Film and theater producer Jeffrey Sharp slices his way into town for a screening of the film “Boys Don’t Cry” tonight in Thurber Theatre at the Drake Performance & Event Center.
“Late Night With Jeff Sharp” is part of the Student Affair’s Late Night Programming Initiative, and is co-sponsored by the Ohio State department of theatre, the department of photography and the Cinema and Alumni Society.
Sharp, the film’s producer, will begin the evening with a discussion of the film and his career in the film industry. “Boys Don’t Cry” will be shown following the discussion, and a post-show pizza party will end the event.
“I am really excited to come to OSU,” Sharp said. “I grew up in Upper Arlington and both of my parents went to Ohio State. I also took some classes there when I was a senior in high school. OSU is like home to me.”
The Upper Arlington native began his film studies as an undergraduate at Colgate University. He continued his education in the Graduate Film Division at Columbia University.
Sharp worked as a development assistant at Ixtlan Co. for director Oliver Stone on the films “JFK,” “Born on the Fourth of July” and “The Doors.” He also was a founding member of the Hamptons International Film Festival, where he served as the director of development.
Sharp is also a founding member of Hart Sharp Entertainment, where he works now. Hart Sharp Entertainment produces, finances and develops independent films and theatrical productions. Different from some of the blockbuster films he worked on in his early career, Hart Sharp Entertainment focuses on bringing to life projects concentrating on themes concerning society, diversity and the notion of family.
“We are excited he is coming because his company is really starting to blossom,” said Sarah Uetrecht, the undergraduate secretary for the department of theatre.
In October of 1999, the independent and soon to be Academy Award Winning film, “Boys Don’t Cry,” was released. Sharp remembers when the idea for the film was introduced to him, and said he and the film’s director-writer Kimberly Peirce were compelled by the ineffable tragedy, which was a true story.
“If it hadn’t been based on a true story I don’t think we would have had the passion to do it,” Sharp said. “It really struck a chord with us, and I became obsessed with the story of Teena Brandon.”
“Boys Don’t Cry” chronicles the life of Teena Brandon (Hillary Swank), a social outcast struggling with an identity crisis. Teena escapes the torment of her surroundings by relocating to a new town in Falls City, NE and starts over as a man named Brandon Teena. He falls in love with a girl named Lana (Chloe Sevigny). Brandon’s sexual identity is uncovered and a spiral of dreadful events leads up to her brutal murder.
The film astounded the nation with its blunt reality of an event, which occurred in the backyard of a so-called perfect country. “Boys Don’t Cry” did not go unnoticed by the film industry. It was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. Swank won one of each.
“We are delighted that Jeffrey Sharp is coming,” said Lesley Ferris, chairwoman of the Department of Theatre. “I knew of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ and was so impressed and moved by it.”
Ferris said she hopes students take advantage of this incredible opportunity to speak with the successful producer and to listen to his experiences. She said Sharp was obliged to become involved with the event, but had a very difficult schedule to work around.
“It took us over a year to find a date for him to come,” she said. “He is a very busy man.”
Sharp is not only an extraordinary producer, but he is also compassionate in choosing the works he produces and with the industry and those who inhibit it.
“I am looking forward to coming back and getting to know the students, and what they think of the industry,” Sharp said. “I am curious to find out what they are doing.”
Late Night With Jeff Sharp begins with Sharp’s discussion at 9 p.m. tonight in Thurber Theatre at the Drake Performance & Event Center. The screening of “Boys Don’t Cry” starts at 10 p.m., and the post-show pizza party follows at 11:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and is free.
For more information contact the Department of Theatre at 292-5821.
