ctrl AI Delete” is a British film written by the fabulous Jason Bradbury. This will be my first film to direct in the UK. I have an incredible documentary, short narrative and feature film called “Normal” about an individual who is far from normal and is so inspirational that everyone should meet her and hear her story. My latest romcom is written by and starring my amazing daughter Isabella Blake-Thomas called “Love at First Fight”. I love smiling and laughing on set, this is made even easier when making a romantic comedy. I just love telling stories, so if I can keep telling stories that change peoples lives and make a positive impact then I will do this forever.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
I’m working on trying to bring diversity in-front of the camera, and behind the camera. The film medium can have a huge impact on an audience that we might not always be able to get to in other ways. I take that responsibility very seriously. It’s about educating society, leading by example and then showing how to practically achieve these concepts. In “Just Swipe” my romcom I had a few actors with different disabilities and they were hired because they were the best people for the job, not so that I could “check a box” . My next project has a lead actress who is deaf and I hope by educating my crew and audience we can show how actors are just actors. As a mother of a 22 year old it is my responsibility to bring someone into this world who can have an even bigger impact than me, by us at Mother Daughter Entertainment striving to be inclusive in every project, we hope this trickles down into other people’s consciousness.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- I’m still learning now, so that would be the first thing, you will never know everything, just keep learning. It’s important to recognise that humility is a positive trait and you just never know what you can learn from someone by listening.
- Try, what have you got to lose, if not you then who? I wouldn’t be living in LA doing what I do if I hadn’t just gone for it. I’m living proof that anything is possible.
- Keep as fit and healthy as you can so that you can maintain the energy levels you need for this industry. This industry can take its toll on you and so you never know when you might need to be your best self, so why not be your best self the whole time.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff, we are not saving the world, just making a movie. Be kind to everyone on set. Consider what everyone is going through and where they are coming from emotionally. Put things in perspective at all times.
- Use this industry to make a difference in the world. Why not do what we love for good. Even if it’s to simply make people laugh. Our production company’s motto is “Making content that Matters”. What impact can I have on even one person? I try to transform at least one person’s life a day whether that’s through my podcast, published books, my films or my creativity coaching sessions.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I try to split my self care up into what am I doing for my mind, body and soul. My mind needs to be able to take time out because it’s always on the go. I find walking in nature and reading a good book, or going for a picnic and just sitting and staring allows my mind to rest. My body needs to feel rested as well. On set or in meetings it can feel like I’ve run a marathon when actually all I’ve done is sit. So I loosen and relax everything including my face. When you’re suddenly conscious of how you’re sitting or standing, it’s good to let it all go. I will take myself off into nature and walk and stretch. Loose simple stretches. My soul needs feeding, so visiting art galleries, or reading my self help books, painting, drawing anything creative really that just changes my activity. I also try to eat healthily, I’m a vegan and love hot lemon and cups of tea. So plant based foods little and often. I keep my life very simple, drama and stress free.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“If you don’t say anything then you can’t be quoted” and “nothing matters and what if it did.” Both of these are all about being kind, to yourself and to others . I live by these and encourage other people to as well. Life can get out of perspective so both of these ground me and bring me back to a place of truth. If you’re on set and dealing with people that might upset you or cause you strife or grief, then both of these phrases just remind you how to feel, think and behave.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I’m a vegan, zero waster and minimalist. So if I could somehow stop anything new ever being made ever again, I would. We have enough things on this planet to last us forever. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Educate people to have an understanding of how their actions have consequences on our planet. Even a small change can help make a difference. See my short doc Consume as little as possible for an insight into what our actions are doing to this planet and our bodies. Be kinder to this earth and each other.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
My UK friends because I don’t get to see them as much as I would like. I would bring them all over and have a massive picnic with them all.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
@medicinewithwords @elizabeth_b_t @motheranddaughterent www.elizabethblakethomas.com www.medicinewithwords.com www.motheranddaughterent.com
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Elizabeth Blake Thomas Of Mother and Daughter Entertainment… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.