Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerri Sher.
Jerri, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
“How does a female art major from Fall River MA end up a DGA member winning two EMMY’s in Los Angeles? Yes, it was a very unusual path that I took during my three distinct careers. First, an art Professor at MA Colleges and Universities, then the first woman in the trucking industry in the Northeast Corridor.
There I negotiated freight contracts for Fortune 500 Companies around the country to haul their freight at a great rate and provide stellar service. Little did I know this was all getting me ready to be a Producer and understand everything about the teamsters. I wrote a book combining my two careers, THE TWIG PAINTER, about a woman in the trucking industry (a medical mystery) and that is how I got in the movie business. Producing, directing and writing movies, and television shows over the past 20 years has been my greatest gift. I only work on projects that will positively benefit society. A documentary short STEP UP about a homeless man, Leroy garnered me the two EMMYS. Step up on Vine and Step up on 5th provides homes for homeless folks and helps to turn their lives around. This film can be seen at www.jerrisher.com. My newest feature documentary, QUIET EXPLOSIONS: Healing the Brain will be released in November on VOD streaming on Amazon and Vimeo. Also DVD’s will be available on Amazon. It is the story about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD in athletes, veterans and civilians; the newest and unique methods that are healing these folks and providing them a new life free from anxiety and depression.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Nothing in the film business is smooth, especially being a woman. There are very few female directors who actually have work. You have to be better than any man. You have to have nerves of steel and be able to move mountains. It is my fortitude and perseverance that gives me a leg up on anyone else. There are millions of things that can and do go wrong while making a movie, so you have to be a problem solver. Just keep putting out the fires to bring a project in on time and on budget, that’s my motto…”
Please tell us about Empire Picture Corporation.
“I am known for making award-winning documentaries, feature and shorts. My positive attitude is what sets me apart from others. I always find a solution for every single bump in the road, big or small. With a smile and cheerfulness, I make problems go away. I make sure to know everyone’s name on a set and I am polite and humble. This business is collaborative and you have to be nice to everyone, regardless of their job.
I am known for getting things done against all odds. My creativity is boundless and my art background makes me freeze every frame like a painting, I care about color, texture, beauty, sound, every aspect of the 24 frames per second. I care about story and drama, I want the audience to feel something, to feel the emotion and ask questions, to think.”
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
“My perseverance and stick-to-itiveness have brought me to where I am today, with such success. There is no such thing as NO in my vocabulary. I can make anything happen one way or another. I think outside the box and come up with solutions and ideas that are not the norm. Some crew members call it a Jerri-ality. That makes me laugh. I have been described as a cross between Jodie Foster and Barbara Streisand in my directing style.”
Contact Info:
- Website: jerrisher.com quietexplosions.com
- Phone: 13233807766
- Email: [email protected]
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdN3Pfh5wRI
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/quietexplosions/posts/?ref=page_internal
Image Credit:
Chris Shelbourne
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