Joan Edwards, personal portfolio manager at Jamaica Money Market Brokers Limited. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Joan Edwards sits at the helm of the Personal Portfolio Management centre of Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) Limited. She has been in the financial arena since 1997.

But recently, she ventured into another realm of work; the film industry. She got the opportunity to serve as production manager for a feature film to be released this year.

A Dance for Grace is to premiere in Jamaica in December and Edwards has played an integral role in the feature especially in parts that were filmed on the island. "I met with the producers and was impressed by what I saw in the trailer; it looked like something coming straight out of Hollywood," said Edwards.

A Dance for Grace tells the story of a group of American students who decide to enter a dance competition. The prize they are after is to fund a life-saving operation for a woman named Grace, known by many and well respected.

Roadblock

To choreograph the dance, a Jamaican dance teacher was recruited. He chose a dancehall routine, however, it was proving difficult. He then decided to arrange a visit to Jamaica from the United States in order for the dancers to be exposed to the dancehall culture.

It was at that point that Edwards' organisational skills came in handy. "They needed support to arrange filming in Jamaica. They were here for two weeks and as production manager I had to make arrangements for the group's schedules and flights. I also had to scout shooting locations as well as accommodation for their two-week stay in March."

Edwards says her stint as a production manager was a success. Filming here will shed positive light on Jamaica. "The places we went to like Mystic Mountain in St Ann show a different side of Jamaica." She credits Island Car Rentals, Starfish Hotel, Air Jamaica, Boon Hall Oasis, Phase 3 Productions among others for their courtesies and support.

Local talent such as Cadillac Dancers and Black Blingaz were used to assist with the dance moves. Actor Silton 'Maas Gussie' Townsend and Tajae Smith also had a role in the film.

Following her taste of the world of film-making, Edwards is now on a mission to revolutionise the local film industry. "I want us to be at a stage where we can produce high quality films that can be of a comparable standard internationally."

She is optimistic that this is possible as she was extremely impressed by the tremendous work done by the local talent sourced during the two weeks of filming here. "Jamaica should invest more in this industry. We have so much talent here and a lot to offer. The film industry can bring in so much revenue. Recession or not, people will always watch movies. The industry needs support because talent is right here at home."

Always entertaining

Joan Edwards ... the local film industry has great potential but needs financial support from investors.

The Holy Childhood High School graduate has had a liking for entertainment and production since childhood. "I was a boarder during high school so while on holidays at home, I would put on some production to entertain my parents."

At university, she conceptualised Ms Irvine, an annual pageant competition for one of the halls of residence at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Edwards is also a coordinator of staff activities at JMMB.

"The sky is the limit and there is so much to express and so much of our culture to show off through film. I have a strong belief and with God nothing is impossible. I don't limit myself."

The feature film will be distributed in Europe, Asia, North America and the United Kingdom after its premiere in the United States, followed up in Jamaica.

Edwards is now director of Tower Isle Productions Limited and is currently working on creating a television game show as part of an effort to impact local programming and production.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com