Interviewed by: Charron Monaye
Lem Collins is a creative powerhouse whose journey from the actor to the integrated director reflects the true spirit of independent cinema and the excellence of the narrative. With a career period for over two decades, LEM has created an impressive portfolio, which appears in films and television works on Bet, VH1, Tubi and much more. As an actor, his distinctive roles in a taste of betrayal, infidelity, Christmas in Frat House will never let the favorite of worship go to tell a story to tell him a recognizable and respectable talent on the screen.
Behind the camera, LEM is just as dynamic to serve as a writer, director and producer in works such as Brown Sugar Healing, for what is worth the bottom. Known for his ability to develop raw, stratified characters and twisted, unforgettable plots, LEM is a narrator who pushes creative boundaries while remaining grounded in authenticity. Whether he works with stars like Jamal Woolad and DC Young Fly on the batch of the car, or the development of significant content, Lem Collins continues to chart the space as one of the most multifaceted voices in the industry.
HH: Hey Lem, thank you very much for spending time to talk to us and allowing me to point out your journey to our readers! It’s really honor. What are you doing?
LEM: I’m great. Thank you for asking.
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HH: Did you have such a dynamic journey – by the actor of the writer, the director and the producer, what initially pulled you into the film industry? Was there a decisive moment that made you say, “That’s – that’s what I have to do”?
LEM: I have always been attracted to the arts. As a child I wrote poetry, short stories and music. I have starred in elementary school and the stage when I grew up. My decisive moment is when I woke up one Saturday morning in 2008 and watch a documentary called “The Secret”. This changed my mindset from “I will be” in “I am”. So, I wrote my first movie in 4 hours, put a team together, shot, starred in it, then moved to Atlanta.
HH: We linked the TV/movie sister Ty Johnston-Chavis sister when I came as an executive producer for the shake-up call, which you wrote. What inspired this particular story and how did you approach purpose and real life with entertainment?
LEM: “Awakening Call” was inspired by a real event. One of the roommates of my college died in a car accident years ago. After he died, we never deleted his phone number and called him by mistake one day and someone answered. The telephone company had assigned my roommate’s number to someone else. She and I did not start talking or building any kind of relationship as I wrote the movie, but there I received the inspiration to write this piece.
HH: You directed the short video/music video for the Gospel artist Bri Babineaux, how different was this experience in the direction of the film? Do you find spiritual works that launch a different side of your creativity?
LEM: I liked to work on the Bri videos for many reasons, but I’ll keep it short, lol. The main thing I liked is that it was so positive. Being in the entertainment business we have to have fun. Unfortunately, sometimes this means that I have to write, direct and/or produce projects that are only meant to have fun. With the Bri videos I felt good because it was something I could sit down and watch with the whole family, mainly grandmother. Grandma does not want to watch any of my intense content. Lol
HH: Wait, you have acted on movies like Madea going to prison, three can play this game and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, how did you manage to land so much different roles early in your career?
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LEM: I started acting back in 2000. I had an agent at Charlotte NC he used to help me get to the set and learn the business. I was mainly an extra in all the works early and that led me to write myself as the lead in my first movie “Close, but closer” in 2008. As for the works I want to do, it would probably be one of the many scenarios I have written, but there are some people with whom I would like. (Ice Cube, Jeffery Wright, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Quinta Brunson, Jordan Pele, Colman Domingo) These are people I really admire because they do what I strive to do. Write, act, instant, production, … create!
HH: As a producer, you have helped to bring strong projects such as under its influence, for what is worth it, a taste of betrayal and brown sugar treatment in life. What makes a scenario or project stand out enough to say, “I have to produce it”?
LEM: If the scenario or work has a strong message, I would probably like to be part of it. I like what I do and if I can help others bring their vision to life then it makes it even better if I can connect with the script, history and characters.
HH: Let’s talk about the batch of a car, starring with Jamal Woolad and DC Young Fly. What was this vibe as in the set, and how does this work stretch you as an actor or creative?
LEM: The car was a beast. I’m not going to lie and the sugar coat .. Lol I shot in mid -July in the hot hot Atlanta at the height of the Covid pandemic. Production was sometimes closed because some people got sick. I have to say that, we had a lot of fun to turn it around … It was difficult, but it’s worth it. The vibe was cool and everyone knew we had to complete the mission, so we put ten fingers down and smiled it. DC was hilarious as usual, and it was funny to see Jamal play this kind of character. We all had fun with our roles. This role was definitely tested my ability and I learned a lot about myself during this process. I had to convey the movie and proved that I could.
HH: Now, we are working on a twisted obsession, a psychological thriller with a lot of anxiety and drama in progress. I brought you the story and I can say that you transformed it, “you turned it even more”! Is the kind of thriller a personal favorite? Do you find yourself pulling on “twisted” real life plots more than “new” narratives?
LEM: Yes, thank you for bringing me to write it with you. This is really my favorite genre to write. I like an agony/thriller movies and recently it seems that people have fallen the ball. Your story was already good, and now we are working together with us, it is going to show the mattresses and reversals of the public who did not see.
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HH: You have acted, write, produce and direct. What leads you to stay involved in each narrative layer? Is there a role in which you feel more linked or thrive to wear all the hats?
LEM: I like it all. There is no one to choose above the other. I definitely thrive wearing all the hats.
HH: When you don’t create, how does the interruption look like for Lem Collins? What is your way to disconnect, restore or refuel your creativity?
LEM: I don’t often get to disconnect, but when I do, I like to relax at home. I don’t like being around big crowds and people I don’t know. So, mostly I live at home and think of new ideas. I really like that. Oh! And I like to play golf when I can.
HH: You have a whole directory of movie and shows right now, some of which our readers may not even realize that you are or have helped create! For the advertisement of advertising hair, what would be “Lem Collins Weekend Watchlist”? Give us this perfect lazy day, television and chill series, so that we can make use of and show love.
LEM: Go to Bet Plus and watch the first season of “I took a story to tell” is also on Tubi along with a movie I wrote under “Christmas at the Frat House”. You can watch “never leave”, “under his influence”, “a taste of betrayal” for what is worth it “,” the bottom “, the car”, the infidelity and much more. These are some good to get started.
HH: For the aspiring creators who want to act, write, direct and produce, but do not know where to start, what real tips you would give them to stay in such a competitive industry?
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LEM: The only way to get to where you want to be is to continue. Never stop. Never give up. No excuses. And always keep in mind that “if you are not willing to risk everything, you don’t want enough bad”.
