Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Tomel Griggs Jr. now resides in Los Angeles and has been working hard on a number of new projects aiming for the big screen. He has created amazing films such as Behind Locked Doors, and have others in development such as Night Harbor and The Terror Ship Massacre. Tomel is a complex person who is really passionate about his work as a producer and works very hard to produce his best work.

When Tomel, the company’s president and CEO, founded it in 2013, he showed off his creative name by naming it “Sunny Lou Pictures.” His unusual moniker honors his ties to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, sometimes known as “Lou,” and the sunny state of California, where he currently resides. I recently had the honor of speaking with Tomel, and throughout our talk, we discussed his path as a movie producer and the different tasks he has.

“I started acting right out of high school. I was always fascinated by being in front of the camera. Shortly after that, I realized I liked being behind the scenes, directing, and writing. I’ve done some short films; I started with music videos taping church functions, and it kind of went from there,” stated Griggs. 

“Behind Locked Doors,” Tomel’s debut production, illuminates the truths that kids don’t even their parents realize are hidden in their beds. This provocative movie explores the mysteries that exist behind closed doors as part of an awareness campaign. Besides that, he’s working hard on the TV show “Behind Locked Doors,” which is being created by Tomel. As an enthusiastic writer and producer, Tomel explains in detail what he values most about his line of work. “I enjoy working with people and unlocking their hidden creative potential.”

The production sector demands a great deal of commitment and hard work. It frequently involves working long hours and constantly shooting scenes, which can be taxing on the body and the mind. Furthermore, getting the money you need for your projects can be very difficult. In order to succeed in this industry, one needs to have a strong sense of enthusiasm for what they do, since this is what drives one’s perseverance.

“I had to step back and learn the backend of the business as I grew in the industry, and I decided I was going to grind hard and take the money I make and produce my projects. That way, I don’t have to depend on anybody or any production companies. It’s been a hard journey because people will tell you that you have something great and they’re going to fund your projects, but it never happens. I got tired of that and decided I was going to buy my production equipment, start my own production company, and do my independent films myself,” said Griggs.

Tomel made the bold decision to go independent with his filmmaking. But his early hopes were not fulfilled, which left him disappointed with his first film effort, “The Jack Story.” Still, he persisted, and therefore, he got a lot of positive feedback. “With the movie, I received a lot of attention. In regards to Cuba Gooding Jr. joining the team, I met with Vivica Fox, had LOIs from Charles Dutton, and talked with his agent. Lou Diamond Phillips was one of the many actors who had sent me letters of intent to work on this project. However, I was never able to secure the financing I required to launch the manufacturing,” Griggs said.

Tomel wasn’t gone for long. He’s currently working on an exciting thriller movie “The Myth, Treasure of the Lane Victory” in San Pedro, California, that’s based on a World War II merchant marine ship from 1945. The film will follow the voyage of four explorers who take a risky trip on this very ship in an attempt to find a treasure that has evaded many others who have vanished from sight. There are persistent rumors that this treasure is only a myth. Keep an eye out for this future movie’s release this summer. You can visit sunnyloupicture.com or follow Tomel on Instagram at tomel_the_director to remain up to date on his activities.

You can learn more about his company by visiting www.sunnyloupicture.com