With four films under his belt—two shorts and two documentaries—33-year-old writer, director and producer Richard Pitman is going places.
Richard got his start working as a writer with the long-running radio serial drama “Merundoi” and that happened quite by chance.
According to him, a friend of his, Joel Simpson, knowing his knack for writing, heard of a workshop that catered for writers and producers and contacted him immediately. Richard did not hesitate but rushed down the following day to find out more. When the workshop started soon after, he was seated among the 30-plus attendees. According him, he had felt intimidated at the time since from the looks of it, just about everyone else there was a professional or had some sort of experience.
In the end, however, only four persons were chosen to write and produce for “Merundoi” and Richard was among them. “I was very elated, surprised and overwhelmed that I’d be able to do something that I love. This was in March, 2006; I remember that well,” he said.
Since then he has kept on living his dreams; a glimpse back at his childhood provides proof that dreams do come true.
Born on February 25, 1982 at the Georgetown Public Hospital to Amaya Jaikaran and Ovid Pitman (now deceased), Richard is the eldest of four children; he has two sisters and a brother. Growing up poor saw them moving to different parts of Georgetown. Richard attended the Smith Memorial Primary and then North Ruimveldt Multilateral but was unable to complete high school, owing to difficulties at home.
Richard went in search of a job and was hired at the Texaco Gas Station as a cashier. Not long after, he and his younger siblings moved to the West Demerara and have been there ever since.
Though he had left school, Richard’s passion for reading and writing did not waver. He read everything and anything he could lay his hands on, from labels to novels to textbooks.
His move to film came a few years later while at “Merundoi.” The organisation was invited by Dr Paloma Mohamed to film workshops that were held by Ohio University/University of Guyana. Richard attended the workshops and he excelled in all three.
Richard goes on to talk about an experience he’ll never forget and he’ll take with him all his life. According to him, it was his first film, Tradition, and “We were shooting… on Water Street in 2011. I was looking at it come together and Dr Paloma walked up to me and said, ‘Richard, you did a really great job here.’ To just have her say I did an excellent job, stuck with me and motivated me.
“I always love coordinating. I love being responsible. Coordinating comes naturally. Producing has many difficulties and I like a challenge.”
Film, he said, has also helped him personally. “Growing up I was very introverted, very shy and afraid to talk and so film has helped to bring out my creativity and it brings so much satisfaction. It helps me to understand the different personalities of the people I work with every day. It has definitely changed me for the better,” he said.
“However, the creative industry lacks support. It takes a long time to write scripts. You have to make sure it flows and makes sense and at the end of the day you have to see that
it achieves what you have set out for it to achieve. It is a talent and it needs to be respected. I believe our Guyanese culture is slowly dying and I think the creative industry can play an integral part in preserving our culture… [we] can write about it, people can sing about it and also create dramas. Film can help to preserve our culture.
“I think the government and the private sector need to support filmmaking because it can do well for our economy. We could be the next Warner Brothers or Paramount Pictures. It could provide a lot of jobs, increase tourism and it can help outsiders to not see Guyana as a third world country but as a nation of rich culture.”
Richard is a member of CineGuyana and was once a radio announcer for Radio Guyana, 89.5 and Love FM 90.1.
He said he left “Merundoi” early this year to complete his degree; he already has a Diploma in Communications.
Pitman has also done two short films, Tradition and To the Night and two documentaries Dirty Pictures-Sexting in Guyana and My Real Story. He also worked along with the Ministry of Education and Department of Culture as the Film Coordinator tasked with coordinating films for Carifesta in Suriname in 2013 and in Haiti this year and for the Inter-Guiana Festival.
He has a full-time job in addition to producing and writing and in his spare time he enjoys reading, more writing and producing, going to the movies and socializing with friends.
“When you have people in your life who motivate you, you never think about quitting, no matter the struggle,” he said. He named a few who have made a remarkable impression on his life. “My mother was my best motivation growing up. She’s a selfless person. She is such a strong person. She never gave up no matter what,” he said.
However, when it comes to those who have inspired him, he gives the credit to his friends. He singled out a few.
Christpen Bobb-Semple, “This guy came from a background where his parents were absent. He’s just always succeeded. He continues to excel. I look at how he deals with stuff and I draw from that to deal with my life’s challenges. He’s always so calm.”
Renuka Anandjit: “She’s always that person you could call when you’re having a busy day, she makes you laugh.”
Natasha Clarke: “She’s a very motivational friend and individual.”
Dr Adoniya Benjamin: “He’s been a strong support in my tertiary education.”
Dr Paloma Mohamed: “I’d never have been here without her.”
Richard said he hopes his journey thus far enables others to realize their dreams and know that they too can overcome anything if they so desire, just as he would have done in the past.
“All through life’s journey, you’ll have many, many reasons to give up but you just have to find a reason to always persevere. Education is definitely important. Get yourself qualified, it makes you more respected in society. You need to believe in yourself and stick to your passion; and do the best at any job you’re given,” he said.
