ENTERTAINMENT
SEARCH PARTY:
WHERE’S PAW PAW?
FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH
Sherrie Richards & Victoria Monai Richards
Three Women, One Missing Grandfather, Plenty of Laughs, and a Whole Lot of Faith
Victoria Monai and Sherrie Richards open up about family, friendship, filmmaking, and choosing to do things God’s way.
What happens when three very different women set out on a mission to find their missing grandfather? If Search Party: Where’s Paw Paw? is any indication, you’re in for a wild ride filled with unexpected twists, colorful personalities, plenty of laughs, and a few moments that might make you stop and think.
But behind this entertaining comedy is a story that is just as meaningful as the film itself.
For Victoria Monai and Sherrie Richards, Search Party: Where’s Paw Paw? is more than a movie. It’s a family-inspired project, a creative leap of faith, and an opportunity to bring something different to an entertainment industry they believe needs more voices willing to create with purpose.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Victoria and Sherrie to talk about how the film came together, the real-life experiences that inspired it, the personalities behind the characters, and the importance of keeping faith at the center of their work. And let me tell you, these two have stories to tell!
From fashion inspiration and unexpected comedy to family involvement and conversations about Jesus, our interview was full of laughter, encouragement, and a genuine look at the heart behind the production.
IT ALL STARTED WITH FRIENDSHIP
Sometimes a film begins with a script. Other times, it begins with a connection that is simply too good to ignore.
Victoria explained that the idea for the project began while she was working with two other actresses on an HBO production. The three women connected quickly, and their chemistry was so noticeable that the director suggested they should have their own show.
Sherrie remembered how the other actresses welcomed Victoria, who was younger and experiencing one of her first major opportunities away from home.
“They just took really good care of her,” Sherrie shared.
The friendship continued, and the three actresses began imagining what they might create together. Then came a disappointing experience: despite being part of the production, they were not invited to the Los Angeles premiere.
Although Sherrie recognized that production budgets and logistics may have played a part, the experience left them thinking about how they would approach things if they ever had the opportunity to produce their own project.
They wanted everyone involved to feel included and appreciated.
That disappointment eventually became part of the motivation to take ownership of their creative direction.
As Sherrie explained, they wanted to create the kinds of opportunities they hoped to see in the industry, including making sure their cast and crew were recognized and invited to share in the excitement.
And then, as timing would have it, an opportunity arrived.
Following the American Black Film Festival in 2022, a director they had met reached out and asked whether they had any concepts they might want to develop. The response was immediate. They already had an idea about three women and a missing grandfather.
Within approximately 24 hours, they put together a treatment that would become the foundation for Search Party: Where’s Paw Paw?
Talk about being ready when the door opens!
A STORY WITH FAMILY AT ITS HEART
So, who exactly is Paw Paw, and where did the idea come from?
The answer is personal.
Victoria and Sherrie shared that their own grandfathers helped inspire the story. They spoke fondly about family gatherings, Thanksgiving memories, cooking, and the special relationships they had with the men who helped shape their lives.
One particularly meaningful experience involved Sherrie’s father during the COVID era. Following a medical procedure, he was having difficulty moving around but was determined to get to his wife. During that time, an incident left the family searching for him when he was not where they expected him to be.
It was a difficult family experience, but it helped spark the idea of a grandfather going missing.
The film takes that starting point and turns it into a comedic adventure, but the love behind the story is genuine.
Family is clearly important to both women, and that connection reaches beyond the inspiration for the script. Their own family members also became part of the production.
Sherrie’s son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and nephew all have connections to the film. Some of the cast members were people they had met along the way, while others were performers whose work they admired.
It was a combination of professional connections, family relationships, and people who simply felt right for the project.
CASTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Putting together the cast was another important piece of the puzzle.
Through their producing partners, Joel and Joseph Harold, they connected with casting director Natasha Ward, whom they praised enthusiastically.
One of the exciting possibilities for Victoria was working with Tashina Arnold, an actress whose work she had admired for years.
Victoria recalled how exciting it was to see the possibility of working with someone she had watched growing up.
Then there was comedian Tommy Davidson. Victoria admitted that she wasn’t initially as familiar with his work, so she did a little research.
Once she discovered the comedy history and performances he had been part of, she understood exactly why he was being considered.
Sherrie and Victoria explained that the production took place during a challenging period for the entertainment industry, when many productions were shut down because of the actors’ strike. Their independent production had an interim agreement in place that allowed them to move forward with the appropriate performers.
Even with those arrangements, scheduling was not easy. The cast members had other professional commitments, including comedy and hosting work.
But somehow, it all came together.
And if you watch the film, you’ll understand why the effort was worth it.