Bermuda’s own Sia Spence is featured in the July 2, 2019 edition of VoyageATL as one of the lead creatives of one of the first film companies “to come out of Bermuda” that is both female owned and Bermudian owned.

The extensive article entitled ‘Meet Sia Spence of Filmale in Marietta’ treks the talented artist’s career from Bermuda to Georgia, where she relocated in 2014.

As a “well-known singer” locally, she has also “opened in concert for many international artists as well as performed all over the island at weddings, funerals, government events, parties, hotels, etc”.

“After singing for almost 20 years, I became extremely bored and just felt deep down inside that there was more to life, especially my life,” Ms Spence said.

“After, almost two years of mentorship, I built up the courage to ‘jump’ and chase my dreams and see what is awaiting me outside of the turquoise waters, sunny skies and 21 square miles. I decided to move myself and my two beautiful children and start the journey. I did not know how I was going to do it, but eventually, everything fell into place and I was able to attend school and graduate with a 3.82 GPA.”

From there, it was on to American InterContinental University in Atlanta, where she majored in Media Production as an Audio student.

“Starting school at the age of 36 with two young children” was not easy, she said.

” I had to deal with living in the US as a foreigner and not being able to receive and enjoy all of the benefits of a resident or citizen. This made my journey extremely difficult. I’m sure you can all imagine, but when I say it has been difficult boy oh boy, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I have learned to make the best out of the journey and sometimes the difficult times did get the best of me, but I have overcome each and every time.

“During these difficult times, I met some amazing and talented individuals. Some of them I am still connected to and some I’m not, but I am forever grateful. Two individuals, in particular, who have been instrumental in my journey are Domonique Mitchell, President of Xperienc on Demand, who made me work extremely hard for the opportunity to own my own channel on XOD as well as other deals. “He has always been nothing but positive and has always provided me with many networking opportunities as well as words of wisdom.

“The other individual is Natalie Fikes, ‘The World’s Greatest MC’ and Best Selling Author. This wonderful and gifted woman has shown me tough love and pushed me to be the best version of myself. There have been many tears, laughter, moments of anger and she even saved my life. I will never forget her for all that she has done for me. These two individuals were instrumental in my decision to form FILMALE. My company, FILMALE, will produce film and television projects, but also concentrate on producing educated professionals who will create and bring their dreams and visions to life on the big screen.

“I have already obtained experience in film as well as teaching film. I had the wonderful opportunity of completing my year of work in my profession here in Georgia at Imagine World Studios as a Production Assistant on music video sets, Director for the filming of a Reality TV Show Sizzle for Cisco Rosado of LOVE n HIP HOP NY, and I also enjoyed and am grateful for the opportunity to be a film instructor for Imagine world Studio’s Film Intensive where I had the opportunity to teach actors such as George Lott (Little, Shaft) and other awesome aspiring actors and filmmakers. I’ve always loved to teach, but this is where I knew it was what I wanted to do. Another service that I give is script reading. Those who know me know that I love to rip a script apart and also write them.

“I am currently in transition and I will be taking all that I have learned and will inspire, mentor and teach those, in Bermuda and the US, who want to learn about the film & TV industry. Bermuda does not have much of an industry for it, but I will be a first and I will be putting Bermuda on the map. In teaching Bermudians about film & TV, I hope to build a community and provide opportunities to those who didn’t think that they had an opportunity. We have talented people in Bermuda and if I can create a platform for those individuals, I am definitely here for it.

“I am currently writing my first full feature which will be located in Bermuda and will cast both local and international actors. My dream is to have it seen in theaters internationally and I am believing to win an Oscar!”

Ms Spence noted that FILMALE was “initially created in 2018, to “produce film and television projects but also concentrate on producing educated filmmakers and actors who will create and bring their dreams and visions to life on the big screen”.

“Educating aspiring filmmakers is important to us, as there are so many who love to pick up a camera and create but don’t know the basics of filmmaking – Idea to Screen.

“We would like to see all the filmmakers doing their very best according to what they have learned and more.  We have had the opportunity of mentoring aspiring filmmakers, and, one in particularly is my mentee, Victoria Renee. She has made us extremely proud of her progress in this industry, acceptance into screenwriting school, and her drive to help others by paying it forward. She is the next best thing!”

For More Information:

  • Email: info@filmalefilms.com
  • Instagram: @filmalefilms
  •  Image Credit: Will Sterling of Sterling Pics IG: @sterlingpics – He took all of the professional pictures in the white dress

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