-Who is Marcus Nel-Jamal Hamm?

Marcus has often been described as a visionary.  My loving mother and father both graduated with top honors with Master’s Degrees in Sociology, and I was raised to believe firmly that the sky was the limit.  Growing up with a vivid imagination and an early affinity for the arts and sports, I wanted to become everything from a wrestler and a bodybuilder to a stuntman and an actor.  But I also loved to write and draw, and grew up reading comic books, hundreds of which are still in my possession. In my earlier years, I believed I had to choose one direction. While in college at The University of Maryland, I simultaneously decided to sign up for a professional wrestling training program with Bonebreakers Academy.  I went in without any expectations, I had suffered a car accident a few years prior and upon recovery, I simply wanted to test my abilities. It turned out that I defied even the trainers’ expectations; a year later, I received my first contracted television role with Urban Wrestling Alliance in 2000, which aired on UPN.  While we trained and prepared for filming, legendary actor David Dunard also trained us in acting. Our wrestling trainer was Rocky Johnson, a WWE Hall of Famer and father of The Rock, Dwayne Johnson.  After the series ended, I completed my college degree with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, and then moved toward acting after taking more training.  In 2007, I received my first role on a scripted television series, HBO’s *The Wire*, with a feature recurring role as Officer Marcus.  This granted me access into SAG and launched my move from Maryland, to Los Angeles, where I have since continued to perform as both a pro wrestler and actor, while writing and producing various award-winning independent films, shorts, and music videos.  

-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

One of the bonding experiences I had with my father growing up was going to the movies. My favorite memories include seeing films like Return of the Jedi, Ghostbusters, ET, Gremlins, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It always felt like each movie stayed with me in a deeper way, almost as if it were a part of me. I enjoyed discussing the storytelling and living in these fantasies and I appreciated the work it took to bring a story with such a grand spectacle to life.  The effects, the cinematography, and the score from films like these always stood out even at a young age. 

-Tell us about your project “Triggered 3.0/The Dragon King”.

Triggered 3.0, the Final Cut is the completed work of a five-year project that began with Triggered, a Cinematic Superhero Fan Film.  That first film was very special, as it was developed to help complete a dying friend’s last wish.  Steven James Tingus was a lifelong advocate for disability and diversity inclusion. I had the honor of meeting him in 2017, and our friendship led to us working together on a comic book-themed fan film where he wanted to play the antagonist.  In 2022, we completed that work and it screened at the Indie Night Film Festival where Steven had the opportunity to see himself in a lead role for the first time at the famous TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  On the very same night of the screening, Steven passed away, having fulfilled his wish. We agreed to continue on with the story, leading to part 2.0, and now the final cut which has brought Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts to join a stellar cast led by Fernando Marrero, Robert Dobson, Bridgett Bess, Joshua Longfellow Wright, Masashi Ishizuka, Siri Hull, and Katrina Chiovon.  Triggered 3.0 has already won its first award for Best Action Film from the Los Angeles Stars Film Festival. It will screen as part of the Los Angeles Fantasy Fest on November 21st at the Skiptown Playhouse, followed by an awards ceremony on November 22nd.  

The follow up to Triggered is my first full feature fantasy film, titled The Dragon King.  Currently in screenplay format only, it has already received its first nomination for a Best Screenplay Award from Film Invasion L.A., which will host an awards ceremony on August 22nd. I am excited to announce that I will be co-directing The Dragon King with rising visionary filmmaker and actress Tiffany Toney, whose breakout feature film Bora has been wowing critics and audiences globally.  Before we begin with The Dragon King, our first collaborative project, Merry F’N Christmas is in post-production and will have an official release date announcement very soon. 

-Which Director inspires you the most?

I have been inspired by many directors over the years, but none more than Spike Lee.  His films feel like more than cinema to me; they are pure works of art. He often seems to break the rules of linear storytelling, taking you on a cinematic journey with a unique signature that always tells the audience that no one else could tell the story the way he does.  I feel that those qualities make a director stand out.  

-What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

Simply put, I am anti-racism, and unfortunately this world is plagued with it.  One of the things that draws me to filmmaking is its power to inspire. Sometimes this is done directly by telling stories that address it, but also in other ways such as casting and hiring a diverse team, which is a key aspect of all of my work under my company, Urban Renaissance Entertainment.  If I could change racist mindsets across the world, that would be a greatest wish as it stands as one of the main reasons we cannot find peace. 

-How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

I imagine in 100 years that people will be plugged into some artificial reality network, allowing them to experience film in a manner that feels like they are living out the lead roles.  Advancements are happening so rapidly that I’m honestly fearful of how far this technology will go in another century. If I’m being honest, I hope that we go backwards instead of forward and remain where we were between the 90’s and 2000’s with human actors, practical effects, and advanced CGI. 

-What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?

It’s not often that independent filmmakers have the opportunity to share their story with the world, so WILD FILMMAKER is greatly appreciated for seeking out and acknowledging those of us who are still building our audience and earning accolades.