NYWIFT member Arlette Thomas-Fletcher is a multi-talented filmmaker and production executive. She has handled every creative and technical aspect of media production during her decades-long career, writing, directing, and producing her own projects and those of others.
Arlette’s 2022 western Christian film The Lonesome Trail was released in July 2022 on all VOD platforms and Blu-ray disc, and also as a hardcover book. The Lonesome Trail won 18 awards and has two nominations.
Arlette is a published author and has several books on Amazon, including her children’s book Dreamer’s Journey, which was just released. She is currently working on an animated series called The Cat Faced Cat.
Tell us about yourself – give us your elevator pitch!
I am an award-winning writer, director, and producer of family content. Also, I am an author and singer/songwriter. I love to tell stories! Whether it is writing a children’s book, singing a song, or telling a western story. I just want to entertain and motivate audiences to take a positive journey through a fantastic tale. We all want to be wowed or exhilarated by a story that is different and life-changing. That’s what I love to do for people of all ages whether it is through my books, songs, or my films.
You’re a true multi-hyphenate – directing, writing, producing, and more. Which aspect of the media industry is your favorite and why?
My favorite part of the media industry is directing. I love visually mapping out a story and seeing it come to life first in the actor’s face, and then the audience that sees the end product.
What first brought you to NYWIFT?
I came to NYWIFT because I love being around creative people. I was president of Women in Film and Video in Maryland, and I grew as a filmmaker. I am still growing and learning. I believe NYWIFT can help me expand my knowledge in the film industry and become a better filmmaker.
Congratulations on your new book! What is it about?
Dreamer’s Journey is about dreaming and exploring through a child’s imagination. The purpose of the book is to assist a child with learning what they can become in the future. It allows children to know that they can be anything they want to be in this world. It is a great book for children to read to practice and learn how to plan their dreams. The book also can be a partnership between the parent and child together discovering all the fantastic things that a child can learn and use to make their dreams come true.
You mentioned that you’ve been involved in the NYWIFT New Works Lab and that your colleagues from the Lab helped make this book happen. Can you tell us more about that? How did the NYWIFT community contribute to your creative process?
The NYWIFT New Work Lab was a great place to present my book and get an objective view from the members of NYWIFT. It helped me to rework my book and shape it into a stronger story.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope the readers will take away that dreaming is wonderful! Also, they will understand that there are so many opportunities for them to be anything they want if only they would dream. I want them to be able to see the manifestation of their dreams come true. This book will help parents and children to see this happen.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on an animated series called The Cat Faced Cat. I am also in the development of a female-focused action feature film. Further, my new book will be coming out in the coming months which is called Giving God’s Love to Others. My book for my feature western film The Lonesome Trail can be found on Amazon.
Connect with Arlette on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and follow The Lonesome Trail on its Instagram as well.
You can learn more about her personal website www.arlettethomasfletcher.com and the website for her production company, www.fruitsofthespiritproductions.com.
Check out Dreamer’s Journey on Amazon.
Katie Chambers
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