[Watch the video interview on Youtube here]
Film Courage: How many times do you have to read a screenplay before knowing you want to make the movie?
Ramfis Myrthil, Film Producer, Film Consultant and Speaker: It’s been different every time, it varies. There’s a project I’m involved with now called The Hearts of Men and after I read it the first time, it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read which is why I’ve been working on it the last several years and pushing it with my team. It was a no-brainer as opposed to other projects. It’s not always about the script. The script is the most important thing first, but it’s about the team. Sometimes I love the script but if the team is not a team I want to work with or I’m not the proper fit, then I won’t do the project. That’s a major variable in decision making. Then the other part that I look at is:
-[Does] the script need some work?
-Is the screenwriter willing to do rewrites?
-What is their schedule like?
-Are they easy to work with?
-Do they have an ego?
-Do they have to direct?
-Are they flexible?
The other part is that I look at it backwards when especially now more than before earlier in my career, I have to see where it’s going to go? Not to say that I will know the answer to that but I have to get an idea of how this project will get bought and seen because. It’s one thing to get the project made but if no one sees it, it’s a waste of time. I’m figuring out:
The distribution.
Where is it going to go?
What festivals make sense.
The time of the year it…(Watch the video interview on Youtube here).
BIO:
Ramfis Myrthil is a New York-based filmmaker who loves applying a city-grown work ethic to the world of film and media. He has made his name producing films made by people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community, and seeks to promote themes of passion and integrity in all of his work. A founding partner and President of Beast of the East Productions (BOTEP), Ramfis has built a successful and proven body of work as a producer. His most recent achievement, a feature film entitled Cicada (2020), won awards at several film festivals around the world and was purchased by Strand Releasing for North American distribution. Cicada was also sold to several distributors in the UK, Germany, Switzerland,France, Ireland, and several other regions for theatrical release in Fall 2021.
Ramfis got his start in the film industry when he premiered his short film Love and the Small Print (2012) at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival, where it was picked up by Shorts International for worldwide distribution. He then went on to produce a music video entitled “Any Other Way” for the legendary rock group The Zombies. After that, Ramfis got behind the feature film entitled A Boy, A Girl, and A Dream (2018), which premiered at Sundance and was acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films for theatrical release. More recently, Ramfis found great success in the Tribeca Film Festival Creators Market with his project entitled 5150 (2021), which explores mental illness in the black community. The film was executive produced alongside David Oyelowo.
Ramfis has joined as an advisor for Sundance Film Institute’s Sundance Collab producing program. There he works with a diverse group of worldwide filmmakers, develops and shares works in progress, and helps elevate the voices of independent storytellers. Ramfis’ continued success in the film industry has earned him several accolades around the world. He was named to Stars’ 2018 40 Under 40 list in 2018 and served as a recognized panelist across a variety of film festivals. Ramfis is a regular speaker at the Cannes Film Festival, the UK’s Raindance, and is an established speaker and mentor at South by Southwest. Ramfis’ passion for film is matched only by his drive for sharing his knowledge with the next generation of students, artists, and creators. In this pursuit, Ramfis has served as a judge for the 2018 BAFTA Student Film Awards, a member of PAC (Program Advisory Committee) at Five Towns College, and as an acclaimed speaker at NYU, Columbia University, Hofstra University, and HBCUs across the country. Ramfis’ dedication to giving back is reflected by his international masterclasses taught around production, financing, development, diversity, and social justice. Ramfis also volunteers with Mythic Bridge, The Parity Project, The “I Can Still Do That” Foundation, Teach for America, Schools That Can, Hofstra University’s Youth Film Day, and Blacks on Wall Street. Ramfis continues to share his experience by mentoring students on both coasts as well as working with NPower, a nonprofit organization focused on helping young graduates enter the professional world. Ramfis is an active member of BAFTA NY, The Friars Club, Toastmasters International – SEC Roughriders, a board member at The Long Island Film and TV Foundation, and is a board member at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS).
CONNECT WITH RAMFIS MYRTHIL
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