Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Sharp.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Some people have no idea what they want to do with their lives. Some people know exactly what they want. There are pros and cons to both. Those without exact dreams and ambitions have the freedom to end up where life takes them without judgement. In my mind, it’s a freedom that is admirable and exciting. For those of us without that freedom, those of us who have always had a path and purpose and specific dreams, life does not seem so liberating. While many people tell me that I’m lucky to know what I want and have this determination, sometimes I feel like it’s more of a prison sentence. I know what I want from this life, I have known since I was 6 years old, and every moment that I’m not living that path can feel like a failure. But at the same time, every moment that I spend realizing this dream is a moment living with incredible power and conviction and a wider sense of purpose. I have always wanted to make movies and inspire change through my art, and that is what I do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Whenever art and business collide, there becomes a conflict of interest. That is the biggest struggle of making movies. They are expensive to make and require a financial return to continue making them. The best movies aren’t what make money, however, it’s the most expensive marketing. This has taken the focus away from making good art, and turned it into, “how can we trick/convince the public into spending their money on a specific movie.” The easiest way is to control their minds. To tell them what they should see, what they should like before they have a chance to think for themselves. And that is what the a large part of the movie industry is. And because the audiences are being fed what they should like, the artists are also being controlled. The producers with money who hold the monopolies on the system hire the artists that will fit into the mold that sells. Originality, true art. risk are not valued and not supported. I am an artist and I fight to keep making movies with artistic values and integrity and that is a constant struggle that keeps me on the outside of the industry.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Una Great Movie, Sharp Films – what should we know?
Sharp Films is an independent film company focused on making films that reflects society and causes people to think. “Una Great Movie” is the current feature film in the festival circuit and in distribution talks. “Una Great Movie,” is a beautiful movie about a black woman traveling in Mexico that slowly transforms into an all white romantic comedy. It’s a quirky, cerebral commentary on the Hollywood system, that is juxtaposed with a beautiful story shot in Mexico that challenges stereotype of black and brown people, and shows diverse images of beauty. As the creator, I m pushing the definitions of diversity and challenging audiences to evolve and think; all the while, making people laugh out loud by my unique comedic style. Sharp films is pushing to get “Una Great Movie” in front of more mainstream audiences, because we believe that audiences want fresh unique stories; it is a movement, not a movie. So please follow this movie Instagram, YouTube, Facebook – all @unagreatmovie, and go to the website to subscribe and follow, so when the movie is released, you can help be the push for change in the movies we see.
“The Chasing of A Great Movie,” is the story behind the movement of “Una Great Movie.” It is the inspiring documentary that follows an American woman as she quits everything to go to Mexico and chase her dream. “The Chasing of A Great Movie,” will air on Netflix December 19, 2019, so please keep an eye out for that.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My producing partner, Matthew Morgan, is a philanthropist believer in the arts who got behind this movement early on and because a key investor and later producer on “Una Great Movie.” It is because of the generosity of people with means to support and believe in artists, that allows art to keep growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unagreatmovie.com
- Phone: 310-866-5366
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @unagreatmovie
- Facebook: @unagreatmovie
- Twitter: @unagreatmovie
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