Exclusive interview- Ingrid Rogers in International Video Poetry Fest

Ingrid Rogers is a well know actress, writer and producer. Born in Toronto, Canada and raised in Jamaica, West Indies, Ingrid discovered acting in high school after she co-wrote and acted in a production about South African apartheid. Her desire to master the craft, took her to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Two months out of school she landed and originated the role of Taylor Roxbury-Canon on “All My Children”. From there she went on to work with such acclaimed directors as, Woody Allen, Joel Schumacher and Brian DePalma who directed her in her starring role opposite Al Pacino and Sean Penn in “Carlito’s Way”. With numerous TV credits and national commercials to her credit, Ingrid continues to hone her love and passion for acting.

Which is the main message that you would like to point out with scenario of  the video poem Liberate, your participation in 9th International Video Poetry Festival?

HUMANS ARE COMPLEX, INTERESTING AND DIVERSE. ‘LIBERATE’ IS A CALL TO ACTION TO STEP INTO YOUR LIGHT AND CREATE UNAPOLOGETICALLY.

How does your work comment on current social or political issues? 

AS WOMEN AND ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR, IT’S IMPORTANT TO GIVE OURSELVES PERMISSION TO SHINE.

Should art used to state political, social and environmental issues?

SURE I THINK IT CAN BE DONE IN A WAY THAT DOESN’T BLUDGEON OR EVEN PREACH TO THE AUDIENCE BUT SIMPLY INSPIRES THEM TO TAKE ACTION IN THEIR OWN LIVES

Is there a connection between morality and art?

I THINK THERE IS BUT IT IS OFTEN IGNORED. ART AND ARTISTS ARE POWERFUL AND WHAT WE PUT INTO THE WORLD INFLUENCES POPULATIONS BOTH NEGATIVELY AND POSITIVELY. SO THERE’S A RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES ALONG WITH WHAT WE CREATE.

How do the arts relate to economic power and class structure?

SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE ANSWER, ART CAN BE USED BY POWERFUL  AND INFLUENTIAL ENTITIES TO EITHER UPLIFT OR ERODE SOCIETY(WHICH INCLUDES ECONOMIC POWER AND CLASS STRUCTURE)

Which is the most powerful experience that you ever had in the cinema industry?

WELL… MY FIRST MOVIE ‘CARLITO’S WAY’ WAS VERY POWERFUL BECAUSE IT WAS EXCITING AND GLAMOROUS AND I GOT TO ACT WITH SOME EXCEPTIONAL TALENTS LIKE PACINO AND PENN. HOWEVER, ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO, I WROTE, PRODUCED AND STARRED IN A SHORT FILM CALLED ‘DANCING STILL’ THAT MY HUSBAND ROBERT MUNIC, DIRECTED AND THAT WAS SUCH A SATISFYING AND ALSO POWERFUL EXPERIENCE. TWO VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES BUT EACH POWERFUL IN THEIR OWN WAY.

How have other artists influenced your sense of aesthetics?

I’D SAY THAT OTHER ARTISTS INSPIRE MORE THAN INFLUENCE MY SENSE OF AESTHETICS. DAILY I’M INSPIRED BY A PERFORMANCE THAT I SEE ON TV OR IN FILM OR A THEATRE PERFORMANCE (MOSTLY ON ZOOM THESE DAYS) OR A GREAT PODCAST ABOUT OTHER ARTISTS. THE DIRECTOR OF LIBERATE, KAIA LAVENDER, INSPIRED ME WITH HER COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT AND THE WAY SHE BROUGHT MY VISION TO LIFE.  I’M ALWAYS SEEKING TO BE INFLUENCED AND INSPIRED BY OTHER ARTISTS. THAT’S WHAT LIGHTS ME UP IN LIFE, IF I CAN INSPIRE OR BE INSPIRED

Do you have any future plans to share with us right now?

I’M ON A HIATUS RIGHT NOW, WRITING, STRATEGIZING AND ENVISIONING  WHAT MY NEXT PROJECTS WILL LOOK LIKE.

Thank you for your participation

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YOU CAN SEE THE VIDEO “LIBERATE” at the 9th International Video Poetry Festival HERE

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