We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Kerr Condon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara Kerr, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Making a film is, in my opinion, the most collaborative art form in the world today. I’ve worked in a great many creative arts arenas, and film is by far the most complex. And it’s not as if you can do without parts of the process if you want a successful project that the world will enjoy seeing. Most people don’t sit through all the credits that run on screen after a film has been shown. They might recognize the names of the stars, the director, and perhaps a few other positions from the film’s crew. But after that all those other names don’t ring any bells for them. And yet without all those people the film would not have been the enjoyable experience it was for them. You know the saying, “it takes a village”? Well, a film definitely takes a village, and sometimes a major city! LOL While a film is being made those people become like family. You are together for weeks, you work together, eat together, share your lives together. That is why filmmakers hire people they know and like. They are very aware they are going to spend a lot of time together. Just an average of the number of cast and crew it takes is 276 people to get the work done. Some are more complex and take far more people. It’s fascinating to me what all is involved. And if they do their tasks well, you don’t even notice any of that while watching and being caught up in the story.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

The MOST EXCITING thing I am doing right now is producing a feature film, THREE TIMES A LADY, that I co wrote and in which I will star. I wrote and produced a piece that was nominated in November 2023 by an international film festival for BEST PROOF OF CONCEPT.  I did this to create interest in a feature film version of the story. That has lead to attracting others who want to see this delightful Rom/Com feature made. So now we have investors and are bringing together an experienced and talented group for our crew and cast. The project is going to Cannes Film Market this month!  (May 2024)  What an adventure this is!
Here’s a very short idea of what the film is:
Rose, twice widowed, secretly opens a business to prove to her family and friends she’s a successful and important woman, and instead she discovers her true gifts, her real worth, and best of all, love!

Love blooms for boomers – some say life begins at 50; for others it takes a little longer.

 

I was created to be a creative! From birth God had me in situations and circumstances which allowed me to be trained to perform. There is such diversity in the opportunities I was given even as a toddler and young child. I have real life experience in radio, TV, stage, singing, and much more starting in my childhood. So much so, I thought everyone grew up that way and what I was doing was fun, but not unusual. One thing always seemed to lead to another, until eventually I ended up in Hollywood for over 20 years. Was it easy? Some of the time, but certainly not always, and certainly not when it came to being paid as a professional.

Two important lessons I learned were to do my best, to constantly listen to God’s guidance, and to not expect things to automatically come to me. If you don’t see the work you want to be doing available to you, then make your own way to do it. EX: At one point I wrote one woman plays and arranged tours with them around Germany while my husband was stationed there with the Army. When we returned Stateside, I toured in the USA with them. No one did it for me or gave me permission to do that. Under God’s guidance, I created work opportunities for myself. I have chosen to do my best to work in projects that promote a positive message and have a positive impact on society. That does not mean I will not play a “bad” person. It does mean the total story told needs to have a redemptive story to encourage and help people live the best possible life they can.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my! I’m in the Atlanta, GA area, so there are soooo many places that are great to visit! I’m a big fan of beautiful gardens and I garden myself. So on my list would be the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Calloway Gardens. Another completely different kind of experience would be to visit the World of Coca Cola. Near there is the Georgia Aquarium, which is also a blast to visit. Then there is the High Museum of Art and if there are children we would visit the Center for Puppetry Arts. Of course we’d have to take in a show at the famous, historical, and beautiful Fox Theater. For more of a bit of history, a visit to Stone Mountain, Swan House, and the Margaret Mitchell house would be on the list, along with the Black History and Civil Rights City Driving Tour and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. I can’t forget the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. The Alliance Theater offers wonderful performances of plays, dance, and musical concerts, symphony to pop. If my visitors are into film and TV we would have to work in tours for The Walking Dead, Trilith Studios, and Tyler Perry Studios. How long did you say my guests were staying? Because there is more! LOL As to food, every one of these destinations has good food nearby, so no one would go hungry no matter how long they decided to visit. LOL

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Most Important Person: Jesus! He has been the mainstay in all that I do from family to work to every part of my life. Wether I am doing well or I have messed up royally, Jesus is there with me and guiding me back to where I belong.

Other people are so numerous, it’s hard to single out just one. Some had a limited connection for a short time but left a lasting impact. Others have been long term connections and we continue to interact and help each other.

Groups: The Table, founded and run by Marc and Elaine Zicree. Actors Co op, a theater group in Los Angeles known for excellent work by professional people, of which I was a member. My church family in Los Angeles. And of course my core team working hard with me on Three Times A Lady – Executive Producer Kate Ward, key team members Bill Kritlow and Tom Carmody, Attorney Jillian Hall, Director Marty Elcan, Director of Photography Massi Trevis, and several others.

Individuals: Paul Condon, my husband, who has gone on to Glory. He was so supportive of my creative career. Pat Baker, a wonderful influence through the Performing Arts Center she ran and she hired me to be on staff. I learned so much from her. June Gray, my sister from another mother, who was my closest friend for many, many years before she went on to Glory. Eric Mofford, a producer and director who guided me in my beginning efforts to make films. Susan Shearer, a talented woman with a heart to help develop people’s abilities and confidence to do what they have been called to do. Suzanne Lyons, another mentor and teacher for people in the entertainment movie business. The list goes on and on. I think of the people who taught me about music, the drama teachers, community theater directors, and so many more over my lifetime. No one makes much progress without the help, teaching, support, encouragement, and collaboration of others.

Books: The Bible, of course. It truly is a light on my path and a lamp for my feet. The Artist’s Way was influential in getting me to leave my comfortable situation in one state and move to a challenging new way of life in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Agatha Christie novels that showed what a well crafted story is and how it captures your imagination.

These questions are HARD! I’ve had so many people who’ve impacted my life in special ways over the years. I’d hate to slight a single one of them.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-kerr-condon-6621951/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.k.condon?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMDIyOTc5MzQ5Nzc5NzIyNF8xMDQxNDQ5MzIzNzk1MzU3

Other: imdb.me/barbarakerrcondon

Image Credits
James R. Christopher all photos except Photo of me in the audience at the Awards Night for the 168 Film Festival 2023 Vanci Photography Newnan GA

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