We had the good fortune of connecting with Joan Montreuil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joan, what do you attribute your success to?

I have always been passionately committed to obtaining my goals and dreams. I am a visionary, so I am deeply passionate about every single project God allows me to create by artistic means. Assignments that make sense to my spirit and my soul and that are designed to empower and uplift others. My commitment to inspire can be seen through my storytelling such as my inspirational books, Beyond  The Vows, The Unexpected and Delivered From Destruction, and also can be seen in my faith-based films, Walk By Faith, Beyond The Vows [Movie Adaption], and Closer To Home and other media outlets as well. I’m now in production for my 4th featured film and this time around,  my goal is to build a broader audience and be open to different film genres to cultivate more fans of my work. Which is easier said than done but I’m willing to tough it out.
To stay committed to this industry you must understand your perception of success before you begin this journey or you are setting yourself up to experience some very negative feelings when it doesn’t go your way.  You must first learn to commit yourself to the process which could take years to gain a wealth of knowledge, the audience you desire and the box office payout you hope to see.  This kind of commitment will require, much sacrifice.  This could mean time, money, missed vacations, long nights and the list go on and on. Creating content is not always the problem for indie filmmakers,  it’s the lack of funding and the lack of support! While creators are ready to introduce their fresh new ideas and content to the world, most times our ability to soar, involves a lack of funding and who you know in this business. That’s right, I said what I said; it’s all about who you know, not about what you know. So then, if this is statement is true, then we must be courageous and determined to get “The In The Know” crowd, to know you! While putting your best foot forward and lacking the support needed to carry out your vision, don’t give up,  remember the commitment that is not to the crowd, but to yourself! Make short and long-term goals that will attribute to your success! I can attribute as I stated above to being committed,  courageous, bold,  knowledgeable, and patient; characteristics that have kept me inspired to write; inspired to produce, inspired to create compelling content, writing the vision and making it plain, because one day, I believe that I  will be rewarded for all of the hard work I put in over the years. My family was taught to operate the principle of seed, time, and harvest. The seed has been planted, and I’m patiently waiting to obtain the harvest.   It took me a while to understand that being committed is key and that it would eventually produce success. What does success look like to Joan!  Does it involve wealth? Not always! Completing any given task is a success to me.  Success has nothing to do with what you have in your possession but how you feel when you are operating in what you are purposed to do. With that being said, I attribute my success to my source, which is GOD, and not merely the perception of man’s reality of wealth.

Being Optimistic

And then there’s being optimistic! I’m very optimistic that I will succeed with everything I put my mind to do. Despite the obstacles that creators face; being optimistic has benefits for your health and productivity. It’s very challenging to be creative and productive when you allow the cares of this world to affect you inwardly. Therefore, we must constantly guard our hearts, so that the things we see, hear, and feel can be used in our work to expose, inspire and inform healthily. I keep my focus on the positive, although many things grieve me yet a positive outlook on any given situation can ease the pressures of life while fulfilling my purpose.  I believe wholeheartedly that I will succeed,  even when I’m discouraged I will succeed.  I understand that most things in life won’t come easily. Especially being a black woman in this male-dominated industry, remaining optimistic helps me to stay on course while walking through uncharted territory. I’ve had run-ins with some very unkind souls, both male, and female, but it’s important to stay focused and save your energy for the fight to remain in the race. Prayer is also a huge factor that contributes to my optimistic mindset.  I could remember experiencing some very difficult situations dating back to my early twenties involving toxic people, business partners, friends, and family members and I would pray to GOD to remove them, I just wanted peace. Until I realized that I’m called to this position or place, instead, I should pray that  GOD will remove the obstacle or the person that stands in my way. It is crucial that you understand the assignment! Here me well, you have too much to lose to come down from the wall; you have too much to lose or revisit the valley when GOD has elevated you to the mountaintops. You must do everything you need to do, to operate at a higher frequency.  It’s time to raise your vibration and become self-aware of your purpose and what you are destined to do!  In all things pray and seek God’s face for guidance and clarity of the assignment. Be sober-minded, watchful, and prayerful for the adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, to consume, destroy. You will also be met by the accuser of the brethren,  keep your eyes on the prize and remain fearlessly confident, and don’t allow negativity and pessimism to detour or distract you.


Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Absolutely!  I am a seasoned playwright, scriptwriter, and author with a strong passion for the Arts. I truly believe that I stumbled upon this blessing after experiencing a very difficult upbringing and somehow writing in my diary as a young girl made me feel safe to express my emotions privately. Who would have known that writing would be one of my purposes here on earth?   To this day,  I am truly grateful that my mom was wise enough to introduce me to the Art of writing and self-expression.  I can remember that day when my mom bought me a diary that happened to have a key to it.  This practice of expressing my daily thoughts did wonders in the way I processed emotional trauma.  This kind of child-rearing helped me throughout my life.  When I would fall away and stop writing I would find my way right back to the art of writing which led to writing stage plays, for a total of 10 consecutive years, then the rest is history. I moved to Houston and wrote my first feature film, from there,  a webisode, a host of short films, which led to feature films now distributed films nationwide.

Which leaves me to my career. Is being a filmmaker a good career choice? Yes. While some may say that filmmaking is a hobby, this is probably based on a slow and low return on the profit. Being a filmmaker or film director, in today’s day and age is more of a boon than a bane. And there is a combination of things that have contributed to this current era of filmmakers.  One is that technology has made major advancements, like motion and action in a film which helps keep the audience’s attention. Let’s not mention the content creators today are creating more movies that inspire, educate and their production method is on another level in times past.

I’ve been blessed to create content that has opened a revolving door for distribution.  Wisdom Productions, LLC has been in existence for over 25 years.   Having several films in rotation allows me the grace to receive residuals that are sufficient for the purpose to reinvest in greater works.  WP is a multi-faceted establishment that has acquired more training, content, and a larger team. We developed programs and courses that would sustain WP over 25 years transforming from stage productions to film productions, we are equipped with a professional team ready to assist.    WP has dedicated its time, effort, and talent, all to providing opportunities for writers and filmmakers to portray their talent.  We welcome non-union and union actors but most importantly, joining our team of professionals will help cultivate your introduction of love for the Film, Theater, and Media industry.

Founder and Director Joan Montreuil will launch her impending online Certificate film school in 2022. Wisdom Production Academy is where writers and filmmakers will be offered online courses that will help individuals learn the art of writing and stage and film production.  These courses are designed to help individuals interested in the film industry, transition with ease. She is also the Founder and Director of the award-winning Brilliant Women In Film.  An all-female support group for writers and filmmakers. For more info: Please visit https://www.wisdomproductioninternational.org | https://www.brilliantwomeninfilm.com


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them out to enjoy some crawfish from Blue Water Seafood restaurant. I’m from New Orleans, so we must go there first for lunch. Secondly, I would suggest the Prey Cajun Restaurant located @ 17  Post Oak Blvd Suite 290, Houston Texas!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Over the past two decades of dedicating my life to the ARTS, I’ve met some amazing people along the way, from all walks of life. So many people have groomed me into the person I am today and continue to do so. Their guidance and wisdom are responsible for how I show up in society today as a servant leader, caregiver, wife, mentor, life coach, and friend.  I am grateful to all the spiritual leaders and co-laborers who helped counseled me beforehand for the hardship I would endure in this lifetime.  To my mother, my dear friend,  for the time, effort, and love that she’d given me before she passed away and the amazing support of my husband and dear children. My immediate family has played a pivotal role in my life and supported me wholeheartedly. I cannot imagine what life would be like without them. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Website: https://www.wisdomproductioninternational.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwifbrilliantwomeninfilm/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwif-briiliant-women-in-film-a68859163/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brilliantwomen4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joanmontreuilfilms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz85C1kSZFv9mYHj9KKVTBA

Other: https://www.brilliantwomeninfilm.com

Image Credits
Credit Photo: Devin Brown Isimply Imaginative

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