Filming Her Daydreams

Twenty-nine year-old director Amber Sharp may be young, but she isn’t new to hard work and the fickleness of the film industry. Over the past several years, she’s worked with big- and lesser-named Hollywood directors and released two short films, one of which (Triple Minority) airs regularly on LOGO’s Best in Short Film series. Her most recent project, Don’t Go, received rave reviews from film festivals (winner of the Blue Flame award at the Oakland Black LGBT Film Festival) across the country and is now in talks to be shown on a major network.

The series features controversial topics such as a butch/hermaphrodite lesbian couple who are faced with a tumultuous decision to have a baby; a man’s decision to face his gay past as he embarks on a new relationship with a woman; and a daughter’s urge to tell her Indian mother that she is a lesbian. Sharp says the series has undergone many talks of proposed changes and re-writes, but she remains confident that it will be brought to television in its original form.

SM: What inspired you to pursue a career in film?

AS: I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I tried doing other things like working a career in corporate America, but I wasn’t happy. That’s not my passion. My passion is to tell stories and contribute to positive social change.

SM: You mention in your bio that you were a homeless as a teen. Was this because of family issues? And did it have anything to do with you coming out as a lesbian?

AS: It had nothing to do with my sexuality. It was surrounding the fact that my mother came home and she said we had to leave. So, my sisters and I all went our separate ways. I stayed in Minneapolis because I was a junior in high school. And after high school, I attended Simmons College in Boston.

SM: Are you currently preparing Don’t Go for a major network or is it still being shown at film festivals?

AS: We’re still showing it to film festivals and shopping around for networks.

SM: Have you submitted your series Don’t Go to LOGO? And do you think the network is receptive to having shows portraying the Black gay community, especially after the short-lived series, Noah’s Arc?

AS: I think it still needs to be worked on. LOGO isn’t interested, although they approached us. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s such a big budget or if they’re not interested in having people of color on the network because I’m not quite sure where their ratings were with ‘Noah’s Arc.’

SM: You also mentioned on your site that you worked with or shadowed other Hollywood directors/producers. What did those experiences teach you?

AS: The one that stood out to me the most was working with Patrik Ian Polk. During that time, I got to work with him and be his assistant when Noah’s Arc was really becoming popular and was shown heavily in the film festival circuit. I got to be there and see everything happen and it inspired me to find my own voice and have the guts to go out there and do it.

SM: Do you think the lesbian scene on the west coast differs a lot from the lesbian scene on the east coast or Midwest?

AS: Yes, there is a difference. When I was in Minnesota, I noticed that when I went to gay clubs and events, there were more people of color. And out here, you have more Caucasian folks. It’s hard to find your core group for people of color. Now, don’t get me wrong – there are clubs for us. But, places like West Hollywood are primarily white. It’s hard to find a niche here.

SM: Which presidential candidate do you think would advocate for gay rights – Hillary or Obama? And I’m only giving you those two options because those are probably the most likely candidates that would take a stance on the issue!

AS: Awe man! But, I agree with you [laughs]. I’m definitely a Democrat. I think each one skates around the issue. They all give you the answer that you wanna hear, but I haven’t heard anyone take a complete stance. I personally think that we will be okay with either candidate.