Although we spotlight many different artists in New England, New Hampshire filmmakers tend to be underrepresented.
New Hampshire actor and filmmaker, Rick Dumont, makes up for this with his company, Sweaty Turtle Entertianment, which is “dedicated to giving a voice to artists who toll in virtual anonymity so that their vision of the world and life may be absorbed and contemplated” celebrates all kinds of artists.
To celebrate the arts, Sweaty Turtle Entertainment hosts an “Up from Underground Art Experience Presentations” and the “Like Life But Shorter Indie Film Series.” A longtime entertainment journalist and theatre critic, cofounder Dumont is a multi-faceted artist who has written, directed and produced several films and acted in movies and on stage.
Dumont’s start in acting came from his background in entertainment journalism. As a writer, Dumont decided to try performing in order to get a better understanding of the arts community that he was covering. This led him to get heavily involved in what he describes as a “growing” art scene in New Hampshire by writing scripts and eventually directing his own feature film. Dumont says that he “really loved the idea of locating, casting and having everybody’s input together in this huge thing.” and that he loves it, adding, “filmmaking is so much fun. It’s a heck of a lot of work to do and put together, but it is so much fun that it just makes it all worth it in the end when everything comes together.”
Dumont has nothing but praise for the New Hampshire arts community and insists that the audiences somewhat underestimate the level of talent in their state. According to Dumont, the great thing about the New Hampshire arts community is that that there is a lot of opportunity from a lot of different standpoints to get involved. He advises those who want to take part in New Hampshire arts community to “just keep your eyes open. Decide what you want to do and what you want to try and get involved with local filmmakers.” Dumont welcomes anyone who wants to work on his set even if they just want to learn.
In fact, Dumont takes great inspiration from the artists who collaborate on his films and the overall New Hampshire arts community, saying, “Overall filmmaking is very much a communal effort. Everybody adds their paintbrush to the mural. I have a deep appreciation and respect to these artists outside of working on my film.” His “Up from the Underground Art Experience Presentation” greatly reflect this by specifically highlighting the many multi-faceted artists that have worked on Dumont’s films. In the past his events have exhibited artwork including paintings, sculpture, and performative dance, musical performances, and film presentations.
Overall, Dumont advises fellow filmmakers to follow wise words from fellow filmmaker Mike Pope who once said, “Just finish it. It doesn’t matter if you cut it down or make it longer. Just get it done with because you always revisit it. Just get it done so at least you have something completed.” Dumont summarizes this as “just keep moving forward and don’t give up.” Dumont went on to say “make sure you’re completely organized” and that “every single film is a learning experience…Art to me is an ever-growing, ever-evolving living, breathing entity and it’s an incredible amount of fun overall. Just do it and enjoy it while you’re doing it.”
To learn more about the different arts events from Sweaty Turtle Entertainment or to get involved with some of Rick Dumont’s films and projects, make sure to visit their website.
Read also
