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AN INTERVIEW WITH Tina-Marie Cox, DIRECTOR & ACTRESS


As a Producer and Actor, please introduce yourself.

It’s a humbling honor to be allotted the opportunity to introduce myself on this platform. Meet the rose that broke through the concrete.

My name is Tina-Marie Cox. I am currently living in Las Vegas by way of Tampa, Florida.

I was born and raised in a place some call the 8th wonder of the world, Niagara Falls, New York. 

Growing up there at a young age I knew I was too big for the City and that I was going to grow up to accomplish a lot of things.

I am proud to say I am one of the few people who is a Key to The City recipient of Niagara Falls, NY. 

I am a U.S. Air Force Veteran, an owner of a Music Management Company as well as a TimeShare Agent.

However, still in all one of my biggest accomplishments to date is that I am a Mother of two blessings.


Why you became a filmmaker as producer? Give us some information about yourself and your film experience?

I am new to the filmmaker and producer scene. I was a main character in an Independent film called “Loaded Love”, 

which was written, directed and produced by Cranstan Cumberbatch and Lolita Defoe.

I have appeared in music videos, game shows, professionally modeled, was a choreographer, a public speaker and I have hosted 

several events as well as directed music videos and photo shoots.

I have plans to continue on this journey in film with several project ideas which I hope to share in the near future.

I plan on shaking hands in this industry until I no longer have to introduce myself

Why you decided to make this film?

I always loved the world of entertainment and film. Documentaries and the “fly on the wall” films even more.

My documentary idea came when I realized that this 2020 pandemic was nothing less than a break for other opportunities. 

With the arrival of COVID-19 the life that we were used to was no longer. 

We are still waiting to see what the “new normal” will look like.

And my straight forward answer truly is because I could. A personal challenge if you will.


What are the films or people that had impacts on you and deeply inspired you?

I started modeling at an early age and it was then that I not only realized that I enjoyed being in front of the camera but 

I wanted to also be the vision behind the camera.

In 2015 I was blessed enough to meet and gain a wonderful friendship with the very kind and talented Actor/Producer, 

The late Mr. Alan Thick. Thick and I along with a few other people I chose had worked and completed a music project together. 

I then realized my true potential when Thick had enough confidence in my talents to allow me to lead the project 

by selecting the music artist, producers and take it in my own creative direction.

I was honored to say the least. We also discussed pitching a few filming projects at the next pitching conference in year 2016

 after we launched our music project. Unfortunately, due to Alan’s untimely and unexpected death in December of 2016, 

we were not able to launch either project. Mr. Thick “Papa T”, as he would say, was a great deal of inspiration on my desire 

to get started and to continue my journey in film.


What were some of the challenges you faced in this film?

The most challenging part in filming this documentary was 

the fact that I had to commit to be open, transparent, vulnerable and most of all secretive. Not only to people I know but, to those I don’t. 

In filming this, it was hard to tell which one would be harder because I am a woman of integrity and I speak on that word a lot.

I knew that my decision to not share my pregnancy journey 

with family and close friends would cause a few mixed emotions. However, I had to remind myself of a saying I have heard several 

times is that, “Those who matter don’t mind and those 

who mind don’t matter”.

This was my journey, my choice and my life. So, I am okay with that.



For you what was the biggest lesson you had to learn after producing this film?

The “acting” part was easy because, all I had to do was be me.

I think whenever you do something you are passionate about, 

upon completion you will always take a look back and wonder 

what could you have done better, or say I wish I had thought 

to do this or that. 

However, at times you only have one shot at capturing 

a true moment in time. For example, pregnancy. 

 You are not able to go back and refill month 3 when you are in month 7. It’s just simply not possible. I learned that you only get one shot at this thing called life, in more ways than one. And that you only die once so do what you want, when you want and when you can.

Every day the light of life brings new opportunity. 

Be the author of your book of life. 

 

What keeps you inspired to continue in film?

Life and it’s many facets. I didn’t grow up having many pictures of me. 

I don’t know what I looked like as a newborn, a small child and a lot of my life journey unfortunately maybe, 

was not captured. There is so much I don’t know about my life and childhood and that brings a sense of emptiness to me, 

perhaps to anyone. I decided early on in life I would capture my story of life and I promised myself that my children 

would have their life in a time capsule to share with their children and family someday. It’s so important. Voids in life at any age is painful. 

What are your goals in film industry?

My goals are to inspire and motivate others to do what they feel in their hearts to do, to “stop and smells the flowers” 

and to pick one every now and then.

To know that it’s okay to be you and express that through the lens. You never know who needs what you have to offer. 

In doing so keep in mind that other people’s opinions of you is none of your business.

I plan to shine on and film on, with purpose.


What is your next filmmaking project?

I have been working on a life story documentary for a few years now. I will be excited when that is completed and I am able to share.

I am also working on a “fly on the wall” project that puts women in business in the spotlight who work in male dominated industries. 


GOOD LUCK Tina

Tina's Links:

Website:

www.dymondmanagement.com

Facebook:

Tina Dymond-Marie Cox

Instagram:

@dymond2878

Twitter:

@dymond2878

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