The Interview Q&A

Where are you primarily based out of?

I am based in Los Angeles California

What role do you typically play on set?

Director, Producer, and Actor

How long have you been working in the film industry? Where did you get your start?

20 years producing and over 20 years as a performer. I began as a professional dancer in New York City and moved to LA when I was 21 years old. My first gig in LA was being part of the original Pussycat Dolls when it was a variety show at the Roxy. From there, I produced and starred in my first feature film, "IOWA" that was an Official Selection of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Who is your biggest inspiration? What have they taught you?

Firstly, my parents and siblings are all successful in their prospective careers and I am always inspired by them. In the industry, I am greatly inspired by many female filmmakers including Ava, Lena Waithe, C. Fitz, Kathryn Bigelow, actors Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, artists Madonna & J Lo, all women that are not only exceptional at their craft but the smartest and hardest working in the room. They exude excellence and passion and I feel that is the ket ingredient to success.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Music, art, culture, travel, movies, television, books, architecture, living, loving, and exploring life as a human! There are so many things to draw inspo from but the things that I find most fascinating and inspiring are the ones done with well thought out execution and from the heart.

What’s are some of the biggest things you’ve accomplished in your career so far?

Diane starred in & produced the Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection feature "IOWA" with Rosanna Arquette, John Savage, & Michael T. Weiss. During the making of "IOWA", Foster spent five years investigating the meth epidemic in Middle America, which lead to the documentary "Dying for Meth", awarded Best Documentary at the Prism Awards and nominated alongside public service campaigns CBS' “Cares” and NBC's “The More You Know”. In 2018, Diane launched her own production company, WallyBird Productions, to create all forms and genres of media worldwide, fostering diversity and equality. Under the WallyBird banner, the company has made; "SHIRi", winner of the prestigious Stage 32 Short Film Contest and screened at Oscar qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and Raindance in the UK, "Make A Wish" directed by NBC/Universal Next Generation filmmaker Dinh Thai and accepted at over 130 film festivals worldwide, the documentary "I Am America" about the Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) and awarded a 15K grant to give back to the ICWC for underprivileged and undocumented youth as part of the Women Excel Project, and the short film, "Dissonance", that donated fundraising efforts to “The Trevor Project”, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under 25. Diane is currently working on "Easter, Bloody Easter" her feature film directorial debut. She starred in, executive produced, and directed the horror-comedy currently in post production. On speaking about Easter, Bloody Easter she says: In my career the most challenging has been changing hats from producer to director to actor sometimes all on the same project like Easter, Bloody Easter. Each is a very unique and important role on set and off, and learning how to navigate each has come with making adjustments to fit the project. I always feel that I need to keep the focus on the integrity of each role, as filmmaking is a team sport and even when my role changes, it demands my attention and my very best. Diane is committed to creating projects with diverse talent, gender equality, and creating the teams responsible for films that push the envelope with high entertainment value and substance.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? (No dream is too big!)

Taking over the world mwhaaa haaa- but in all seriousness- I see the future of having WallyBird Productions be a full fledged movie studio with a backlot and stages and spaces to film and offices to put together projects. I see myself directing, producing and actin in a variety of genres and continuing to provide opportunities for the inclusion of diversity and gender.

If you had one piece of advice for a woman who wants to get started in the film industry what it would be?

There is no one else like you and that is your super power! We must empower each other and understand there is room for everyone. Recognize how unique we all are and that everyone has something different and special to offer. Believing in each other and recognizing the strengths of others can give perspective and make you learn about yourself in the process. When things get difficult just know now that you have to keep going--I promise everything in time gets better. Keep your head high, be unapologetically yourself and, most importantly, know that you are worthy and deserving. Share and shine your light and lead with love!