CREW
Writer, director Amber Sharp began directing her daydreams at the age of five. Later as a graduate of Project Offstreet, a program for homeless youth, Amber's drive and determination led her to graduate from the Arts High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, despite being on her own since her junior year of high school.
While studying English and African American Studies in college, the budding writer-director decided to share her daydreams with the world by becoming a filmmaker. To master her craft, she enrolled and graduated from the USC School of Cinema. Amber's USC thesis film, "Triple Minority," has been an audience favorite at numerous film festivals, including the 2006 Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, 2006 London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and Frameline 30: San Francisco International Film Festival. The film was awarded the audience award of Best Female Short Film in the 2006 Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The film recently premiered on MTV's LOGO cable channel and appears on the web as part of The Click List: Best In Short Films on www.logoonline.com. Wolfe Video, the leading distributor of gay and lesbian film, will distribute "Triple Minority" as part of their 2007 Best of Girl Shorts compilation DVD.
Since graduating from USC, Amber has worked with such industry heavyweights as Patrick Ian Polk ("Noah's Arc"), Kasey Lemmons ("Caveman's Valentine"), Edmonds Entertainment, and Debbie Allen ("Fame"). As the principal of A.Sharp Productions, she is building on her industry experience as she enters pre-production of her original television pilot, "Don't Go."
Hailing from the Midwest town of St. Louis, Terry has spent the last nine years refining his craft as a producer, writer, and director. In 2001, he was accepted into the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television. During his education at USC, Terry produced several short films, including "Triple Minority." He also directed many shorts, including his thesis film "Soul Mates," which he also scripted.
Since receiving his MFA in Production from USC, Terry has gone on to work on professional sets as a production assistant and in various capacities in production offices. He has written several unproduced works including two feature screenplays, a television mini-series, and a television series pilot. Currently residing in St. Louis, he continues writing other works while gathering local resources for the production of his screenplay.
Jean received her MFA in Film Production from the USC School of Cinema-Television, where she concentrated her studies in cinematography. Both as a student and upon graduating, Jean has shot many projects, including several USC thesis films, independent narrative shorts, and independent documentaries.
Prior to film school, Jean attended the University of California, Davis, where she earned a BA in Women's Studies, with minors in Asian American Studies and Film Studies. It was there, as a member of a feminist video production collective on campus, that she developed her interest in filmmaking. Most recently, she has received the honor of becoming a Film Independent (formerly "IFP/LA") Fellow through the Project:Involve program, receiving mentorship from cinematographer Alexander Gruszynski.
Ayana McNair became involved with "Triple Minority" at the behest of her good friend, Amber. Ayana's true leadership abilities shined on set - she was able to keep everyone in good spirits while making sure the production was moving along and staying on track.
Ayana is a native of East Oakland, California. She is currently working on a doctorate in Critical Studies at the School of Cinematic Arts (formerly known as "the School of Cinema-Television") at the University of Southern California. Her academic interests include the intersectionality of race and class, audience reception, and state force. Her current addictions include "The Office," celebrity gossip, and glazed donuts.
