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Richmond Times Dispatch May 11, 2003
“Player’s Corner: Khari Ajene”
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Ajene Films |
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Nothing comes without hard work but hard times!! |
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· What he is known for: Filmmaker. Has made the movies "Psychedelic Perfume," "Her Deadly Secret," "Fever" and "Refuge." All are available on video. · What he does on these movies: Everything. He is writer, director, producer and star. · And in his spare time: Has written two self-published books, "The Club" and "The Broken Chain." · Stats: "Just say I'm 30-something." Married with four children; lives in Henrico County. Went to George Wythe High School and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where he studied software development.
Q. You're involved in so many things, and you used to be a musician, too. How do you think of yourself?
A. I see myself more as a writer. But I also sketch and draw, so making movies is like my sketches come to life and my words come to life. It's kind of like seeing my songs come to life and my books come to life. It's kind of like giving birth and playing God.
Q. When did you first decide to try to make movies?
A. When that "Blair Witch" thing came out. I had written a few screenplays, but when I saw those guys do that, I thought: "Damn, I could do that."
I thought I could learn that [filmmaking] software in a day. It took three days, but I did it. I'm the kind of guy who, if he can't do something, he learns how.
Q. How are your films marketed?
A. I have to do everything myself. They're marketed to the urban market. My first three movies were kind of shot down [by distributors] because I didn't have any gangsta rap in them. I'm not into that. There was no hip-hop music in my first three movies. I don't do what everybody else wants me to conform to.
Q. What have you learned about the business?
A. The first time around, you may get burnt. Maybe the second time, you'll get burnt. But the third time, maybe you'll get lucky and you'll make $20 million.
Don't put yourself down, keep up your confidence, but don't be pigheaded. But learn the game, play the game, sit back and see what everybody else is doing.
Q. How do you find the time to stay as busy as you are?
A. I'm trying to live five or 10 lifetimes at once. I'm trying to do all these multiple things so I can have some bragging rights when I get to the other side.
Q. Where can people find your work?
A. The books are not available anymore. They can rent or buy the movies from the Video Mart Corp. on Jefferson Davis Highway. And they can order them, except "Refuge," from my Web site, http://www.ajenefilms.cjb.net/ - Daniel Neman
Players' Corner is a weekly feature focusing on people in the arts and entertainment community. Suggestions for profiles can be sent to Marggie Graves, Arts & Entertainment editor, at mgraves@timesdispatch.com |
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