Lights, Screams, Action: A Horror Comedy Puts JoCo in the Spotlight

By Jamie Strickland

Maine Genius Productions is bringing the spooky and the silly to Johnston County, with their latest project, “I See Dead People.” This horror comedy, directed, written, produced and co-starred by local filmmaker Jermaine Nix, began filming last month in Clayton. With deep roots in the area, Nix is excited to blend his passion for filmmaking with the charm of JoCo.

The film stars Nix alongside Karen Edwards in a tale about a rookie recruit, Andrew (Nix), joining a special ghost police force. Karen’s character, Ella, serves as Andrew’s sharp-witted trainer. Together, they face the ghostly chaos of a murder mystery at a historic church — and an unexpected twist.

“We’re confident that ‘I See Dead People’ will keep you laughing from start to finish,” said Nix.

A LOCAL PRODUCTION WITH BIG TALENT

The cast and crew feature a mix of seasoned professionals and newcomers, including Courtney Mercurio, Kells Pepaperoni, Susan Mercer, Kathy Brewer, Heidi Marie, Mandese Cynthia, Faith Manuel, Quinn Grey and Samuel Phillips. Producers Edwards and Nix are leading the charge to bring this ambitious project to life.

Edwards, based in Greensboro, has a resume that includes working with Tyler Perry and other high-profile productions. Meanwhile, newcomer Olivia Waite and actor James Seay join the ensemble, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the film. Nix has collaborated with professionals from major projects like The Walking Dead and Avatar.

WHY JOCO?

Nix is committed to highlighting the beauty and charm of Johnston County. “JoCo is just a great area for amazing locations,” he said. “I normally had to travel two to three hours to film sets, so I wanted to bring a film production to JoCo and hopefully inspire more filmmaking here.” The team’s concept filming took place at a historic church that Nix discovered while driving. The church’s haunting aesthetic perfectly fit the tone of the film.

THE VISION BEHIND MAINE GENIUS PRODUCTIONS

Founded just two years ago, Maine Genius Productions LLC began as Nix’s solo venture to film weddings, sports events and promotional videos. Over time, the company evolved into a platform for pursuing his passion for storytelling through short films

and music videos. “It’s been my dream to make films for years,” Nix said. Now, he’s using his platform to elevate the local film scene in JoCo.

In addition to "I See Dead People," Maine Genius Productions is working on a concept film featuring Waite, Seay, Edwards and Nix. This project will be used to raise funds for the feature film and will also be submitted to film festivals worldwide.

While there is no official release date yet, the feature-length film promises to deliver an hour and a half of ghostly laughs and thrills.

With its mix of humor, horror and heart, “I See Dead People” is a celebration of Johnston County’s potential as a creative hub.