Breaking Barriers to Achieve the “Impossible”

By Blair Hastings

You ever wonder as a child, “What am I going to do with my life?” No? Well, while most seven-year-olds would only be concerned about what stuffed animals they would bring to bed, I was wondering what song I should sing next. In my room, with the Mariah Carey cassette tape in my hand and a radio player close by, I couldn’t wait until I was able to sing on my imaginary stage, dressed in the most extravagant glittery dress and performing in front of a huge audience. As the years progressed, I grew more envious of the stage, ready to turn my pretending into a reality.

Growing up poor with both parents who had limited knowledge of the English language, I became the primary communicator at a very young age. As my responsibilities grew, so did my needs to express myself outside of being “responsible.” I wanted a way to express my inner child. I didn’t always want to be the straight “A” student. I also wanted to be more vocal with my singing and acting. I was shy, so singing was a productive way of expressing my internal feelings.

As time passed, my passion for singing became a passion for theater. I remember the elaborate Irish quilts I wore for Brigadoon and the corsets I had on for Romeo and Juliet. Now as an adult, I’m currently in film and television production for my work at Fayetteville Public Television and an actor for Actors Casting Agency. I’m working on my own televised series, Underground, and other sponsored projects in which I am writing, producing, directing, and editing; such a joy to get paid to do what I’m passionate for. So crazy, right? I am so humbled to even be given the opportunity to do such a thing.

So far, I’ve been featured on different broadcasting outlets including podcasts, radio, film, printed articles and various television series & films. My fondest memory is to sit right behind Anna Camp in a movie she filmed here in Arkansas! I admire her so much!

Seeing as I have been on movie sets, both in front and behind the camera lens, I have seen the “ins and outs” of different aspects. Some of which I feel like could inspire and change the way we look at TV and Film. As a producer for different TV series, I’ve had the opportunity to showcase and diversify. I love valuing talent and sometimes I’ll intentionally cast and hire, not only talented individuals, but people who are diverse. I hope to normalize what the “new normal” should look like. Lets face it, not everyone can look like all the famous tanned celebrities out there. So, why not? Why now cast people who otherwise don’t normally get cast. Those of us with unique qualities.

Call me an idealist, but I love turning on the tv and seeing someone like myself being represented. I didn’t have a toy that looked like me. I didn’t have very many characters who looked like me and now that I have the opportunity to write and create television & movies, you better believe that I’ll be using this to my advantage.

 

This year has been great! I’ve had articles published about my progress and that was a shock. I was on a few podcasts and that was wild too. I’ve produced multiple projects and stepped on set with a few big names, as you can imagine… I’m pretty much pinching myself about this. A shy little girl? No more. The adult version of me wants to prove to her that she can literally be anyone she wants to be. Just create it. Another question “Should I assist in creating diversifying film & tv?” The answer is, there’s nothing that can hold me back.

 

Although many blessings have come from being a filmmaker, actor and singer, it wasn’t always easy. As much of success that came from that, there also seems to be the reciprocated level of unfortunate events. I remember walking to work in customer service with my uniform in my backpack with the soles of my shoes torn up, avoiding rain puddles left from the night before. I had to walk because my car was at the shop. I was defeated but I kept walking.

 

Earlier that month a local radio DJ friend asked me to sing at a showcase he was hosting and at this point I needed to sing my soul out because reality was harsh. I needed that sense of soul searching that only singing could provide for me. Fortunately, while my car was in the shop, I managed to rent a room with a coworker. She had no idea that months before I was homeless and living in my car while having three jobs.

 

I hid it well. Working at a local gym, I worked out in the morning and showered there. Next I would walk over to the reception job during the week and on the weekend I weeded a rich ladies garden. Life was tough but I knew I would get through this. Singing helped. Singing kept my mind occupied as my reality set in. My hair was falling out in clumps and I was hemorrhaging for months. The nurse practitioner that took care of me said that all tests were good, later I found out that it was the stress from living in my car and having three jobs was the cause.

 

Needless to say, the love from the performing arts is what really saved me. It gave me purpose.

 

My work for Fayetteville Public Television as the social media coordinator, producing & directing. Over the last few years, I’ve had to put on many hats. My favorite new endeavor is writing scripts and television series episodes. I have always been conducting interview questions but I never had the courage to create scripts of my own.

 

I am locally known for my work as an actor and filmmaker but I would like to emphasize on acting and production. I know this is going to be a difficult challenge but I think that will be something to try my hand at.

 

Currently, I am working on the televised series Interform & NWA Fashion Week, Underground, The Lonely Echos Saga (featured on Plex, Tubi & other streaming services) and The Summer Concert Series.

 

Working during covid has been hard, Producing content was difficult during covid, guests and talent weren’t able to come to the television station for recordings. So, we did interviews through zoom and then we had to edit accordingly.

 

The aesthetics were not as visually appealing and marketing for these segments was difficult but now we’re in full swing.