Jamati: Let me first say thank you Edward for allowing Jamati to do this interview with you. Can you let the readers know a little bit about yourself — Where you're from, your occupation, things like that?

I was born in London. I came to the States to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker; a dream I have had since I was 5, and attended USC Film School, something I had wanted to do since I was 13. Currently, I am producing and editing a feature documentary called: Finding God in The City of Angels, about religion and cultural diversity in Los Angeles.

Jamati: Your resume is impressive. You attended Dulwich College, Brunel University, where you received your B.A. in English Literature and Film Theory, and the University of Southern California where you earned your MFA in Film Production. What was the emphasis on education like in your household?

I come from a West African household where education is probably valued above material wealth. Early on, my parents decided that they wanted to privately educate my brother and I. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but now I am incredibly grateful.

Growing up, school was a pain and incredibly competitive, which I think helped me a lot. My parents were always on me to study and in the end it became second nature. I wasn't a genius by any means, but I learned that if I didn't work hard I would fail and if I applied myself I would do well.

I was struggling to breakthrough in the British Media industry and my mum always wanted me to get a masters' degree so I killed two birds with one stone and the here I am.

Jamati: What made you come to the conclusion that you wanted to become a filmmaker and what kind of support did you receive from your family? Was there any opposition to your choice in career?

I saw E.T. with my mum when I was 5 and that was it. I was always a creative child, writing short stories and when my Dad got our first VHS camcorder…it was over. I would dress my kid brother up and make him star in my films. Somewhere there is a really bad VHS copy of my shot-for-shot remake of Godfather III. My mom has always been supportive of my dream, even though it is not a conventional career path for Ghanians. When I was a kid, my Dad was incredibly supportive, he helped me establish a videography company when I was 14, I would shoot weddings, christenings and funerals and he would help me edit them, I made good money too, 75 pounds when back then was a fortune. As I grew, I think he wanted me to do something more conventional like go to law school or become a journalist. I'm not sure how he feels now I have had some measure of success.

Jamati: What were some of your favorite films growing up?

I loved anything Spielberg directed. When I was really young my favorite films were the westerns I would watch with my Dad. The Sergio Leone Man with no name trilogy, The Magnificent Seven. I am a big Steve McQueen fan and love Bullitt. I think that is the coolest film ever made.

As I grew I became really influenced by Spike Lee and Oliver Stone. I remember watching Do the Right Thing and not being able to get it out of my head for a week, and Platoon was an elucidating experience, it showed me that film can educate as well as entertain. Source: www.jamati.com