Interview with Roxanne Lanette, The Director of TV Series ‘Torture’

Interview with Roxanne Lanette, The Director of TV Series ‘Torture’

We recently interviewed Roxanne Lanette, the director of a new television series airing this fall on Apple TV and Roku Tv through the Nu TV Network channel. The series is gripping and gritty urban action set in the inner city streets of Baltimore, Md., entitled “Torture.” Torture follows the struggles and aspirations of good kids on the wrong path and their experiences attempting to survive gang wars and police misconduct. Directed by Roxanne Lanette. Produced by Brandon Thompson, and written by Tai Thompson. Here is the interview.

Roxanne Lanette interview

Pro Media Mag : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
Roxanne Lanette : I graduated college and started my career at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol as a camera operator of various primetime programming mainly on SportsCenter, NFL Live, First Take. After my tenure at ESPN, I moved to Atlanta and worked at CNN. I started my filmmaking journey when I directed a short film for rapper Common’s “Ghetto Dream” contest where we came in 4th place.

Pro Media Mag : Who or what inspired you to get into directing?
Roxanne Lanette : Many directors have influenced me, but the first director that impacted me the most was Spike Lee. One of the first films I remember seeing at the movies was Do The Right Thing and I’ve followed his career from that point on and I knew that it was something I wanted to do. I was also tired of people of non-African descent telling our stories. I want to use my art to send messages, to inspire and to break stereotypical barriers.

Pro Media Mag : What was the inspiration behind the TV series ‘Torture’
Roxanne Lanette : Torture started out as a rap song performed by Torture writer and creator Tai Theory. Our cinematographer Kirby Griffin convinced Tai to create a movie from the song, and the web series was then created. We use that same song as the opening theme.

torture

Pro Media Mag : How was your experience with the series as a director?
Roxanne Lanette : It was challenging at first because this is the first series I’ve directed. It took some time to get familiar with the characters and the story lines. The more familiar I became, the better I became. This experience definitely took me out of my comfort zone; it renewed and strengthened my passion for directing. I am constantly eager to learn more and always try to find various ways to tell a story visually.

Pro Media Mag : What kind of response it has received so far?
Roxanne Lanette : We have been shown so much love especially from the Baltimore area. We have also received international love from Spain, Sweden, and Nigeria. Torture even had a premiere in Barcelona, Spain thanks to our friend and fellow filmmaker Darwin Reina. We’ve found that our international audience have grown. People are hungry for more and we have to keep delivering.

Pro Media Mag : How was your working experience with the cast of the series?
Roxanne Lanette : The cast is incredible to work with, for every scene they bring it 100%. Since we’ve started this journey 3 years ago they have grown tremendously. The director is only as good as the cast. The cast grind it out right with us and I am honored to work with such a hungry and talented group of actors. Please be on the lookout for them, they are going to go far.

Pro Media Mag : Where exactly will the TV series be aired?
Roxanne Lanette : The series will be shown on the NuTV Network aka The Nu. NuTV Network can be seen on Roku, Apple TV and soon Amazon Prime. Our first episode will air in September. Re-runs of Torture will be seen on our website wottsproductions.com

Pro Media Mag : Anything else you want to share with our readers about the series?
Roxanne Lanette : We have great things in store for the series such as planning for a possible season 2. The audience can expect to be taken on a wild ride and we’ve made a series in which anyone can relate to.

Pro Media Mag : Are you currently working on any other project?
Roxanne Lanette : Yes, we are working on a new comedy web series called Put Me On The Shelf that will start filming this fall and I am also writing and directing a short film called Invisible Boundaries.

 

The Nu TV Network is gearing up for the fall release of their new Nu TV Network app that will be available on all devices and phones plus they are currently available on Apple TV and Roku Tv via “The Nu TV Network.” The Nu will be premiering several “Nu Exclusive” prime time series in its new fall lineup including award winning series, festival winners, and also top web based series that have been adapted for television. Most popular are the hit action series like Here’s 2 The Throne, The Professional Chiller, and new addition The Terms that air every #DoOrDieFriday along with Torture and they also have great comedies like DC Yuppies, and the new comedy The Put Down. Both are Nu Exclusives that air on #WeGotJokesMondays that leads into the fan favorite romantic Dramas on #AllAboutDramaTuesdays which welcomes back the return of the hit series SGD, produced by Damien McKnight which will air after the new series Chip reader. The Nu TV Network instagram is a great place to see all of its hit series and also watch trailers and clips of each show. When you add in blood thirsty zombie horror shows on SaturdayScreams and extreme Professional wrestling from Rock Star Pro Wrestling this could easily become your new favorite station. Their instagram is nutvnetwork_ And their website is www.nutvnet.com

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