Local filmmaker Edmund Darris brings ghouls and goblins home
Lydia McGhee
For the St. Louis American
St. Louis native Edmund Darris is an up-and-coming producer in the process of completing a series of horror movies geared toward urban audiences. Darris along with partner Paul Jackson established Screen Jewels Productions, which has produced several spine-tingling vignettes featuring local artists and horror themes with an urban twist. He has been featured in the Hollywood Reporter and The L.A. Times.
Darris has a tremendous passion for horror films. He felt there were not enough thrillers featuring black actors and themes. Filming entirely in St. Louis, Darris converts local hotspots such as Hadley’s and Gene Lynn’s into hot sets and scenes. Each short film lasts about 30 minutes and features an array of local actors and musicians.
In addition to introducing fun and new themes, Darris’ films are well written, crafted and produced. So well crafted, in fact, that Darris was offered a production deal with Echelon Entertainment. While the details of the contract are currently under negotiation, when finalized the films will likely air at film festivals ranging from local St. Louis exhibitions to the famed Cannes Film Festival in France.
“To get the best quality output, you have to use the best equipment, and I was lucky enough to have excellent resources that enabled me to have access to the best equipment,” said Darris.
Darris’ most recent work, titled, Going Off, features local actors Toni Lynn as Jasmine and Tanarrio Alexander Martin as Mellow in the lead roles. Lynn’s character along with the help of her best friend and accomplice, played by Danielle Searcy, teaches Martin’s character a hard-earned lesson about love and retribution. The film, set in a luxurious mansion, upscale beauty salon, and St. Louis’ streets, takes viewers on a frightening ride as the love triangle leaves the trio in an interesting predicament.
In his film Friends, two girls reunited after an unexplained separation learn about the evils of money and the damage it can do to a friendship. Cyber Luv gives audiences a peek into the virtual world where love and technology meet. Problems arise when the virtual world blurs the line of reality.
All of the films are scored with musical accompaniment by Darris, who belongs to several local bands. Beyond watching for ghouls and goblins, it is interesting for locals to try to identify the areas and venues shown in the film. Viewers will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and performances in his films.
Darris is always seeking interested actors. “Finding people who are interested and committed to the project can be difficult.” Darris has had “cattle calls” to seek talent for his films. He now finds it more fruitful to find people on an individual basis. Acting experience is not required as the director has actors undergo extensive rehearsals and training.
Darris is a 1975 graduate of Sumner High School and majored in communication and music at Saint Louis University. He was employed by McDonnell Douglas for 20 years before retiring to pursue his film and musical interests. After living in Chicago and New York, among other major U.S. cities, the filmmaker returned to his hometown with a determination to produce quality films here. His films are due to be released nationally in late 2006. For more information, contact Edmund Darris at (314) 315.1036 or at edmund_darris2005@yahoo.com.
