Amplifying Trans Narratives with Giselle Ariel Bleuz
Giselle Ariel Bleuz is a filmmaker, actress, media educator and writer who utilizes her talents to move the needle on representation for LGBTQ+ and GNC communities. Her creative vision has been recognized with accolades such as GLAAD Rising Stars award presented by Netflix (2019), Buzzfeed and Huffpost’s trans filmmakers to recognize lists, and the Soros Justice Fellowship (2018) and more. Bleuz began her filmmaking career in 2014 as a video producer with Global Action Project, a social justice media-arts leadership program aimed at developing the skills of young people most affected by injustice. Finding her voice in her craft, Bleuz has directed, written, and acted in six short films —including critically acclaimed, “Over Stigmatized”. She’s also the founder of Trans Resistance Through Media (TRTM), a program and production company aimed at uplifting trans and GNC youth voices. We’re so excited she shared more about her work with the Light Leaks!
On Her Life
What sort of art inspired you as a child?
As a child I was always Into Singing, Dancing and Creating my own stories. I loved storytelling I was into reading books but I was even more Into writing my own. I would often win plaques and trophies for my creative writing in my early school days.
What are the tools or practices that can help young creators?
Doing it often, I think the more you do it the better you get at it, Try to create something every day. Learn yourself and do what you love.
How have you adjusted goals as your career grows and changes?
I started off just wanting to act, but being apart of film programs like Global Action project I shortly learned that I can do so much more while also fighting for my community.
Who do you admire in Hollywood and why?
I look up to Ava Duverney and Issa Rae I think when it comes to directing and creating they both have a great eye for it. They are both fighting for people of color to have more roles on tv and film and I’m trying to do something similar for Trans women of color.
What’s a piece of art that inspires you as an adult?
I'm always Inspired when Beyonce’s Music drops I always find myself relating to what she is saying so much and love how she empowers women. I'm also a huge fan of Stranger Things on Netflix.
On Global Action Project
Can you talk a little about Global Action Project’s purpose?
GAP gives voices to the Youth of marginalized communities. Youth make media, grow their leadership, and create innovative stories that promote and amplify movements for social justice from low-income, new immigrant, TGNC (trans and gender non-conforming) and LGBQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Queer) communities
What is your role at Global Action Project?
At GAP I run Trans Resistance Through Media, I'm creating Media pieces that speak to the Trans community. With TRTM I was able to Hire over 10 trans people as we made a film together. Many of the Trans folks were learning camera work, directing and acting for the first time.
What has been your most rewarding experience at Global Action Project?
So many awesome films came out of my work at GAP training my peers, other youth and young storytellers. Seeing the films come to life is incredible. I was able to co-write, direct and act in a few films while being a facilitator and media educator for Supa friends our LGBTQ media arts program.
Why are youth-focused arts programs important?
Youth-focused arts programs are important because young people need spaces where they can create and be themselves and express themselves. I first started in a media program because I was not seeing myself on tv and being able to create films, show and musical pieces that told a more truthful story of Trans people has been important for me.
How can individuals support the Global Action Project?
You can log on to our website and donate as much as you can anything helps: https://www.global-action.org/wishlist
On Trans Resistance Through Media
What are your goals with TRTM?
I'm hoping that in the next few years TRTM will become a production company making Trans lead TV shows, Trans Films, and music. I hope It will act as a starting point In a Trans Person's career as GAP was for me.
What have been your favorite experiences with TRTM?
My favorite experience has been creating the film “OverStigmatized The Stigma Stops here”. It is my first feature-length film and it really challenged me in many different ways. I think it was one of my biggest learning experiences as a filmmaker.
What content do you want to create through TRTM?’?
With TRTM i'm hoping to create Tv shows Music and Films all lead and produced By Trans and GNC people.
How can cisgender individuals uplift the work of trans creators and the trans community?
I believe we should support each other's work. I believe Cis people need to keep their minds open to learning and support films and tv shows that have us in the cast and help us keep out work going. Our work can go so much further if Cis people are willing to learn about it and share it with their friends.
How did it feel to be recognized by GLAAD (and Netflix!)?
It was such a great honor that I am able to do something I love while in the hopes that It will help change the way people see my community. For a big organization like GLAAD to see the work, I’m doing and want to support that work and then to get one of the biggest streaming platforms to present the award to me, was magical it was an amazing honor and opportunity.
On Her Workflow and Creativity
What was your career trajectory like? How did you find film as a mode of creation?
I started off just wanting to act but there were not many roles out there for me. When there were roles, it was often lead by Cis people and I would often not get picked because I was too advanced in my transition and or told I was too passable for certain roles. So finding GAP was just what I needed to be able to find a community and wrote roles that showed Trans people in realistic forms and not just some Cis white person writing what they think it is like to be Trans.
Is there a particular project you’re most proud of?
I would say some of the films that came out of GAP’S Supa Friends Program Overstigmatized, The Core, and Ella for prom Queen. I think they all tell stories of Trans people that have never been told before and in genres, they have never been told before.
Where did you learn your technical film/video skills?
When I started off as a youth in GAP’s Supa friends they taught me everything I needed to know and I am able to do the same, teach youth what I have learned When I first started in the program.
What role can all creators serve to create a more accepting future through media?
I think the stories have to be accurate, It has to speak to and for the community, you are fighting for and uplifting. It has to showcase the beauty you see in it so that others can see it as well.
How has your storytelling changed through time?
I first started writing stories from a heterosexual perspective but over time I accepted myself and started writing more Queer stories and as I became more aware of Trans rights and Trans activism. Trans people often became the star of my stories. I'm no longer just telling stories but creating change in my community and showcasing Trans and GNC people in a more positive and accurate light.
Follow more of Giselle’s work at:
https://www.global-action.org/
https://twitter.com/bleuzberry?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/transresistancethroughmedia/?hl=en
https://filmfreeway.com/GisellearielBleuz