In celebration of film, Blue Tarp Productions will be debuting a couple of short films in a two-night event on Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday’s event will be held at Levels in Christiansted and Thursday will be at CMCARTS in Frederiksted.
The screening will display two never before seen short films along with other films created by other creative film producers.
One of the members of Blue Tarp Productions, George W. Cannon III, said, “Traditionally when people thought of making a film they think you need an amazing camera. All the equipment and all the things you traditionally did not have access to, but now we are at a time where everybody really has access to the materials to make a film.”
Cannon said that Blue Tarp came around because they saw that they had the capability to make film. It initially began when Cannon entered the Paradise 48 competition in 2022. “Having that realization, we said that hey we really wanted Virgin Islands representation. We want to be represented on film and we wanted it to be a community thing.”
“Making a film, having the Virgin Islands represented in front and behind the camera, and just making it a collaborative teamwork situation. Putting all those elements together we decided to make Blue Tarp,” said Cannon.
Another member of Blue Tarp Productions, Diana Dias, who is also a Source reporter, said, “We have truly worked with an amazing cast and team of people. The support and feedback from the Virgin Islands community has been a motivation to keep going.
“There is interest in this industry and the excitement they feel to see someone that looks like them, speaks like them and lives where these movies are shot makes them proud that films like these are out there,“ said Dias.
The screening at Levels on Wednesday will begin at 7:30 p.m. and can be confirmed via Eventbrite, and at CMCARTS, Inc. at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
“I love that we have these people who own these venues like Levels and CMCARTS who are giving us this platform to screen and show our work. They are total supporters,” said Cannon.
About the future of Blue Tarp Productions, “We are growing and developing. One aspect is making a film. The other part has been distributing a film and that’s the part that we are just getting our bearings on it. There’s a whole business behind it. We are just learning how to do that.”
“I want young Virgin Islanders to be inspired to know that there is no dream too big. If you are a creative there are other creatives out there ready to work with you and motivate you. Get out there and just make those connections,” said Dias.
You can follow Blue Tarp Productions on their Facebook page or on Instagram @bluetarpproductions.
The team would like to recognize The Paradise 48 Film Festival, Kevin Moolenaar from Team Fraktornize, Remedii Productions, Sound Stage V.I., CMCARTS, Levels, and all the actors, actresses, stage crew and everyone that has assisted with producing these films.
