What’s New: Roger Sewhcomar, Limey Films Inc., in Harlem

For today’s What’s New, Harlem World Magazine introduces our neighbor Roger Sewhcomar of Limey Films Inc., in Central Harlem.

Harlem World Magazine: What’s your name and what’s your job title?

Roger Sewhcomar: Roger Sewhcomar, film producer, director and writer.

HW: What is your business name, and who is your audience?

RS: Limey Films Inc. Everyone from 14-70 years of age.

HW: Who is your demographic?

RS: People who like dark humor and enjoy black comedies. This could be anyone, from teens to the elderly including both sexes and any income. This is for this specific film. I make documentaries that are aimed at specific audiences.

HW: What’s the best way to contact you?

RS: Readers can go to www.limeyfilms.tumblr.com/projects.

HW: What’s unique about what you do?

RS: I came to New York in 1987 and saw Ghostbusters 2 being filmed on Central Park West, I bumped into Roy Scheider of Jaws and saw film sets all over town fell in love with the city and wanted to come back and become a part of that world. I’ve done a fair amount of edgy things in my life like sprinting through minefields in the Golan Heights, working as a bike messenger in New York City and jumping on speeding fire engines roaring down the Champs Elysee, but making my first feature film is by far the most exciting.

I have worked in New York’s film world for many years in a variety of roles such as Boom Operator, Line Producer, Assistant Director, Cameraman, Editor etc., I have also produced and directed several documentaries which were sold to major networks in Europe and the USA. I made my way to New York in 2000 and have been here since.

Currently I work at Lincoln Center and freelance as a cameraman for Bloomberg; last year I managed to put together a feature film in my spare time: Do You Like My Basement? which I shot entirely in my apartment.. The film is a unique horror film in that it never gives away its main protagonist’s identity and is a social commentary on the trust given by actors to anyone who says they are making a film. It was shot for around $18,000.00 and if it becomes a success will become one of the least expensive films to do so. Films like: ‘Paranormal Activity’ are quoted as being made for 15k but those films had a massive budget for print and advertising that took the budget into the tens of millions. My film wants to prove that the new distribution models of Video on Demand, Instant downloads and PPV, plus the expansion of social networking can allow a film made for the budget of most Hollywood film’s daily breakfast expenditure, can succeed.

Currently, I am raising money for post-production through Kickstarter, a wonderful tool for artists: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/481524215/do-you-like-my-basement

HW: When was your business established, and when is the best time to visit your business?

RS: Limey Films was formed in 2004, and readers contact us at our url anytime.

HW: Why did you choose to start a business in Harlem?

RS: It was fate. My girlfriend asked me to move in with here and I did in 2007. As soon as I saw the basement I wanted to set a film in that space.

HW: What do you like to do in Harlem?

RS: I like to go out and eat pizza at 135^th Street and 12^th Avenue in Covo Trattoria Pizzeria and get a quiet glass of wine in my local bar Lido. I visit the Magic Johnson Theater before noon regularly so I can get half price seats and watch early morning movies on the weekends. I love ordering Freda’s goat curry from 110^th street and Columbus and staying home to working on my projects. It seems as though there is a new business opening up every month and that is exciting to see as the place has changed dramatically in the space of three years in a good way. I no longer have to travel out of my hood to grab a decent bite or sit in a quiet bar, I can do that all within the surrounding blocks.

Limey Films, 917.673.1472, limeyfilms.tumblr.com/projects