Chapter 1: What is the significance of execution over ideas in creative industries?
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Chapter 2: How does Issa Rae define true power versus visibility?
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Chapter 3: What does it mean to 'prove yourself again' in a new chapter of your career?
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Chapter 4: How does Issa decide what projects to take on or decline?
I'm a huge fan. I have to say, I feel like I've watched every single Insecure episode, maybe five times over. Like, did you know I'm in? You know it better than I do. Wow. Thank you for that. No, I really do. I was dedicated to that show in such a big way. But I really wanted you to come here today. And I have to say, I've been handing your team since I started this.
I was like, Issa, Issa, Issa, because listen, I follow you. I've been tracking you. And it feels to me like you are building somewhat of an empire. And I feel like people think they know you.
Chapter 5: Why is financial independence crucial for creative freedom?
They think they know exactly what you're up to. But I wanted to ask you, when you look at this chapter of your life, how would you describe it right now?
You're catching me at such a weird time. I feel like it feels like a new beginning in so many ways. I know, I know, I know. But bear with me. Like I've been with, you know, the same Company for the last 10 years, maybe. Insecure came out in 2016. Yeah. Was it that long ago? Yeah, it came out in 2016, the end of 2016. And now, like, I've moved on to a new home with Paramount.
Congratulations, by the way. I appreciate it.
Chapter 6: What strategies does Issa use to protect her creative voice?
That was a big deal out there. Thank you. It's really, really exciting. And I'm still, you know, I love HBO. I'm still doing business with them. But like it just feels like new opportunities, new horizons. And I'm kind of in this like humble period where I'm like proving myself again. So the chapter feels like, yeah, new beginnings is the right thing.
And I was telling the company that it feels like a show and prove season in a new way. You still feel like you have to prove yourself? Yeah, but I'm happy to. Like I want to prove myself in new ways. In new mediums, I want to prove myself in the work that I do. I've been writing a lot more and also just kind of taking a step back in certain areas.
So I'm just re-evaluating where I am, but in an exciting way and just trying not to allow myself to feel too comfortable with the direction that I've taken, you know?
Chapter 7: How does Issa Rae view the relationship between leadership and influence?
Is that like out of creative necessity or is that because you're so ambitious?
Both? Yeah. When you say necessity, that resonates with me specifically just because I don't want to feel stuck in any one place. And I don't want to feel like I'm doing the same thing over again. I love a routine, but I don't want to feel like... It's work and I know what to expect every day.
Yeah, fair enough. I mean, your work has always had a very particular and specific point of view. And I guess my question to you is like, how important is the sense of ownership into you? So important.
Because, you know, like ownership, you kind of get to dictate your path and you get to... You run the show. I'm a bossy bitch. Like, I've been that way since I was young.
Chapter 8: What lessons does Issa hope to impart to aspiring women in the industry?
And I don't mean it in, like, the Khalees way. Like, I'm bossy. I mean, like, I need to feel like I'm in control of my own destiny. And ownership allows that. I hate, especially now, especially how volatile the industry is.
Yeah.
it doesn't kind of know what it wants to be and who it's serving. I'm very certain of that. And to be able to own that narrative and own what I make and own that lane is really important to me.
I want to kind of take it back a little bit and understand what made you the woman that you are today. So kind of going back to your childhood, I wonder what part of the little girl is still inside you now? Ooh.
That little girl growing up. Uh... The sixth grade girl is very much in there. In the sixth grade, I don't know about you, did you ever have an awkward phase in your life? Yeah, I had an awkward phase.
You think I grew up with this glam on this face? So the sixth grade me... I grew into these lips. I grew into this head.
Well, girls, that 11-year-old is in me. And I think it's just... There's just an awareness. And, you know, that like any part, any... Insecurity that remains any discomfort that I associate with the little girl me. But then the imaginative side where you're just like that person thought anything was possible. That person was like, just wait till I grow up.
And I still feel like just wait till I grow up, even though, you know, I'm grown. But yeah, in some ways I miss not having that fear. I miss not having any expectations, but my own. And yeah, like I like to play and have a good time. Though recently I've been so... Oh, I don't know. I don't know what's up with me right now. What is up with you right now? I know. Tell me. Tell me.
Diagnose me. Give me the problems. What's happening in that head of yours? I feel like you're on top of the world. Thank you. If I was diagnosing you, I'd be like, you know, she's just sitting back looking pretty with the deals flowing in and the offers happening and, you know, looking back at her work. I did that thing.
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