'Room For Rent' becomes a movie

 Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

It has been a long time in the making. But finally, it seems as if it may become a reality.

Ginger Knight has finally, almost completed his first movie, Room For Rent.

The movie is based on the play of the same name which was done in 2005 and featured Volier Johnson and Deon Silvera, two of Jamaica's top actors.

"This is a full-bodied movie for the play. It's the physical fattening of the play basically," said Knight.

With two exciting subplots, Knight promises a great film as his best efforts were put into the making of it.

He shared one of the subplots with The Gleaner.

"Deon Silvera plays Tracy-Ann who is married to a rich husband and wants to leave her rich husband for a poor man. Greed is also her best friend, as she wants everything, by any means necessary. She then ends up getting involved with drugs.

I don't want to give away anymore of the movie though, so no more," he laughed.

"You won't get bored, there are things happening right there in front of you," reassured Knight.

Finishing touches

The finishing touches are being put on the movie which is set to be premiered at Carib 5 in Cross Roads.

"We carried it down to Carib and they said it will work wherever you have Jamaicans. There's no sex, gunshots or violence at all. It's a family movie, whole heap of jokes and fun stuff, whole heap," said Knight.

He continued, "We're trying to tighten it up right now. We're hoping to open for Valentine's or Easter. Easter would be great."

As usual, the cost of making a movie in Jamaica has always been the dark horse for movie-makers, but a substantial amount of this cost was offset by the CHASE Fund, who Knight said was extremely helpful, and a key factor in the funding of the movie, which cost a little less than $5 million.

A preview of the movie was shown at the Jamaica Reggae Film Festival, and according to Knight the response received was overwhelming.

After premiering in Jamaica, Knight is looking to show the movie in the Caribbean, New York, Canada and in England.

Knight had originally set out a 21-day shooting schedule, however, eight days later the process had to be put on hold due to the absence of some of the main actors.

As soon as they were available, work began right away.

According to Knight, the experience of the actors made up for the time missed.

"It was a good thing they were in the play so it was easier for them to just slide into character in the movie," he said.

Of his first movie, Knight had a few words to say as well issue a sigh of relief.

"Gosh! I know one thing, I won't go through it ever again. Next time I will do certain things much different. But everybody was helping so it was a bit less stressful," he said.

Knight does not plan to turn in his movie-maker hat anytime soon as he also has five movie scripts waiting to commence work on. It's just to get Room For Rent ready and out the way.

"2011 suppose to work great for me though. I hope that will be the year," said Knight.