Sometimes in life we find ourselves skimming the surface of our full potential and abilities. I have a 15 month old son that I recently took to the pool for the first time and as we started to ease our way into the pool he would climb higher on me and cling to my neck. This could have easily gone on all day however I decided the only way to get him in was to just dip quickly and get it over with. Not only did this work but we were having fun in no time. The same can be said for Shameka Grubbs who spent many years aspiring to be an actress skimming the surface of her abilities until she finally dove into the industry head first with stunning results. Check it out!

Scheme: How did you get the idea to start the Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival?

Shameka: I actually started out acting and attended a lot of festivals because of the networking opportunities they afforded me. In 2004 I attended the Hollywood Black Actors Festival and I was having a discussing with my coach to make who basically told me that I needed to make my own way because my career wasn’t going anywhere. From here I decided to marry my three loves, Films, Acting and Hip Hop. I decided to start a festival because of all of the ones I’ve been to, none of them paid attention to the movies that reflected the hip hop culture.

Scheme: That must have been a huge project to undertake, what would you say was the hardest part of the whole process?

Shameka; Well it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. Overall the hardest part was my lack of knowledge of the whole process; sponsorship, researching your market, financing, advertising etc. Just looking at the time frame I gave myself, I started the process in April of 04 and had the festival scheduled for July of 2004. When you’re just starting something it is hard to get people to believe in you.

Scheme: So what advice would you give to anyone out there thinking about taking on a project of this magnitude?

Shameka: Get together a team of people with expertise in everything you need; someone in financing and sponsorship, someone in marketing and promotion, someone with administrative expertise and also put together a panel of advisors. Having a great team is very vital. After that I would have to say make sure you follow through on everything. There were several times were I wanted to give up, we almost didn’t do it this year.

Scheme: So what keeps you going in those times of doubt, what made you push forward?

Shameka: The passion and vision. When you receive emails from filmmakers, directors thanking you and updating you on their progress it’s a great feeling. The acknowledgement that your hard work has paid off and benefited others is a great feeling. A filmmaker who won the audience choice last year now travels the world to showcase their work and it all started at the Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival. From last years crop three films acquired distribution and that feels good.

Scheme: What is the biggest thing you have learned from the festival?

Shameka: Definitely patience! I would also have to say appreciation of everybody. I have also learned to be more accepting of criticism because it helps make me grow in certain cases.

Scheme: So we know you are currently an Atlanta resident but where are you from originally?

Shameka: I was born and raised in Danbury, CT.

Scheme: Shout out’s to Connecticut! How did you end up in Atlanta?

Shameka: Well I always wanted to go to Clark (Atlanta) but ended up going to Morris Brown but just being in Atlanta I fell in love with the city. I came down here when it was really live at the freaknik and things were just starting to grow down here.

Scheme: You are a single mother, has mother hood changed your views on things and how you operate in your day to day life?

Shameka: Everything revolves around my son! My son is 12 and I have him attend my meetings and teach him. Every decision I make I think about him.

Scheme: You obviously have a love for film where does that come from?

Shameka: Well I like acting because you can be whatever you want with acting; it takes you away from reality. It’s like being on a journey. When it comes to watching a film I like anything that draws from real life experiences like drama films.

Scheme: So what is your favorite film as of lately?

Shameka: I really liked Crash, that movie was just put together so well. It really touched on a lot of important things but was still entertaining and it contained some really good acting.

Scheme: Where did your love of hip hop evolve from?

Shameka: Well my brother is five years older than me and where we grew up we had WBLS. They used to play all the hits, Kwame, Rakim, EPMD, Public Enemy and I would always listen to it when he did. Also, the house parties growing up where a big part of the culture, the music, the dancing; it was exciting and just fun and became a way of life.

Scheme: And who would you say are your favorite artist?

Shameka: I would have to say Rakim, he’s just amazing with it. I would also say I loved the whole Wu-Tang movement; those were great times they are very on point with the lyrics and messages.

Scheme: So what is the plan for the Atlanta Hip Hop Film festival this year?

Shameka: Well we spent a lot of time looking at past panels from all kinds of festivals and looking for what hasn’t been covered or hasn’t been done in the right manner. We really try to cover new stuff and not be redundant. We have panels from the basic stuff to the advanced stuff.

Scheme: So I noticed that The Original House Party is being honored this year. This is one of my favorite movies of all time; I mean my mother had to take the tape away from me because I would watch it everyday after school, sometimes twice in one day. Why did you choose to honor this movie?

Shameka: Because it needed to be done! For the same reason’s you love it is the same reason it needs to be honored. That movie dealt with real issues but did it in such an entertaining and fun manner you didn’t realize you were learning. It was just a great movie!

Scheme: I also noticed that during the festival weekend you are actually having a House Party themed party at the hotel. How did that come about?

Shameka: Well we want people to learn but also let loose a little and have some fun. Last year was a block party; we had the graffiti and the DJ’s and street vendors and had a great time. This year is The Original House Party and we even have Kid N Play’s DJ; DJ Whiz spinning for us. It’s going to be great!

Scheme: So what is the goal of this year at the Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival?

Shameka: The main goal is to present positive events and not just a series of panels lumped together. It is about filmmakers, networking, learning, sharing, experiencing, and doing something that benefits everyone. It is supposed to be an outside the box festival. We would love to take it internationally and share this experience.

Scheme: What is your take on the defense that many rappers when criticized for their lyrics by pointing to the movie industry and saying that actors are allowed to be extremely violent in movies with no backlash?

Shameka: I think there is a definite difference. In movies you know that the actors were playing characters but in music they are not supposed to be characters. In rap, they portray themselves as being real and relaying their real life experiences in the music. In the movies, we know that Denzel is the real person and his character is fictional. Rappers are role models; they purposely promote to certain ages ranges. Most violent movies promote to an older audience. People treat this as a new argument but it is old, how do you think we got to the point of parental advisory stickers? We have those stickers because we have been here before. I love hip hop but we need to stand up and make changes instead of trying to deflect the blame towards others.

Scheme: Being a parent, how do you deal with your son listening to some of the music of today?

Shameka: Well it is not just the music; I talk to my son about everything from sex to drugs. Being in Atlanta, a lot of the stuff on the radio is for lack of a better term “bubble gum” rap. I let him listen to it but then I educate him on what is being said and let him make his own decision. Once he realizes what is being said, often time he has stopped listening to these songs. He has made some good decisions after he’s been educated on it. I also let him hear my old school records, PE, Biggie, Rakim and also Neo Soul and a ton of Jazz. My son is certainly going to be an individual and not a follower. In fact, he is one of the reason’s we have a youth corner at the festival this year. We have a workshop where we teach kids how to write lyrics and other fun stuff. We did this because some of the films have strong content and parents may not want their kids to be subjected to it. Since we are making this a festival for everyone, I made sure we had a space where parents can leave their kids free of charge and the whole family can enjoy.

Scheme: So any last words you’d like to share with the readers, our fellow Schemers?

Shameka: I pray that everyone will support and come out to the festival. It’s great for networking and will present a great experience and will be affordable. You will walk away entertained. Thank you!

There you have it Schemers, attacks your dreams, have patience and do what you love. You will not be the only to benefit because when you do what you love; you create something others will enjoy! Keep Scheming!