One to Watch: Writer/Producer Mary McCallum

It’s a dismal fact, at least it was in 2007, 70% of Black women are single. It struck a chord with Nashville writer/producer Mary McCallum. She wrote a stage play, her first, called the 70% Club which followed a group of friends as one prepared to walk down the aisle and another was closing the book on her marriage. The play struck a chord with audiences as well and was made into a feature film, winning the 2009 International Black Film Festival of Nashville and released by Maverick Entertainment.

McCallum penned a follow up stage play, 70% More, which she describes as Sex in the City meets The Game.  It’s going into production as a feature in February 2012.  Like many independent filmmakers, McCallum is combining self-financing, fundraising – which includes fun speed dating events, and crowdsourcing via Kickstarter to get her film made.  The Kickstarter funds will be used to pay for travel since the majority of the film will be shot on location.
Cast of the 70% Club

This is McCallum’s first Kickstarter campaign and one she calls a learning experience. Her advice to others considering the Kickstarter route? “Personal communication is what works for us so far, reaching out personally via email or picking up the phone, it’s really taking us talking to people one on one,” says McCallum in a phone interview. Right now, she’s reached half of her $3,000 goal. She suggests doing as much as you can early in the process to touch people and get them pledging because it tends to snowball. You can view the campaign here – there’s still time to pledge.

McCallum, who’s also an actress, received her undergrad in Psychology and an MBA from Vanderbilt.  Wanting to build up her resume, she was told theatre was a good way to do it. Writing and producing were natural stepping-stones. She has become quite a prolific playwright and is the co-founder of the Shades of Black Theatre Festival in Nashville.

She currently works as a corporate trainer and is a mother to a nine-year-old daughter.

View a trailer of the 70% Club below.