Jessica Bowman

For the Clock

jasmith1@plymouth.edu

Artists, authors and musicians alike will agree that getting that spark that leads down the road to stardom is the hardest thing to accomplish in any creators career. In this world it is nearly impossible to get noticed. Yet, many aspiring artists hang on and hope for the one event or product that can send their career over the edge of fame. Jamie Sharps, a 43 year old independent filmmaker from our very own Plymouth, New Hampshire is one of those souls hoping for this spark of success.

Upon first impression he has a very happy go lucky personality and dreams of high hopes for his career in independent filmmaking. Sharps has the kind of face that looks his age but shows his youthfulness in his glowing smile and crinkling eye laughter. By the end of this winter that spark of stardom may begin to glow for Sharps.

Coming late February into early March at the Flying Monkey on Main Street, Plymouth, New Hampshire is the premiere of Jamie Sharps eighth movie The Beaumonts. Sharps’ new movie is a story about a family of century old vampires who are trying to fit into a small town while also being targeted by a duo of vampire hunters. Sharps has had this movie in the works for about a year now and is excited to finally be in the final stretch of its cutting and editing.

When interviewed about his new movie Sharps said, “I like to throw in a little comedy too. My friends will say ‘Oh I don’t want to watch your movie if it’s scary’ and I tell them well that is why I add comedy, so anyone can enjoy it really.” More often than not Sharps’ style of writing comes with an added touch of satire. Although his movies are classified as horrors, he likes to lighten the mood and make them more self aware.

This unique mixture of writing leaves Sharps’ films with a kind of meta-ness that allows for larger messages to be pushed through. In The Beaumonts Sharps admits there is an underlying subplot of drug use which, by the end of the movie, is addressed and rectified with one character’s decision to dispose of his drugs for good.

But The Beaumonts is only the newest of Jamie Sharps’ films. Currently he’s written four movies, edited seven and filmed eight. Born and raised in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, Jamie Sharps recalls it was Raider of the Lost Ark that fueled his filmmakers muse. Since that movie, along with influences from other great 80’s films Sharps has been producing movies in any way he can. Which for an independent filmmaker is often a lot harder than it would seem on the surface.

When he was younger and not yet declared as an independent filmmaker Sharps would employ the help of his younger sister, Kelly and her friend Julie, to play parts in short skits that he would write.

Back in the 80’s Sharps had a VHS video camera that he used to film his skits. When receiving an education from New York Film Academy he wrote and produced three short black and white films-about five minutes each. Still, Sharps admits that his first professionally produced film was one called Half-Dead. Released back in 2005, four or so years after joining New York Film Academy. When questioned about his previous works Sharps said; “That one [Half-Dead] was a long time ago and I think I’m getting better. The quality of my films is improving.”

Improving indeed it is. Sharps has never received lower than a 6.1/10 on IMDb among his most recognized titles. Things are looking up for Sharps Films even now. “There’s a lot of shameless self-promotion.” Sharps says, leaning over as his eyes crinkle with laughter.

When anyone puts in as much effort as Jamie Sharps for his mov- ies I would call the self-promotion not only smart but needed. To be independent in making films means that Sharps is in charge of his cinematography, the editing or cutting, the makeup, the costumes, the lighting and sometimes the music and sound department. Include just about everything else that goes into making movies and Sharps has earned his right for self-promotion.

Major motion pictures do not just have a team of people working on a movie, they throw millions of dollars into set design and locations. All the money that goes into Sharps movies usually comes out of his own pocket, likewise being independent means that he can not afford to pay his actors for the work they do. “The hardest thing is getting them to show up.” Sharps says with a laugh.