Influential Woman · Independent film

Lorelei Jasso

Executive Producer, Self Employed

Dallas, TX

Her Story

About Lorelei

I've been in the film industry for 3 years, and it's been an absolute journey. After leaving an unhealthy marriage, I went through a healing path of self-exploration and realization, which led me to start taking opportunities I never would have considered before. A friend invited me to be an extra in a movie called Sugar City, and I showed up consistently to help. I eventually invested in the project and took on many different roles - organizing, writing, management, choreographing extras, managing finance, just making things happen, which is really what production is all about. I worked on House of Dolls 2 and have been hired for many music videos since then. One of my proudest moments was working on a music video for a young girl named Tamiya Daniela who made a rap song about sexual assault. I was able to step in, make her comfortable, encourage her, and help create this wonderful video that's now on YouTube for kids to listen to - better media that people can consume. Now I focus on creating media that is more positive and inclusive, and I'm committed to creating production environments that are safer and more understanding for the needs of anybody involved. My boyfriend and I work together through production, and we've created a synergy-efficient team that covers for each other's weaknesses.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Lorelei

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I think in this industry, it's very easy to fall in line with what big corporations are doing and big room for film. But there's also a great opportunity in independent film and media that cannot be censored, and things that can be created on your terms, not necessarily on orthodoxical terms. I want everybody to know that yes, you can do it. Step outside the box - don't just think outside of it, step outside of it. You can definitely do it. It's possible.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the challenges is it's very easy to get taken advantage of in many ways - labor-wise, work-wise, many ways. You have to not be too willing to sign up for everything. You have to value your time, you have to value your peace, and I think a lot of people really chase that opportunity, and it makes them vulnerable. One of the opportunities is you get to meet a lot of people, you get to have a lot of influence as well. There's more power in what people can do and what media can be created if people wanted to. Behind that media, there's also a lot of business opportunity. With Sugar City, instead of outsourcing our labor, we used local-owned businesses as sponsors. Instead of licensing commercial music, we actually produced music for local, hand-picked artists. We really created opportunities to help artists and people and local businesses here in our city. When you do something like that, you have the opportunity to benefit your community, benefit your city, benefit your state in many ways, outside of politics. You can definitely make a difference.

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