Life & Work with Franchesca Davis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Franchesca Davis.

Hi Franchesca, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a screenwriter, playwright, film, television, and commercial actress. I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.

I always had a true passion for acting, and I remember my light bulb moment like it was yesterday. I was on stage for a middle school play and we did the Wizard of Oz. I had the pleasure of playing the Wicked Witch of the West.

I was such a shy and quiet girl but the moment I got on stage, it was as if my quietness disappeared! I was in the MOMENT truly and immersed myself in the world on stage. From that point on, I knew that this path was meant for me.

In high school, I participated in the debate team and traveled for competitions while remaining involved in the school’s drama club and doing short plays. In college, I majored in English and Communications but participated in various plays throughout my tenure. It wasn’t until I graduated that I made the decision to move to New York City, where I resided there for 7 years. While I was there, I participated in a sketch comedy troupe that did stage productions of Harlem’s: In Living Color at The Broadway Comedy Club in New York City.

I went on to write my first screenplay titled: Tsunami which went into production in July 2021. It is the debut production from my company CHES Productions (Creating. Harmonic. Everlasting. Stories). It got officially selected to be screened in the Kansas City International Film Festival and Queens Underground Film Festival in New York City.

My next development will entail a play titled: Life’s Imperfections that will be produced and performed on stage in the greater Atlanta area. I also went on to star as the lead in How To Fold A Fitted Sheet, a film festival selected LGBT short film that is on Amazon Prime.

At this point in my journey, I am looking forward to NEW projects and realizations that will help me to continue to thrive and I can’t wait to continue creating and producing meaningful content for the world to see.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe that all journeys worth taking have some difficult paths. Where I am at today did not come with ease, and even now I know that I still have many more to accomplish. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to learn and experience.

I went through a small phase of depression at one point in time. I was surviving and not living. I lost sight of myself and my art. I had to come back home to recenter myself and focus on what really mattered. And because of that, I was reignited with the motivation to succeed. I thank God and the support I have around me for that.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is always an interesting question to answer. When I lived in New York, the main question was “What do you do?” I never knew how to answer because what I “do” encompasses many things. My first love is acting/performing while my next love is acting and being able to create amongst it all is something that drives me.

I am most proud of bringing people together in order to get inspired and create. When I first moved back to Kansas City, most of my childhood friends had moved away so I was basically starting from scratch. I took it upon myself to create a group called, “KC Film Group” on Facebook. I wanted to give myself and others the opportunity to meet other creatives in the area, collaborate, film content, and have fun overall!

It was then, that I met my creative “tribe.” From that point on, we went on to create content that blossomed from a concept into a movie. Looking back from that point, I see the people that I introduced to each other collaborate and work on additional projects together, and seeing that warms my heart.

I love connecting with people and forming new relationships. And it makes me proud to see that come to fruition.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned to face “fear” and “doubt” straight on.

I used to let my doubts get the best of me, but I like to feel the fear and do it anyway.

That mindset has taken me a long way. If I want to do something that is giving me butterflies in my stomach, I take it as a good sign for me to move forward and accomplish whatever it is that I want to accomplish.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.franchescadavis.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/_iamchesca
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=ches%20productions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzvoT9UojnGzGSNaoCMmyJw

Image Credits
Adriana M. Tonga