My Sundaze with Tema Staig

by | Feb 5, 2023

Woman with red hair

Tema Staig is a Jill-of-all-trades in the film industry. As a Producer, Production Designer and all-around film aficionado who later became the Executive Director of Women in Media, her life as a creative centered on building parity in the industry.

As an educator and activist, she sought to correct this by simply starting a networking group and it started with a Google Docs contact sheet that evolved into a goal that changed the norm in Hollywood.

For this week’s column of Sundaze, our Editor, Cyan, sits down with Women in Media’s Tema Staig and talks about her most profound learning experience ever, her hidden talent, and the biggest passion she has.

What are you most grateful for?

Through my work, I’m in a position to learn a lot and meet incredible people making great art.

Sweet or Savoury?

Savoury.  Absolutely.  I even like my sweet a little savoury.

Most profound learning experience ever?

That some people would rather live in their closely held beliefs and egomania than make money.  If that weren’t true, theatrical releases would have more women and gender nonconforming folks (especially POC) as directors and in the creative crew positions. The data is there. The features with inclusion in front of, and behind the camera make MONEY.

Some folks in the entertainment industry would rather see guys fail upward (and support them with massive prints and advertising), than give those opportunities to women who are making better movies with higher returns.  Just a small recalibration in the system, and they would gain a much bigger market share (hello, 52% of the population).  That isn’t to say that women shouldn’t be allowed to fail as badly as some of the guys do. Historically, many women directors went to “director jail” – television after simply breaking even on a theatrical release.  It’s not a bomb when a well-liked man does it.  It’s no surprise that tv is now where the prestige and viewership is.

Name the biggest pet peeve you have. It can be anything and it’s no-holds-barred.

Apparently, I have a challenging name to pronounce. Even after I tell some people how to say my name, (Teh – mah) they continue to call me Teemah, Tammy, Thelma, Tay-mah, Tamar…..you name it, I’ve heard it.  Sometimes, they will even question how my name is pronounced, even though I clearly am an expert in how to say it.  It borders on silly sometimes.

Who is your fictional superhero/idol?

Ripley from Alien is hands down my favorite fictional superhero. She is smart, resourceful, and knows when protocol is a good thing.  If only the captain of the Nostromo had listened to her, well… I guess we wouldn’t have a movie!

What is your biggest weakness and strength?

I need to consciously take more time off.  I get irritated during the Holiday Season when other people aren’t available, and I’m dying to plan, create, and get the new year started.  I think everyone else has it right – taking time to recalibrate and take a break is not a bad thing at all, I’m just not good at it.

My biggest strength is the passion I have for my work.

What’s your hidden and weird talent that no one, not even your partner knows about?

I was a club DJ who worked at Studio 54 and The Monster.  It’s one thing to tell people that, but until they actually see you beat-match vinyl, they don’t fully believe it.

What is a trend that you wish to obliterate forever?

  Autotune.

What did you want to do with your life at the age of 14?

I wanted to draw all day.  I actually got into trouble with my 6th-grade teacher because I’m a tactile learner.  He thought that I wasn’t paying attention because I was always drawing. What he didn’t understand was that If there was a pencil in my hand, I could inhale the information.  One time, he asked me what he had just said, and I regurgitated it back to him perfectly.  It made him so mad that he dumped all the stuff that was inside my desk on the floor.  By that I mean, he picked it up and shook the contents out of it.  It was very dramatic and shocking for the class.  I was mortified, but also kind of amused.  It was a pretty strong reaction from an older person having a misplaced tantrum.  I learned that adults aren’t always able to check their emotions.  That being said, he was one of my favorite teachers, because he would challenge us intellectually, and held us to a high standard.  I’m glad that school teachers are still intellectually rigorous, but have learned that people have different styles of learning that can be an advantage, not a hindrance.
For more on Tema & Women in Media:

instagram: temastaig 

Women in Media:

-instagram  -womeninmediainc

 

You Might Also Like

Robyn Newmark Hollywood Beauty Guru

My Sundaze with Robyn Newmark

by | Mar 19, 2023 | Featured,Home,Lifestyle,SUNDAZE | 0 Comments

NAME Robyn Newmark OCCUPATION Founder of Newmark Beauty "I'm an LA girl who got my start at the young age of 16 when I was discovered doing prom make up for my friend...

DIego Torres Palma

My Sundaze with Diego Torres – Palma

by | Mar 19, 2023 | Culture,Featured,Home,Lifestyle,SUNDAZE | 0 Comments

NAME Diego Torres - Palma  OCCUPATION Entrepreneur Diego Torres-Palma is an entrepreneur who leads his real estate firm, Ventana Ventures, with a forward-thinking,...

EIN PRe oscar charity gala

EIN and the DriveH2 Movement Roll Out the Green Carpet for Pre-Oscar Gala

by | Mar 14, 2023 | Celebrity,Culture,Events,Featured,Home | 0 Comments

Last weekend, Energy Independence Now (EIN) and a gathering of eco-conscious celebrities, athletes and thought leaders convened at the Petersen Automotive Museum the...

British M Shines as a Star-worthy Gift at the Oscar’s Gifting Suite

by | Mar 13, 2023 | Featured,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

British M, the luxury hair product line favored by celebrity stylists and fans of buzzy Korean-made brands, was a star-worthy gift at the invitation-only official...

erin williams Sundaze

My Sundaze with Erin Williams

by | Mar 12, 2023 | Featured,Home,SUNDAZE | 0 Comments

NAME Erin Williams OCCUPATION Publicist It's Sunday, the one day of the week when everyone isn't doing anything. Besides resting, what's your favorite part of it?...

Los angeles inquisitor | How Social Media Transformed The Beauty Industry

How Social Media Transformed The Beauty Industry

by | Mar 9, 2023 | Celebrity,Featured,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

The cosmetics industry market is a multi-billion dollar business which has seen a record-high rise in demand in the last ten years. The current value for the cosmetics...

Elijah Van Zanten

My Sundaze with Elijah Van Zanten

by | Mar 5, 2023 | Featured,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

NAME Elijah Van Zanten OCCUPATION Artist, Model, and Actor " Gym rat in the morning. Model in the day. Couch Potato in the evening. Artist at night." What are you most...

Casey Winchell Napolitano

My Sundaze with Casey Winchell Napolitano

by | Mar 5, 2023 | Featured,Home,Lifestyle,SUNDAZE | 0 Comments

NAME Casey Winchell Napolitano OCCUPATION CEO of NDA Real Estate  and Super Mom  Fun fact: Casey is the great-granddaughter of Verne Winchell of Winchell’s Donuts What...

Hollywood Gets Real with Egg-Freezing

by | Mar 3, 2023 | Celebrity,Featured,Home | 0 Comments

Amongst the many things Hollywood keeps mum about — women’s fertility is one of these prevalent issues.  Jennifer Aniston led the way with her honest and intimate...