LARRY DERR

Interview By Robin Shockley

When Dreams become reality for Baltimore city man and Hollywood makes the connection.

Based on a true life story about guns, drugs and gangster life, Hollywood signs a 20 year deal with actor, movie screenwriter, director and producer out of Baltimore Maryland. Mr. Larry Derr has a story that inspires and motivates in a way that catches people’s attention. Life hasn’t always been easy for Mr. Derr. When he was five years old he was shot in the leg with a 357 magnum. As a teenager he was hit by a fire truck while driving and lost his memory for a year with amnesia. Also, later in life he served time in prison. Yes, life was rough in the younger years for him. However, at the age of 39 Larry says that he encourages those with a passion to pursue dreams to stop partying and get focused on what’s important in life.

Larry started his acting career in theater and loved it. He played “Onion” on the wire in season one and became friends with J.D. Williams and Tray Chaney on and off camera. When I asked Larry how his dreams of acting became a reality, he began to tell me about a dream he had that inspired him. In this dream that he had it was a continuation of a dream. He was passing the mountains of Hollywood driving a convertible car with someone in the car but he did not know who that person was. They were laughing and making jokes and then he woke up. He then thinks to himself, “man I wish I could finish this dream” and that is what happened. He went back to sleep and he began laughing and joking again with this person who was in the car with him and then he woke up again. He tells me he thought this dream felt so real that he wanted to go back to sleep to see if it could continue. Now this was his third time going back to sleep to see if the dream will continue and he said that this has never happened again after this moment. So as he went back to sleep he began to joke with the person again and then realized on the third continuation of the dream, as he spoke, “stop playing around with me man Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Then he realized it was Will Smith.

Laughingly, he said that excited him and that he had always wanted to be an actor and this dream led him to pursue the real dream of reality.

Well Mr. Derr’s dream of becoming an actor exceeded writing and directing with producing the sold-out hit movie Guns and Grams. There are over 14 celebrity actors in this film. Including SAG Awards Nominee and American Black Film Festival winner Clifton Powell (Ray, Civil Brand) and winner of the Locarno International Film Festival and Young Artist Award winner Omar Gooding (Baby Boy, Wild & Crazy Kids). As well as star Joseph D’Onofrio (Good Fellas) round out the cast in GNG Productions debut feature film “Guns and Grams”.

This film has sold out already in Decatur Georgia at the AMC theaters as well as Baltimore Maryland at Security Square Mall multiple times. Recently on April 2, 2021 a red carpet premiere was set and Felicia Pearson also known as “Snoop” (the wire) made a presentation with interviews and a few others such as Lamont Elliot, Irvan Speed and Tiffany Chambers. These last three mentioned, started their acting career because Mr. Derr saw potential and opened that door to give them a shot in this film. In recent interviews with “ Focus Forward with Robin on the Go”, these three people mentioned all explained to me how Larry recognizes those who wish to excel in their craft and are grateful for the opportunity to be featured in the movie “Guns and Grams”.

Next stop for the showing is Times Square NY on Friday May 14th 2021 with Larry Derr and the GNG Productions team. There will be various media outlets on site for the Red Carpet premiere.

The film’s limited release has been picked up by AMC Theaters and has sold out multiple viewings in Baltimore and Atlanta and is expanding to other cities including Chicago Miami and Houston. Due to its ongoing success Derr’s Guns And Grams was awarded the movie wall of fame for 2020 in Baltimore for selling out the most shows along with Black Panther, Acrimony, and Avengers at the AMC theaters.

Independent film distributor Adler & Associates Entertainment has acquired the rights in fielding and is now giving offers for worldwide sales on digital and VOD (Video On Demand).

Derr has been reeled in for some BIG projects on the rise! He wrote this TRUE to Life story of guns, drugs and gang life that took place in his home town of Baltimore Maryland. It is a mixture of his very own personal life as well as the life of the Sicilian mafia.

“GUNS AND GRAMS” is based on actual events of an old standing alliance between the Sicilian and African American Gangsters; Forged with dirty money and backroom deals to outline the rules of the heroin trade in Baltimore. It’s pushed to the breaking point by a new generation driven by crime and greed.

On March 16th, 4pm Mr. Derr presented the movie to Adler & Associates Entertainment to distribute it worldwide. This is exciting! There are over 14 notable celebrities in this film including Tray Chaney (The Wire), J.D. Williams (Pootie Tang, OZ), and Hassan Johnson (Brooklyn’s Finest), and so many more!

Mr. Derr says that he wants people to see him more than just a faster movie producer. He has other projects he will be working on too such as a horror and comedy film in the future.

If you are interested in interviewing Derr for future opportunities, you can contact myself, Public Relations Agent, Robin Shockley to schedule a booking in your city in person or as an online interview at: BOOKING@ROBINSHOCKLEY.COM