Jack Pearley was awarded $20,000 from Toyota Scion’s Easy Ten Film Series to produce a short film called “Native New Yorker”.
Name: Lamont Jack Pearley
Company: Pearley Conglomerate
Crème Magazine: When did you make the tranisition from music to filmaking?
Lamont Jack Pearley: I always knew that I wanted to (for argument sake) graduate into film, I just didn’t think It would happen so quickly. I would have to say between 1999-2000 is when I began my filmmaking journey. By 2002, I was invited to be part of a writing team for a project titled “Central Park North.” At that time I began to really see the parallels in music and film, as I pursued both, film took precedence. I personally feel it’s a bigger platform to display life.
Crème Magazine: Tell us a little bit about your short film “Native New Yorker” and the support you received from Scion?
LJP: “Native New Yorker” is what I would compare as a demo record. I’ve worked on some big projects prior, but this was the first project I was the captain of a ship, with a budget. I was awarded $20,000 from Toyota Scion’s Easy Ten Film Series to produce a short film. Scion also flew me to the high-brow film festivals such as Cannes and Sundance.
Crème Magazine: You’ve recently launched a weekly radio show titled “Indie Filmmakers Talk Radio.” What is the mission behind it?
LJP: “Indie Filmmakers Talk Radio” is an Internet-based talk show my wife, Denise, and I created. It’s main goal is to promote the idea, “Write it, Shoot it, Work it.” Currently it’s next to impossible to get funding for a project, so what are you going to do? You are only a film maker if you make films. We broadcast live every Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We are different from regular talk shows because our conversation is casual, more like coffee house talk, but you always walk away edified.
Crème Magazine: Who are some people that you’ve had on the show?
LJP: We’ve had an assortment of great guests such as Monty Ross, Susan-Sojourna Collier, Eddie Pamarantz, Terence Dudley, Clayton Broomes Jr. Man, the list goes on and on.
Crème Magazine: What new projects are you and your wife currently working on?
LJP: As far as Denise, we’ve had two children back to back, so she’s on hiatis in film department. Between caring for the home and small children, she works on the radio show with me. As for the new projects, we have “Cigar Lounge: Where Men Talk,” “Relationships: Some Days are Better than Others,” “Chopping it up with Tee,” “IFTTV” and “Independent Filmmaker” - all [of which are a part of an] original web series. Not to mention our first feature film out of the organization, “King Of B,” which will be in theaters soon.
Crème Magazine: What advice would you give to up-and-coming indie filmakers who are trying to network with people in the film business and looking for financing to produce their movies?
LJP: My advice to upcoming filmmakers is: don’t ask permission, don’t take “no” for an answer, surround yourself with people – who regardless of their experience level – just want to get results. Most importantly, keep in mind that this is a business. The Pearley Conglomerate’s motto is “we’re in the business of making films.”
With that being said, there are rare occasions when you can actually get money off of an idea; it’s not impossible, but rare. However, to market your business you must have a product, your film, your script – that’s your product. Once you have that, you’re in business!
For more info on Jack Pearley’s upcoming projects visit his website.