Ep 14: Marquette Jones – Get your movie made, win at grad school and crack the film festival.
Marquette Jones is from Youngstown, Ohio, not far from where I grew up. She’s an alumna of NYU’s graduate film program, but before becoming a filmmaker, Marquette was a public interest attorney in Oakland, California.
Her work includes her most recent film, Forgiving Chris Brown, along with Round on Both Sides, Tunk, Heroes Wanted and Streets 2 Suites. She has also produce many other projects from short films, to commercials and PSAs for the Women in Film program.
“Have a plan and work your plan.”
When she is not busy writing, producing, or directing, Marquette indulges her obsession with color through her ever-growing nail polish collection.
In this conversation we get into everything. When it comes to filmmaking, we learn her thoughts on grad school – the good and the bad, her strategy for submitting to film festivals – they are detailed, how she writes, directs and staffs up for her films, and some writing advice she received from Spike Lee himself.
“Fund your film with a fish fry.”
We talk about her winding path from law degree to a creative career, her advocacy for women in film, and we even learn about her desire to read minds as a child. There is a ton valuable information and Marquette is a joy to listen to.
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6 Key Takeaways
- At grad school take advantage of the community and the equipment. Don’t wait be assigned a project. Make as many things as you can.
- When staffing up for a production, only hire people you don’t have to watch.
- Your eyes should be on the thing after the thing. Always be prepared with your next project. You must be ready when opportunity strikes.
- When writing ask yourself, “What would really happen in this situation?” Use music to put yourself into the mood of the characters. Write a draft from each characters perspective.
- Movies made by women filmmakers make up a small percentage of what makes it to theaters. Support your women filmmakers. Listen to Marquette’s podcast Directing Magic.
- The film festival circuit gives you something to talk about and promote on social media. Being accepted legitimizes your film, brings awareness and attracts potential support for future projects.
Follow Marquette Jones
- Twitter @Marquette_Jones
- Facebook.com/marquettejones.filmmaker
- Marquette on IMDB
- Hotcomb Pictures
- Directing Magic Podcast
Forgiving Chris Brown
Forgiving Chris Brown is a dark comedy short that follows the follies of “Rihanna”, “Halle” and “Tina”. These stylish girlfriends hope to heal their battered hearts through the old-fashioned way – Revenge.
Show Notes (Ep 14)
The ins and outs of Directing the NYU thesis film, Round on Both Sides. [03:11]
How to handle the pressure while directing. [09:50]
Early days in Ohio, reading minds, and budding creativity. [19:29]
Law school to film school. The realization. [22:35]
What Marquette didn’t learn from NYU, but should have. [27:38]
Working with and learning from the legend, Spike Lee. [38:09]
Lessons learned from moving to Los Angeles. [45:58]
The roles of marketing and self-promotion in your success as a filmmaker. [53:15]
Experiencing the icky side of LA as a woman filmmaker. [59:27]
- Gender Inequality in Film infographic
- Directors Guild of America (DGA)
- The Oscars
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Women in Film PSA Program
- Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers
- Film Fatales
- Directing Magic – a podcast by and for women filmmakers
- 1and1 Domain and Web Hosting
- GoDaddy Domain and Web Hosting
The making of Forgiving Chris Brown. [01:21:16]
- Forgiving Chris Brown
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Craig’s List – Crew Gigs, Los Angeles
- Mandy.com
- Canon EOS C300 Cinema Camcorder
- High Desert International Film Festival
- Rainier Independent Film Festival
- HolyShorts Festival
Mastering the film festival circuit. [01:34:12]
Final questions, likes and advice for filmmakers. [01:48:54]
- Federico Fellini
- Wes Anderson
- Tangerine
- Data-ism: The Revolution Transforming Decision Making, Consumer Behavior, and Almost Everything Else
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Ep 13: Hannah Nicol – Wanderlust, traveling Southeast Asia and benefits of liberal arts.
Hannah Nicol is an assistant director of international student affairs, teaches ESL classes at a university level, and spends all of her spare time traveling and dancing.
“I can do anything for a year.”
In this conversation we go into her early life growing up in Nigeria, the last 4 years she’s spent living in China and traveling Southeast Asia, how her liberal arts degree challenged her old worldview, her love of salsa dancing as a way to connect with others around the globe, and her desire to continue traveling the world and eating new and amazing foods.
“If you’re 20 and healthy, travel the world.”
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5 Key Takeaways
- Salsa dancing is a great way to connect with others while traveling alone. There are festivals located all around the world.
- Keep some kind of record of your experiences. Carry a small journal with you when you travel. Later in life you will be able to look back at all that you have done.
- Going to college can open up the world to you and allow you to think freely. Especially if you grew up in a closed family or culture.
- The world is not as mean as we think it is. People are generally kind and willing to help you.
- Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Pay attention to frequent flyer programs, and avoid the touristy areas.
Show Notes
Intro / Trip to Cambodia [00:31]
What took Hannah to Southeast Asia – Fulbright and beyond [02:59]
How Hannah became interested in education and growing up in Africa [10:24]
Cultural norms and global awareness [21:47]
Travels through Southeast Asia [26:02]
Favorite experiences from traveling in Southeast Asia [33:44]
Connecting with others through [37:56]
Work life as university teacher in Hong Kong [42:42]
Benefits of health happiness and travel first [46:03]
Journaling to capture memories and create positive focus [52:35]
Obstacles and fears in a life of travel [58:54]
One month yoga training in India [01:03:58]
Habits and rituals / exercise for happiness [01:09:02]
Major life influences [01:12:22]
Favorite books [01:20:38]
- The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver
- Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia – Elizabeth Gilbert
- Arthur Schopenhauer
- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Simone de Beauvoir
- Daniel C. Dennett
- Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
- 1984 – George Orwell
Final advice [01:25:52]
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Ep 12: Frank Fleming – Adventure & Sustainability
In this episode I talk with my friend, Frank Fleming. He’s an adventurer and the owner-operator of lawn care service in Vancouver, Canada. But it’s more than that. Frank is interested in sustainable ecosystems, and converting lawns into gardens. We talk about that and more in this episode. If you want to hear more shows like this, rate us on iTunes and let us know.
Show Notes
- Vancouver Island
- Tall Tree Music Festival
- The Inconvenient Truth
- The Corporation
- Permaculture
- Greening the Desert
- Soylent
- Jasper
- Canadian Shield
- Never Cry Wolf
- Shirine Taylor – The Wandering Nomads
- Russ McCoy – Man Bike World
- The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed – John Vaillant
- The Winter of Our Discontent – John Steinbeck