My name is Adam Jonesm and my first short film was based on my history of drug abuse titled “Teaser”. The film was featured in several LGBT magazines and cinema review sites in 2015. There were many questions and speculation surrounding the eight minute black and white short film which led to an interview in SN&R titled “Life in a Sober Frame”. In the summer of 2015 the film played at the KZNSA Gallery/South Africa & Reel Recovery Film Festival/Los Angeles. At this time, “Teaser” is working on a distribution deal for this year.
In September 2015, I released my second experimental art film “234 E 14 St, NYC” which explored my past experience of escorting in California and short time in New York City. The video was released a week after the raid on the site RentBoy.com. The year ended with a two teasers trailers of winter project titled “Angels Forever”.
On January 1st, 2016 – The dreamy panoramic “Angels Forever” was released, the film was scored by David Beard and Benjamin McElroy from United Kingdom. Also collaborating with Matías Bombal’s Hollywood to create a vintage vibe to the project. On 1/16/16 I went on Good Day Sacramento to talk about the film.
Fantasy Girl (Short Film) from Fantasy Girl on Vimeo.
How did you get into filmmaking
I fell into it quickly after realizing that I actually wasn’t so bad at making shorts and small video art collage’s about my personal experiences. I’m still trying to figure out if I’m meant for this department, I mean there are so many aspects to filmmaking that doesn’t necessarily mean behind a camera. For now these silent films of mine make me happy, so we will have to see.
What films have you made
Next week I release my fourth short film “Fantasy Girl”, it’s really exciting to see my growth and progress as I continue putting out more projects. I learn new techniques and collaborate with more people within each month. My group of online supporters in gradually growing into an actual audience of viewers which is always nice.
What is your concept on collaboration
I love collaborating with like-minded artists who share the same visions and hopes for whatever the project is we are creating. I haven’t collaborated with another filmmaker yet because I never found him. I’m still looking, It’s hard to find people who really “get” your own personal style but I’m lucky I found a few who I love. I think as I continue creating I will also build to my cast & crew list. For example I have an artist from Portugal who paints the poster for my projects. He takes a still and the imagery from my film and creates a very beautiful piece of art to use to cover the video. Things like that are such a great collaboration to make, anything that the current indie filmmakers are doing… I do the opposite of that.
SPRING 2016- REEL from Adam Jones on Vimeo.
How do you find the process of filmmaking
Well, for me I go on a search for people. People I connect with on a personal level and someone who has a bit of darkness in them. It could be a friend or someone I just met. They are not always actors, most of the time they are models with an interesting look. I throw them in front of my nikon and put them in situations or characters (a drop out, tweaker, in heaven, dying) they just give me what they got. I cut it into a slow motion montage and have my composers from London score the scene. After a couple months of promoting I just post it to Vimeo. That’s the process of an indie filmmaker with no money. Just doing it for the art with some friends and nothing else.
What acting books do you read
Right now I am reading “An Actor Prepares” by Constatine Stanislavski. It is part of a trilogy. Great read. Definitely plan on reading all three.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I am a home builder by trade which is great body work with the right intentions. I play sports, stretch, and delve into a simple work out that keeps my body toned. I do my best to keep a balanced diet of many vegetables and fruits. I like to meditate and do deep breathing exercises and journaling to keep an understanding mentally.
Describe recent work from pre-production to marketing
“Fantasy Girl” out next week is a really amazing project. I’m really anxious for people to see it, I think for every short film I put out I just get a tiny bit better at what I’m doing. Working with more people and visual storytelling helps with my work. Post Production is my favorite process, The day I shoot is the day I have cut the scene together. I just get so excited for the result and the finished cut. Marketing is really fun for me, because I’m not looking for money or distribution deals with netflix. Instead I’m sending in my projects to local artsy newspapers, news stations, online magazines, blogs, anything that can get the film noticed. And it always worked for me… it’s a great time to promote and market the film if you have a realistic mindset.
TEASER short film from Adam Jones on Vimeo.
What are your future goals
Just grow and learn everything I can from other artists. I don’t think I’ll be making movies in the future, realistically I’ll have a day job and continue creating short films that I love. That’s all I need.
What do you think an indie filmmaker needs in today’s world
Technology is so advanced these days that you can make a feature film on your cell phone. I think in today’s world we have all of the tools we need to make films. Twenty years ago we didn’t have access to these things, now in the digital world anything can be done. Just go out there and capture something that means something to you.
