Talent agent and manager Regina René Lines discusses her experiences in entertainment and how she made the leap to film production to work on projects like D-Railed and the upcoming horror anthology Very Frightening Tales.
When did you know you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?
When I was 9 years old, my mom took me and my brother to see Saturday Night Fever at the drive-In theatre. Although she had no idea there would be so much profanity and sex and spent a majority of the time telling us to cover our eyes and ears, I was mesmerized by the incorporation of dancing, storytelling, and costumes, which was everything I loved. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be in the scene and not just in the audience watching the screen.
Was there a specific person or movie that inspired you?
I was lucky to work with Francis Ford Coppola at a young age and he was a huge inspiration to me. He was very kind and would ride me around Zoetrope Studios on his bicycle. On set, he made everyone feel important and his energy created a beautiful work environment. I remember stepping on the set the first day of filming and thinking we had been magically transported to another place. I was in awe. Watching him work made me realize there was more to making a film than getting in front of a camera and acting, and from that moment, I fell in love with this industry.
How did being a talent agent/manager benefit you when you chose to go into producing?
Since I book talent, I am familiar with SAG contracts so this knowledge was helpful with actor contracts and when filling out SAG bond paperwork needed for productions. I feel that I also had inside knowledge of what to look for in an actor specific to each role since a major part of my job as a manager is being completely involved with my clients’ acting career and the whole casting process.
What do you look for in a project before you choose to come onboard?
It’s all about the story and the impact it will leave on the audience. Throughout my life, there have been many films I’ve seen in which I don’t necessarily remember the details, but I always remember how they made me feel.
What are some of the challenges for women in the movie industry?
It’s no secret this is a male-dominated industry, but it’s refreshing for a story to be told from a woman’s eyes. We’re finally being recognized with the likes of Ava Devernay, Katheryn Bigelow, Greta Gerwig, and many other talented females in the industry, and I would love to see more fellow Latinas behind the scenes as well. Though we have a long way to go, I believe the paradigm is slowly starting to shift.
What type of projects are you looking to create in the future?
I definitely want to make my grandmother’s epic story into a film, however, I know there are many other stories out there that need to be told as well. My mission is to create productions that inspire others and leave thought-provoking and heart-opening projects that can transcend from generation to generation.
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Sandy Lo is an author, blogger, journalist, and digital strategist. Her personal story is inspiring. Sandy started StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, “Lost In You,” followed by the “Dream Catchers” Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.
