Crappy: Sheri Lawrence..you are an actress. Sheri Lawrence: Yes, so I've been told! ~laughter~ I also enjoy writing comedy sketches. Happy to say that one of my skits was recently performed at the Coconut's Comedy Club in St Petersburg FL. Also, someone must think I know a lot about cars! I'm currently under contract with Cadillac as one of their spokesmodels on location at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Crappy: What would you say the drawbacks and benefits are of the low budget format? Sheri Lawrence: The obvious drawback with any low budget project is not having the proper funding to make life easier on the cast and production crew. For example, having dinner breaks at Olive Garden as opposed to chips & dip! Seriously, having the funding to afford the right equipment makes even the unprofessional finks out there look good. The benefit of working with a low budget is learning to improvise, using your imagination to create your vision and acquire a taste for cold pizza. Crappy: You also have a premiere coming up...of a movie called "Filthy." What's that all about? Sheri Lawrence: A brief synopsis: When WMIA news reporter Dana Diamond goes in search of the ultimate story she gets more than she bargains for. On a riot-torn Halloween night (Devil's Night) Dana is lured into an old, decrepit house by Leonard, a sadistic transient, promising her real-life violence she can capture on camera. Inside, her worst nightmares are realized, as she now becomes the ultimate story. Dana is kidnapped by Leonard's crazed, incentuous family; Fermentia, the matriarch, and Pussey, her daughter, who live in a house full of stinking, rotting, decades old-garbage. I had the pleasure of playing Fermentia (named for her odor) in this; my horror film debut. The premiere was May 31, 2003 at the Saints and Sinners III Film Festival hosted by Renegade Films. Crappy: What advice would you give to a newcomer? Sheri Lawrence: Stay focused and never give up on your dream. Surround yourself with people in the business that you can trust and learn from. Then take that knowledge and share it with someone new to the biz. If you choose to take the other road and climb the ladder of success while stepping on others, remember you'll eventually meet up with them again on your way down. Kindness goes a very long way and in the end will guide you in the right direction. No one wants to be associated with FINKS! Crappy: Where will we see Sheri Lawrence in 5 years? Sheri Lawrence: Hopefully alive and well! ~smiles~ Doing my part contributing to Florida's entertainment industry. Crappy: Did I forget anything? Sheri Lawrence: We all know this is a tough business, very competitive. I've been so fortunate to meet and work with so many wonderful and talented people over the years. Many unforgettable friendships were formed and will continue to grow into the future. Thank you, Sheri, for this interview...I wish you continued success and look forward to seeing more of your movies! Please visit Sheri on the Web at her official site: |
Crappy: Now, from your website, you've acted in a ton, an absolute ton of independent movies. Have you also worked in big studio productions? Sheri Lawrence: My work thus far has been with Florida based independent films only. I will say working on the set of Filthy was equivalent to a big studio production. Tinker Wins Productions had the use of Telemation Studios and their high tech equipment. Crappy: I see here on your site you were an Associate producer, eh? Not bad...how did that come about? Do you plan on producing any more movies? Sheri Lawrence: I was given that title because the director's dog loved me! It was thrilling to work behind the camera, especially on this particular film. PERSPECTIVE is near and dear to me. I will always remember and cherish that awesome day of filming with Actor Joey Bassi (his debut) and the terrific cast and crew. Many thanks to IKO Productions in Orlando for taking on this movie with open arms. IKO ROCKS! Yes indeed, I'm now hooked and would love to help produce another film. Although I must admit, acting will always be my first love. Crappy: Why Florida? Why not a bigger market like Texas, Chicago, New York or LA? Sheri Lawrence: Florida is now my home and I just love it here. I could have stayed in the NY/NJ metro area but we made the choice to move to this lovely state. Quite honestly, I am driven by the love of the art and my personal desire to promote Florida filming. We have the perfect setting for filming here and an awesome talent pool to choose from. We need to continue striving to have those larger production companies stand up and notice and want to film here using OUR LOCAL TALENT! Crappy: What do you wish for Florida? (or, in your opinion, why isn't Florida the movie mecca everyone wants it to be?) Sheri Lawrence: We need to free this state of scam artists! We have more than our share and they need to be exposed! First, we must gather the filmmakers that are honest. Then, together with our awesome filmmakers and talented pool of actors we can make Florida rank right up there with NY, LA, and the rest. |
If you live in Florida and are familiar at all with the acting scene, you've no doubt already heard the name Sheri Lawrence. This fiery blonde has hit the industry in a big way, constantly working in a State that many claim doesn't have much to offer. Here we will get to know Sheri a little better, and find out just what it is that sets her apart... And now, the interview... |
