Sharna Jenkins, also known as Ms. J, is a writer, producer and director who has, with great success, established herself in the theatre and entertainment industry. She has found huge success with her latest project, Sister’s Keeper, garnering over 4 million views on Amazon Prime. She has founded a young adult theatre company, Theatre in Motion, based in Baldwin, New York and has produced several plays. She shares her expertise and love for the arts through her creative consulting business, AMSJSCRIPT, where she mentors and guides teenagers aspiring to enter the industry.
You have established such a presence in the film and theatre industry. When did you first discover your love for the arts?
I have been in love with the arts since I was in elementary school. I was writing plays and doing musical theater for fun. My school was very untraditional, and we focused on all areas of the arts as a major part of our curriculum. I was inspired to write, direct, and produce my first play in my early twenties after an experience on my local train ride home to Harlem from work. I wanted to make people think about being better humans and theater was the best way for me to do it and get the message out there to so many people at once.
Your latest drama series, “Sister’s Keeper”, has been viewed more than four million times and has received a positive response from viewers. What was the inspiration behind creating this series?
I wrote an original film short one day about a brother and sister who were struggling to maintain their close relationship after a few bad events. I was approached to create and write a dramatic series that incorporated some violence and serious drama for a new independent streaming platform. I thought the story line from my short would be a great way to go because of the emotional and human side to the story, violence, and other activities aside. And so from there ‘Sister’s Keeper’ as the world now knows it was born.
As a writer, what practices have you taken up to combat writer’s block?
Over the years I have learnt many different coping mechanisms and ways to break through to get that creativity back. I take rides in my car, I people watch, I have conversations with people (strangers included) about life. Most importantly I listen to what people are affected by and I’m instantly inspired to help them and the ideas flow for me.
Throughout your career as a writer, producer and director, you have reached milestones and tremendous successes that are worthy of being celebrated. What are some things you do to take time out to celebrate yourself?
I don’t really celebrate myself, It is not something I have ever done. I guess I should start. I do like to have conversations with other creatives. Being able to vibe and share our thoughts, our beliefs and our methods and inspiration is what brings me joy, so maybe this is a form of celebrating myself?
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the near future?
I am currently writing Season 2 for Sisters Keeper; I hope to land a deal and a home for the series for Season 2. I just completed a new Film short called Waiting and I am looking to shoot this short in early fall as soon as September. It’s a powerful message that I feel will move people and make them think. I reached into my file cabinet and I am currently revising a television series idea I created a few years ago too. It’s a whole lot of fun rolled into life issues accompanied by the hardships of dating and finding love. So, I can’t wait to get stuck into that project and see where it lands. There is lots going on which I am excited to share with the world.
Keep up Ms. J’s latest projects by visiting http://amsjscript.com/ and following her Instagram @amsjscript
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