when every thing that God as promised has
come to passed. When I have accomplish all of his work through me to
become a successful Christian screenwriter, director and producer.
My inspiration to write AUGUST SWEENEY: THE MONSTER BARBER OF HARLEM.......
was after I got through watching the true
story of Sweeney Todd. I decided to become up with a different version
with a different twist that could some how incorporate biblical
principal. I made it into an urban story of redemption
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FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Jomo Merritt:
I have been writing ever since I was about
eight years old. I kinda lost touch with it and then as I got older, I
became a Christian and then got back into the swing of things and the
next thing I knew I'm writing screenplays like there's no tomorrow. I
get my inspiration form stories of the bible and what I do is come up
with modern day stories added with a little bit of my own creativity.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself
to write your script?
Jomo Merritt:
I always pray first
and then do a lot of research into the story until I feel comfortable
enough to start writing.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is
this your first script and how long did it take you to write AUGUST SWEENEY: THE MONSTER BARBER OF HARLEM?
Jomo Merritt:
This is my
fifth script and the short version only took about three weeks to
write. Later I went back a made an extended version which took about a
week or two.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Jomo Merritt:
No, not really. I just write according to the mood I guess.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Jomo Merritt:
Yes I am a very big fan of contests especially film festivals. I think
that it is a good way to get your screenplay out there in the right
hands and the more you enter these contest, the bigger your resume.
FilmMakers Magazine:
What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Jomo Merritt:
I have entered it
before and decided to give it another shot. This time I entered a
short script "August Sweeney: Monster Barber of Harlem" which was a
finalist and a treatment, "Journal of a Dinka Boy" which was the first
place winner.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Jomo Merritt:
Oh, man there is a
lot. I would encourage them to step out the box and go to all genres
but just to name one. I would say "Valkyrie". Why? Because it is well
written in my opinion.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you
passionate about and why?
Jomo Merritt:
Beside screenwriting, the only other thing
I am passionate about is my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because if
it were not for him my writing would not be as successful as it is
now.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
Jomo Merritt:
To be honest I do not have one but I have
a specialty for screenwriters that write a lot of faith based scripts,
true stories and period pieces.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
Jomo Merritt:
Without a doubt Steven Spielberg. I think
he is the best director ever! I think his talent is phenomenon.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Jomo Merritt:
I would probably love to work with Kirk
Cameron. Why? Because he is an astounding faith based actor that did a
wonderful job in Fireproof. I would also like to work with Michael
Caine because I think he is a seasoned veteran actor.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
