WHEN we hear the name Yaphet Jackman, the days of Upscale Poetry Night usually come to mind.
But even before this beloved event, Yaphet has been passionate about film production. “Many people don’t know, but I’ve been producing films, documentaries, infomercials and the like since I was 13, which was when I first learned to use the camera,” Yaphet told The Buzz.
Now a second year student in his Master’s Programme at the Ohio University, Yaphet is enhancing his passion for filmmaking, in the hope of contributing his knowledge to Guyana’s fledgling film industry in the near future.
SOLOMON DASKO
But first, Yaphet must get through his second year; and to do that, he must complete the challenging task of directing his own film. He has chosen the film, Solomon Dasko, which follows a recovering heroin addict who is bent on fulfilling his dream of becoming a blues singer.
The film is written by Eulonda Kay Lea, a writer from Washington D.C. whom Yaphet met at the Athens International Film and Video Festival at the Ohio University a year prior.
“When I read the character breakdown, I knew I wanted to create a story for this character,” Yaphet said. “It was a learning experience for both of us, but especially for me, in the area of collaboration, because I have never worked so closely with someone to build a character breakdown. And that has its own challenges and advantages.”
CHALLENGES
Speaking of challenges, a major hurdle that looms ahead of him is that of raising funds for the film. As a student, Yaphet must depend on donations for such excursions, so as to have a complete production. He admits that, thus far, funding has been pretty slow; and with the February 19 production day fast approaching, he hopes that gaps can be filled, so as to be able to have the right equipment and a comfortably compensated crew.
“I launched around the holiday season, and of course, people have obligations and commitments. So, as much as I wanted to be aggressive with the campaign, I was very considerate as it relates to that,” he said.
Yet, he’s received tremendous support, which includes his Guyanese supporters. “People have been very gracious and giving, and I have had a lot of support in sharing the campaign, but I still have a long way to go,” Yaphet said.
His campaign in Guyana, he says, has been different from what obtains overseas, so as to allow interested persons who may not have credit-card access to still be able to contribute to his cause.
Said he: “I have received a lot of promises of support from the Guyanese faction. I know there are people who stand by me; I know I have that moral support. I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers; it means a lot, because it helps me get out of bed and push a little further. But it would also be great for that to translate.” But, with or without the funds, the show must go on, and he’s made up his mind that he will make do with what has been donated and affirms his utmost appreciation for it.
Later this year, Yaphet will return to Guyana to assist in the filming of local productions, by collaborating with the likes of Kojo McPherson and other budding local filmmakers.
Yaphet states that though the overall learning experience is taxing, the knowledge taken from this experience will no doubt place him in a position to better be able to make a worthwhile contribution to Guyana when he ultimately returns.
