I am a filmmaker born and raised in South Florida, and a first-gen American from Jamaican & Chinese Jamaican parents. I attended film school at Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida and currently in school again for my MFA in Screenwriting. I am a mother of a beautiful 10-year-old boy, Tahj. Aside from screenwriting and filmmaking, I love to read and paint or draw or create anything practical with my hands.
indieactivity: Why did you get into filmmaking and screenwriting?
Jhé Ferguson: I didn’t grow up in the best environment. I am the oldest of 5 and was raised in a very toxic and violent home. I felt useless and helpless. I began to write stories to help me escape my reality. I became a selective mute in school also. I have been writing stories since I was a little girl to escape the toxic atmosphere I was raised in. I created worlds where I was the hero, the warrior, the savior, because it was the only place where I could actually help and be in control. I have been connected to the world of magic since a little girl. I feel as if it was a part of me and the ancestors have woken me up to guide me down this path.
indieactivity: How does an indie filmmaker distribute his/her film?
Jhé Ferguson: This is an area that I am still figuring out myself as I haven’t distributed anything yet. A lot of articles I’ve read suggest many easy distributions like Seed & Spark, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
indieactivity: When does an indie filmmaker need to start planning for distribution
Jhé Ferguson: Again, I am still researching distribution myself? However, though we are in pre production stage, we are still researching possible productions, this helps tailor our content to networks/platforms that we would want to see our project on.
indieactivity: How can filmmakers finance their projects?
Jhé Ferguson: Crowdfunding has helped my first project. I raised $3,500 for my first short film (the goal was $2,500) on Kickstarter. However, we launched a campaign on Seed & Spark which didn’t make its goal so we are recuperating and revamping our marketing techniques to launch again via Indiegogo.
indieactivity: What films have you written?
Jhé Ferguson: I’ve written my first short, Mental in 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-J8_cOsn24
indieactivity: What are the films that you have made?
Jhé Ferguson: Mental
indieactivity: Talk to us about your concept on collaboration?
Jhé Ferguson: I like collaboration because you get to bounce ideas. I like merging ideas to create an even better idea. Two brains are better than one.
indieactivity: How do you find the process of filmmaking as an indie filmmaker?
Jhé Ferguson: Trying. It’s very trying because there are so many times you want to give up. You feel like you’re not getting anywhere, like you’re not doing enough. Social media doesn’t make it any better as well. Funding is a huge part because it costs so much money to get your production at quality status. Film festivals cost are high—equipment, locations, actors, props, etc. It all adds up; but in times like those, I just remind myself why I started. I know where I am, I know where I want to go, I just have to decide the best route to get there.
indieactivity: Describe your recent work, or film?
Jhé Ferguson: I’m very meticulous when it comes to pre-production. I try to have all my ducks lined in a row, locations secured, dates locked, cast locked, etc. During production, I try to adhere to our shooting schedule, but you always have to expect the unexpected. I always have a solution and a backup plan when thing go haywire. Filmmaking teaches you how to think quickly and make decisions on the fly.
indieactivity: What are your future goals?
Jhé Ferguson: My future goal is to have my web-series picked up by a major broadcast or streaming network. I want to direct and write some more films as well in the fantasy/supernatural genre.
indieactivity: Tell us about what you think indie filmmaker need in today’s world of filmmaking?
Jhé Ferguson: Support. We need support. There aren’t much grants out there for web-series also, or even short films. I see a lot of grant opportunities for documentaries and features. However, a filmmaker is not going to start big [normally] with features. I think more support on filmmakers making shorts will help out a lot.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Jhé Ferguson: I am still starting off. I have a few little projects that I am working on. I have written and directed my short, Mental, which follows a Jamaican-American who is struggling with keeping his faith and schizophrenia. I am the Director of Photography for a new upcoming web-series, Nic Jones. I am currently in pre-production for my magical web-series, Juju: The Web Series. We are looking for funding.
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