Tia Gore: Discipline, Faith, and the Art of Storytelling

From farm life to film sets, Tia Gore shares her journey of faith, resilience, and creative vision.

Photo By Shee Squared

From the farm to the film set, Tia Gore’s journey is one defined by discipline, faith, and a passion for storytelling. Growing up with early mornings feeding animals and learning the value of hard work, Tia carried those lessons through her time in the U.S. Army and into the film industry. Today, she approaches every project—whether producing, directing, or acting—with precision, respect, and a focus on completing the mission God has placed before her. In this feature, Tia shares her journey, her inspirations, and the faith that drives her creative vision.

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YV Media: You grew up on a farm in the Eastern Shore of Virginia. How did those early experiences shape your outlook on hard work and discipline?

Tia: Growing up on a farm as a kid you find it fun and stressful at the same time. I would say living this lifestyle was the beginning mold to my discipline, and scheduling, with having to get up on time to feed the animals before school was the start of my discipline. Bad enough you have to get up early to catch the bus. Imagine waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning to feed animals. But the older I get I can definitely appreciate that type of upbringing.

YV Media: What lessons from your upbringing do you still carry with you today in the film industry?

Tia: Lessons that I carry with me from my upbringing that I still carry with me would be, If you are going to do something/anything and your name is attached to it DO IT WELL. Whether it's shooting a film or flipping a burger, make them remember you.

YV Media: You served in the U.S. Army before entering the film industry. How did your time in the military prepare you for the challenges of production work?

Tia: Serving in the Us Army definitely put that extra seal on what my parents had already instilled in me when it comes to discipline, respect and being on time. I definitely look at the film world as assigned missions by completing one story at a time. If you bring discipline to handle all the personalities and to get the job done in a decent amount of time while saving the Executives money and treating everyone with respect no matter their role, you can not go wrong.

YV Media: What similarities do you see between serving in the Army and working on film sets?

Tia: Similarities that I see in production and serving in the military. Well being on time is most important. Being on time for a production is like being on time for a war. You want to be suited and booted with all necessary knowledge and equipment to be successful and ready to go. You want to know your role and the mission at hand at all times. The Script and the Call Sheets are your compass and road map.

YV Media: In 2013, you packed up everything and moved to Atlanta with just your last paycheck—that takes incredible faith. What was going through your mind at that moment?

Tia: The solo ride here in 2013 was one of CRAZY FAITH. I lost my mother in 2008 so the only thing on my mind on that 12 hour drive was doing something with my life to make her proud and knowing deep down that everything was going to work out. God lowkey showed me, without showing me, if you know what I mean.

YV Media: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when first breaking into the Atlanta film scene?

Tia: Some of the biggest challenges I face in this industry, well I don't face them. I let God face them and then I walk through when He tells me. If I focus on a challenge when it arises I know myself, I am so nonchalant it's almost sickening. I just focus on the mission at hand and let God sort through the rest.

YV Media: Was there a specific moment or project that made you realize you were officially “in” the industry?

Tia: I don't think I've had that specific moment or project that made me feel like, Ahhh I've made it in the industry. I don't think I'll ever have that moment because honestly I'm not looking to make it in the industry. I'm looking to complete the assignment God placed on my life. Because this definitely isn't the path I chose for myself, but it's the path God revealed to me when I was at my lowest and asked Him to speak to me.

YV Media: You became a certified member of the AD Team Workshop in 2017. How did that training change or elevate your career path?

Tia: Me slowing down and taking the time to invest in myself by taking the AD Team workshop put me in the position I needed to be in to reach where I am today and of course applying what I learned in that course. And to think I didn't want to take it. A good friend talked me into taking it with her. Ever since then my feet have been in motion creating and building a name for myself.

YV Media: What have been some of the most memorable sets you’ve worked on, and what did you learn from them?

Tia: Some of the most memorable sets I have worked on are those that have reached completion because in this industry that is the name of the game, no matter which role I played. It's something about being a part of a team with the same goal in mind. You know, "one band one sound". No matter my role on set I treat every set like a classroom. I go in with an open mind on learning new things and how to make myself better. No matter how much schooling you do there is always room for more.

YV Media: As someone who wears many hats—Writer, AD, Director, and Executive Producer—how do you balance all those roles?

Tia: I create balance with the many hats that I wear by creating priorities and prayer. I mean even if my hats were in a different field it's still about creating priorities and doing what works for you. I can't become great at being me if I'm trying to do it someone else's way.

YV Media: How do you stay motivated and continue to grow when the industry can sometimes be unpredictable?

Tia: I stay motivated in this industry by not trying to be on every scene. I don't submit myself to anything. I pray about everything and allow God to send me my assignments. That's how I stay motivated because I know there will be a lesson/message that I'm either going to have to give or there is a lesson/message for me to receive, and I get excited about that.

YV Media: Who inspires you creatively, and what keeps you passionate about storytelling?

Tia: The world and life itself inspire me creatively. We all have a story to tell. Some of them are sweet and innocent and some are gimey and gruesome. However they all need to be told. What keeps me passionate about storytelling is being able to see the reactions from the completed project. The ooo's and ahhh's, the good and bad criticism because when you keep going at anything, you only become better.

YV Media:  If you could create your dream project, what would it be about and who would you want involved?

Tia: If I could create my dream project, what would it be about? It would be a feature film about Melanin and the power it holds and why they are so afraid of it. If you're picking up what I'm putting down. I would love to work with those who want to work with me on the production side. Acting wise I would love to work with Whoopi Goldber and Viola Davis and oh my gosh there are so many.

YV Media:Beyond the titles and the sets, who is Tia Gore?

Tia: Beyond the set, who is Tia Gore? It's funny you ask this, I go by the name Tia Tia because I struggled for the longest time with understanding who I was without being attached to a last name. I didn't like feeling the pressure of living up to be whom I was attached to but simply figuring out who Tia was. Funny thing is I used to pray and ask God to show me who I was to Him. When I did the research on the meaning of my birth name Tia Morris (dad last name), Goodwine (moms last name) It all made sense. The way I move, how I carry myself, things I attach myself to, what I allow to attach to me. The spiritual meaning behind my name is God's Black Friend. I say that proudly because I struggled with my melanin for a long time but that's EXACTLY who I am, on set and off set. So whenever you see me, know I come in peace and love.

YV Media: What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind—not just in film, but in life?

Tia: I'm trying to leave the legacy that when you believe in yourself and you put God at the root and forefront of everything YOU CAN'T FAIL. I don't want people to follow me I want them to get connected to the TRUE LIVING SOURCE and follow HIM.

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Tia Gore’s journey reminds us that discipline, faith, and a clear sense of purpose are the foundations of true success. From her early farm days to her work on film sets and behind the camera, Tia continues to inspire through her dedication, creativity, and unwavering trust in God’s plan. Her story is a testament to the power of believing in yourself, staying true to your calling, and allowing faith to guide every step of the way.

-Written By Asia Diamond

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