Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrjones1984
Cluttery Collectables: http://www.ccollectables.ecrater.com/
Slumber's Kiss on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772355/
Johnathan's IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3923234/
Jonathan Jones, 26, was born on November 19, 1984. He made his first stage appearance at five years old. Since then, he made a vow to entertain people for the rest of his life. He enjoys acting, comedy, film making and writing. He also has a passion for business - a trait he picked up from his father. His first Internet business, Cluttery Collectibles, sells comic books, DVDs, video games and fan boy memorabilia.
1. What got you interested in acting and film making? Is there a certain film or actor/actress who inspired you?
I watched a lot of cartoons and movies when I was a kid. Like most children, I often pretended and mimicked several of the characters I paid attention to and I had a very vivid imagination. I loved telling stories and I wrote my first script when I was in kindergarten. It was Super Mario Bros. At a very young age, I entered acting in school and community theatre and found accomplishment in performing for people. I decided this was the business I wanted to be involved in for the rest of my life. Courtesy of Turner Classic Movies, one of the BEST networks the TV Gods ever created, I found an appreciation for black & white pictures around the age of 12 or 13. I met the people who were going to guide me and educate me: (to name a few) Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, James Stewart, Lon Chaney & Lon Chaney Jr. and Lou Costello. On a modern scale, I’m inspired by (to name a few) Don Bluth, Jim Henson, John Hughes, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and anybody else who’ve taken time to study the art and craft of acting & film making. As for what film(s) inspired me: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” holds a very special place in my heart. I ALWAYS wanted to do a project where I interacted with animation.
2. In Bill Cornelius' short film, Slumber's Kiss, you play Johnny. The character of Johnny is battling separating his real life and the dream world. In this film, you were acting in a world created in animation. What was this experience like?
It was (pause) interesting. It’s amusing because I was with the cast & crew for 4 days in Nashville, TN. This is where Bill Cornelius bases his Lavorsia Entertainment out of. We worked in front of a green screen for 1 afternoon out of those 4 days! The rest of the time was spent filming scenes that happened in the real world. Filming in front of a green screen was a first for everybody on set. It was a HUGE step for us. To be honest, it was the most challenging of the entire experience. I had to walk in place, randomly smack incoming imaginary stars and ignore the fact Karen (aka, Luna) was nowhere near me. I kudos any performer who goes through this on a routine basis.
3. Would you say there is a part of you that comes out when acting, that may not be seen in every day life? If so, what is that side of you like?
I never pay attention to who I am in real life when I’m in front of the camera. I spend so much time preparing for roles that I forgot who I am when I arrive at a filming location. I become the character and stay in character from the moment I arrive on set to the moment I leave the set. My peers have said I am confident when I’m in character, although deep down it can be noticeable that I am freaking out. Because I put so much thought and preparation into character development, I am ALWAYS afraid I will screw up somewhere and disgrace the entire production. I push on because my team at the time needs me, even if my role were a fire hydrant. (laughs)
4. Do you feel that you are much like the characters that you have played? (physically, personality, etc.)
Do you put a bit of yourself into these roles?(laughs) There is ALWAYS a part of me in the characters I’ve portrayed. I LOVE comedy so you will find me in many more comical roles in the future. Most of the roles I choose, however, are roles I can relate to. Take Johnny Nichols (“Slumber’s Kiss”) for example, he fought insomnia. I fought insomnia for several years. I knew what it was like to go an entire day/night without sleeping and having to work the next day/evening. It SUCKS! It can kill a person. His character was also looking for a way out. He was looking for the perfect opportunity to escape from a life he hated and into a life he loved and dreamt about since he was a kid. This was me and still is me today. I’m an entertainer deep down. I feel the need to entertain but I’m still VERY independent *sigh* and working a career I’d rather not be working. Till my big break comes along, I have to keep doing what I’m doing and working the career I don’t want to work because the bills will not pay themselves. Struggle is all part of a starting out artist. Not everyone is Justin Bieber and can make themselves known on YouTube. A lot of us independents have to work for what we want.
5. What is up next for you? Any projects you are currently working on, or have on your plate?
Yes, in fact. In the film universe, I’m writing a comedic short called “Hand Job”. It centers on a silly band designer who’s silly band prototype comes to life and takes control of his hand. I’m also producing and starring in an untitled fantasy short. I’ve been working quite a bit with the writer to pump out a polished script. We scouted a location last Sunday morning for two hours in the rain… that was fun. I uploaded six photo’s from the scout on my Facebook page (facebook.com/mrjones1984) if anybody wants to check them out! I’m also gearing up to film more scenes for a web series called “Comic Book World”, preparing to handle advertising/marketing for a film in Cincinnati called “The Hardship” and continuously auditioning for projects that spark my interest. On a business aspect, I’ve been VERY proud of my Internet store called Cluttery Collectibles. It’s unrelated to film but it’s still a project that’s taking off respectively. You can currently check it out at ccollectables.ecrater.com. I’m also blueprinting a business that will help market independent films so filmmakers can focus on the project and not so much the business aspect of getting their baby “out there”.
Many thanks to my good buddy Johnathan for taking time out of his busy schedule to be a part of The Mini-View.
- Brandon Bennett
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