Written by Kamal L. Wyatt
Big budget films are very expensive and often require directors to take a few years off between projects; smaller independent films are no different. Starting off, the amount of work needed to completely move a self produced project off the ground, some would say is even harder, not to forget all the obstacles life throws at you before, AND after a release date.
One late evening, just finished my second round of scotch. The lounge was moderately busy, the regulars engaged in conversations. In the middle of our debate, a man I thought far too young to be enjoying cigars walks over and takes a seat in the den amongst the old men. But, he wasn’t as young as I thought and before I knew it, the lounge staff was closing out, all the guests had left, yet Gregory and I continued chatting on about none other than – The Movies.
Intrigued to discover that night Gregory himself was a filmmaker and had already had shown a few projects under his own production company Edgewood Entertainment. I was impressed by his body of work. However, the most interesting examples of his work being the collection of screenplays – masterful stories in the pipeline ranging from suspense and horror, to romantic comedies, drama and TV. “One at a time, But Nikki is priority right now, I’m almost there” he expressed while closing his laptop and placing the finish of his favorite large 80 gauge Asylum 13 Medulla Medium bodied cigar in the ash tray.
“Who is Nikki?” I asked, now leaving the cigar lounge, both of us moving towards the parking lot. He explained about a building he is renovating in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas. “It’s an event facility where the members of the community can rent out to host all sorts of functions.” Nikki’s main purpose is to provides a safe place for the youth of the community. “I never had a place like this for myself growing up… It’s taking up so much, I had no time to work on any of these till now” referring to his scripts he had shown me, patting his laptop bag.
A year later from that night and 2 years later from the acquisition of Nikki’s, “She’s months away” from grand opening and one of the scripts has already led to the completion of its final casting/ audition for his most recent film project soon to be revealed.
I was invited to show up, I walked in to see a waiting room full of eager talent all whispering their lines quietly to themselves as they wait their turn. Each would be called in where Gregory positioned himself on a loveseat sofa across the sun filled room, the door is closed and each audition begins. I asked if he had a particular style to his auditions, He said he doesn’t give too much backstory to the actors, “I like for them to simply read the part to see how they give the character life”. He points at an actress in a photo he had in his hands, “You see her, I gave her some backstory, she was nervous but I really liked her look”. “Everyone does their casting calls different, I like to make the space extremely comfortable. Nothing intimidating.”, Greg said after the last candidate had left and as he thumbed through a handful of 8x10s. Gregory reflects, “This felt good, I feel like I’m back in a good space”.
