For each day in the month of February, the African American Steering Committee will be highlighting Local 700’s African American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Daedra Carline
What’s your job? Assistant Editor
List the credits you’re most proud of. I would have to say the “Naomi Osaka Documentary,” “Will Trent” on ABC and my Co-Editing Credit on “The Santa Clauses” S2.
What are you working on right now? I am working on “Will Trent” Season 2
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My influence is my Uncle David. He is a camera man and got me into this industry and I am so thankful for that. My mentor is my editor, Christine Kim. I have learned so much from her and she continues to push me and teach me on how to speak up for myself and gives me any opportunity she can to let me edit with her.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I am reading a book my editor gave me as a gift called “Selected Takes – Film Editors On Editing” by Vincent LoBrutto. A show I just finished watching was “American Nightmare” on Netflix. A movie I am excited about hasn’t started shooting, but it’s “Children of Blood and Bones.” I can’t wait for it to come out!
What would be your superhero name? All Dae (Get it? Because my name is Daedra. Haha)
What are your black history month memories and any cultural or historical impacts on your life? I am originally from Oregon which is maybe only 2% African American. Being mostly around white people, it was important to my parents for us to be around people of color; therefore, they worked hard to put me and my siblings in programs that prioritized diversity.
We were put in programs like the Leisure Hour Junior Golf Program, which is a program that teaches inner city black kids how to play golf. I was in this program for about 5 years and played golf throughout high school because of it. I also got an opportunity to be a part of a diverse club volleyball program, called Starlings. The program was brought to Oregon by my dad and again, it provided more affordable opportunities for kids like me. Both of these programs had positive impacts on my life by not limiting my interactions to the white-washed community around me. Being on Starlings led me to get a full ride D1 Volleyball Scholarship at Jackson State University, my HBCU, where I played and won a SWAC championship ring.
These are just a few memories I think of when it comes to black history and the personal impacts on my life and luckily it doesn’t stop there. I am blessed to have a dad so passionate about Black History, he also got me involved in another venture that will not allow the youth to forget about our history through a program called the African American Mobile Display. He created the African American Mobile Display where he travels around Oregon teaching Elementary, Middle Schools, High Schools and Juvenile Detention kids setting up displays and teaching them more about Black History.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? When I’m stressed out about work, I always think of what an AE told me when I was PAing in reality. That is, “We’re not saving lives” as in, we aren’t doctors. We make TV which is great, but working yourself up over it isn’t going to save a life. It’s better to stay calm and get what needs to be done.
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I honestly don’t know. I think I would travel to the future to see how things have changed. Have they changed for the better or the worst? I would hope for the better.
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? A little known fact about me is I was named after a WNBA player, Daedra Charles.
What’s your favorite (Black) television/movie moment? “The Butler” – When he got to meet Obama. I cried.
Was there a television show/movie that inspired you to pursue your career? Surprisingly no. I went to an art middle school, and I always remember having a class where we had to make a commercial. We got to shoot and edit the footage. From there I just fell in love with it.
What’s your personal/professional mantra? Hope this isn’t inappropriate, but I say, “Calm your sh**, you got this bi***”
What’s the last show/movie that left you speechless? “When They See Us”
What would be your dream project to work on? I would love to work on a Marvel Movie or a Star Wars show/movie. Any sci-fi show would be great!
