Maurice Paramore is an award-winning independent filmmaker, screenwriter, and director from
New Jersey. He graduated from William Patterson University in 2006 with a dual degree in
Communications and Psychology and used his education combined with his love for the arts to launch
his production company: Dream Boy Vision Productions in 2008. Since then Paramore has written
dozens of scripts including his first feature film entitled Freestyle Love (2010), along with six short films, Devil and Red Wine (2012), Poison (2014), Kill Club (2016), Bad Romance (2017), Regrets (2018), and No Honor Among Thieves (2019). In 2019 he released season one of his first web series, The Recession. The season contained 6 episodes and has already been likened as a new favorite amongst avid web series viewers and has built a solid fanbase already eager for season two!
A true testament of his talent and ambition is the outpouring of love, support, success, and recognition his projects have garnered throughout the years. Maurice Paramore has been a longtime contributing filmmaker to the independent film festival circuit on the East Coast where he has been the
proud recipient of Best Screenplay, Best Film, Best Director, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of work throughout his career. While the peer and industry recognition will always be gratifying and humbling, what continues to keep him motivated and fulfilled year after year is when he is given the chance to pass along the knowledge and gift the experience to younger generations. Opportunities like teaching a film class at the Kiddie Academy or instructing a filmmaking workshop at the Juvenile Medium Security Facility in Bordentown, NJ- where he gets to share his love of film and possibly spark that same interest in someone else.
Tell us about your experience at the Hip Hop Film Festival? My experience at the hip hop film festival was amazing. I had a great time being amongst the people from the culture. You can tell that the festival cares about the artist and the art. The festival encouraged networking and I think that is the most important aspect of the industry, networking and getting like-minded people together. The festival is warm and welcoming and makes you feel great and inspired to be involved. It provides a space to make you feel good about being in the film industry.
Why are stories from the culture important? Stories from the culture are important because it provides an authentic voice that needs to be heard. This voice is coming directly from people who are from and for the culture. A lot of times these stories get muted or never see the light of day because the platform for these stories just aren't there. And we need to be telling our own stories the right way with an authentic voice.
What projects are you working on now? Right now I am filming the second season of my web series called The Recession. Season 1 is currently streaming on YouTube now. The recession is about a female hustler who takes over the drug business of her boyfriend after he goes off to prison. In the series, you see the ins and outs of the female perspective in this dirty game. I am also turning my short film called "Regrets" into a feature film about a Father who tries to rekindle his relationship with his daughter after she shows interest in following his career as a boxer. Both of the projects will be out later this year.
Why do you think the Harlem film house and Hip Hop Film Festival is important? Harlem film house and Hip Hope Festival are important in many ways. They are providing opportunities and giving artists a platform to showcase their art. They bring the right people together and provide resources in the industry that as an independent artist we do always have access to them. Things like ACT UP and their screenwriting competition are important. In addition, the festival is in Harlem New York, the city where things are happening in the industry. Being from New Jersey, being able to screen my film and connect with audiences and artists from New York allowed me to expand my market and network. Harlem film and Hip hop film festivals are very important and I'm proud to be able to experience them and be a part of it.