DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER TO KNOW: MAYA TABLE
MAYA TABLE
Maya Table is an incredibly skilled producer, content creator, and budding director based in Georgia and acts as the executive producer of her production company, Sam Frank Productions, named after her grandfather. Her production credits include producing music videos for Janelle Monae, Usher, Teyana Taylor, Summer Walker and the Migos. Maya is expanding her reach in film with projects such as “Dating App,” picked up by Issa Rae, and “Hit The Road” which shine a light on tales of black love.
SHEER: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
MAYA TABLE: Hi, SHEER fam! I’m Maya Table (she/ her) your neighborhood Georgia peach.
SHEER: How would you say your upbringing and culture influence your work?
MT: My parents let my sisters and I stay kids for a long time and I really appreciate that. My mom and dad were my first muses. They still are. Most of my work is based on how I feel about them. They’re both extremely intelligent, witty, charming, endearing and hilarious.
SHEER: How do you choose the themes and subjects in your work?
MT: My themes are usually based on themes that happened in real life and then I’ll add a twist. I used to try and write only off of imagination but people would always find my random real-life stories more interesting. Dating App (short film), Hit The Road (short film) and Uncle Poochie are all based on my real life.
“My mom and dad were my first muses. They still are. Most of my work is based on how I feel about them. They’re both extremely intelligent, witty, charming, endearing and hilarious. ”
SHEER: You've garnered music video production credits from the likes of Janelle Monae, Travis Scott, Usher, and Migos. What was it like working with these major artists and what did you learn from these experiences?
MT: Often times I’m working with the director and the director works with the artist. There are a few times though where I worked more closely with the artist like with Janelle Monae, Saucy Santana and Teyana Taylor, which have all been great experiences. The main thing that you learn by working with recording artists is how to keep a secret. Confidentiality is a major key to career longevity.
SHEER: You filmed and edited the video for the powerful single "CHANGE" by Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, & Ne-Yo entirely on Zoom, which is incredible! How did you come up with this concept and how has isolation and quarantine impacted your creative process?
MT: Jermaine Dupri had a tight turnaround on this video so his team approached me with the idea of doing a Zoom style video. But I wanted to give it some va-va-voom (lol) so that it stood out from other Zoom videos. That’s been my whole mindset during quarantine. I always try and find out how I can put my creative spin on anything.
“ The main thing that you learn by working with recording artists is how to keep a secret. Confidentiality is a major key to career longevity. ”
SHEER: With success from your short films "Hit The Road" and "Dating App," what do you envision for the future of your film directing career?
MT: Before I used to be hesitant about the idea of directing a feature film but now I finally feel ready! So, in the future, I’d definitely like to direct more TV shows and feature films.
SHEER: Who are some directors/producers you admire and have influenced your work or process?
MT: Oooh, I adore music video producers Melissa Larsen, Tanya Spicer and Kareem Johnson. I have so many director favs but a few are Melina, Dave Meyers, Lacey Duke, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Ava Duvernay and Judd Apatow.
“Before I used to be hesitant about the idea of directing a feature film but now I finally feel ready! So, in the future, I’d definitely like to direct more TV shows and feature films. ”
SHEER: What advice do you have for rising female directors of color navigating the music and film industries where they are underrepresented?
MT: Stay encouraged and continue to garner your skills so that you are undoubtedly the best.
SHEER: What is the lasting impact you hope your art will have on your community and the world?
MT: I hope that my work makes black people proud.
By Tiara Starks
Zhané Aliya is a content creator based in the Nashville bringing her own flair to the fashion, lifestyle, and DIY beauty content niches while speaking in-depth about her experiences as a Black creator navigating the platform’s ever-changing algorithm.