Chris Jones Blog

A story of courage from Australia to inspire us all..

During the Heart If Gold Festival I met three film makers who had made a film on a cell phone called ‘Mankind Is No Island’, which had gone on to win many awards. Greg and Jason were around for the full festival and I interviewed them on the blog here (which also includes the film). But the third part of the team, Shane Emmet, did my two day seminar and then had to fly back home for work. He emailed me yesterday with this extraordinary and courageous story. Here’s what he said…

I was quite moved by your decision to pursue projects with more integrity after the passing of your father. I felt the same desire in 2006. You may not recall the story I briefly shared with you about my magical film moment at the Fox studios opening in Sydney watching a reel of Classic Australian films on the big screen sitting next to my sister who was also an actress. My sister Belinda Emmett was in fact the celebrity and I was basically her date that night. It was the same night she met her future husband Rove McManus who hosts a show here in Oz called Rove live.

Belinda was best known as a character on Home and Away for about 5 years, and later went on to a number of other Australian TV series before finally playing the role of Eric Bana's wife in a movie called "The Nugget". Each year, Belinda would sing at a Sydney Christmas carols televised live around the country to an audience of 2 million and a live audience of 200,000 at the Domain in Sydney.

One year in particular, as a tribute, she sang "One Sweet Day" while behind her they projected pictures of those who had passed away. It was extremely moving and one of the most amazing moments of TV I have ever seen.

Belinda had contracted breast cancer at the age of 24, (she was 2 years older than me ) and was in remission and seemingly well until she finished shooting ‘The Nugget’. She then discovered that the cancer was now bone cancer. She struggled with it for another 8 years and finally passed away in November 2006 aged 32. She had almost finished her first album (music was always her first passion) which was released posthumously (and called ‘So I Am’). I went to Network 7, two weeks after she passed away and asked them if I could sing at the carols that were taking place two weeks later in two weeks. It would be a tribute for her, and what's more, I wanted to sing with her (I knew she secretly was hoping she would be well enough that year to sing at the carols) and asked if I could sing "One Sweet Day" live against the backdrop of her singing the song ten years earlier.

They agreed.

Later, someone put it up on Youtube. It was unquestionably the most difficult and important thing that I have ever done.

I wanted to share this with you as she was truly an amazing girl and will continue to be my greatest inspiration.

Shane Emmet, Film Maker
Australia

(Note from Chris – you can watch the clip here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-3lwvlF8pg)

Thanks for sharing this Shane as I know it will inspire so many film makers too. Shanes story echoes so many other stories I have heard from people after they have seen 'Gone Fishing', whcih really makes the journey that much more rewarding for me.

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

The Tapping Guru...

Gone Fishing Producer, Ivan Clements (aka The Ivanator), has developed a side career in ‘Tapping’, a therapy that can tackle all kinds of issues, from joint pain to headaches, phobias to sleeping disorders.

Ivan has created his own blog and web presence to promote this therapy that he says has changed his life! I have had some experience of this and in some cases, the results are amazing.

I am sure you will find his blog entertaining, so mosey on over to www.tappingguru.com for a free video of Ivan in action!

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

It’s never been bloodier in Hollywood!

'It’s never been bloodier in Hollywood!'

That’s what my Manager, Andy Trapani, said to me when I met him for a sit down at a mid sized agency in LA today. There is a real sense of fear in the business with ever decreasing opportunities and the credit crunch forces the movie business to downsize.

But Andy is currently very excited as the film he co-produced last year, The Haunting In Connecticut, has been a smash hit, taking $23m in its opening weekend. He said, ‘yes there are people popping champagne corks right now…’ This is a terrific figure as it was number 2 at the box office, beating the Nic Cage behemoth ‘Knowing’. I did take note though, he wasn’t popping champagne with his colleagues, he was with me trying hard to break me into a business that really doesn’t want to know right now.

Andy warned me, ‘Don’t expect Entourage…’ and while the guy we meant was not Ari Gold, I did feel a little like Eric from the show as we made our way in.

We were meeting with an Agent that Andy had known for some time, someone he had a good working relationship with, and we were simply having a ‘meet and great’. Kind of like a first date. The Agency was mid sized by LA standards, and when comparing it to my experience with some London agents, I did laugh. Back in old Blighty, somewhere in Soho, there would be a small door next door to a sex shop, that would lead up three flights of rickety stairs to small office with no air con, so in the summer people melted. Welcome to a mid sized British Agency! This is a LONG WAY from that experience with a spacious, ultra modern feel that makes me feel at home right away. The tattooed and pierced receptionist confirmed that I was in the right place. The reception is buzzing with young talent, and rather conspicuously a very leggy blonde in an even shorter skirt. Probably an actress? Maybe a producer? Ah Hollywood!

The agents office is very sparse, just an iMac and some papers, a table and four chairs. This guy clearly spends a huge of time in meetings and on the phone, and operates a ship with cleared decks.

We start chatting and I am immediately struck by the candour and directness of the conversation, which is such a welcome relief as I am used to people speaking in meaningless hyperbolae.

So to summarise, here is some of what we discussed… This is all of course prefaced by the fact that right now Hollywood is hurting with the credit crunch, there is very little work out there, and even the smallest of films are being pursued by named directors. The heat is on. Just how I like it! OK…

1. The fact that I did not have expectations of walking into a studio gig was welcome. As was my understanding that it was going to take time and laser focus to create any results.

2. The strategy suggested was to build my team, starting with Andy, followed by a great agent and lawyer, then to go out hard, fast and wide with a number of projects. That means I need to get those projects ready for the market. Putting it another way, don’t be in any rush to get out there, get all you players and products into shape first.

3. Build on ‘Gone Fishing’, which means not taking projects to Jerry Bruckheimer, but going the Spielberg style route, so DreamWorks and Imagine Entertainment.

4. Use your team to create a ‘REAL’ plan, then the next step is key, WRITE IT DOWN, and then take action on that strategy, and revise it as needed.

5. Real talent and ability does seem to be a sought after commodity, and the belief is, if you have either, and stay the distance, you will sooner or later find success. It will probably be later though!

6. Keep creating new material, whether that’s writing new scripts, making shorts or indie features. Be self generating and working.

7. Getting a script rejected by 40 producers, agents, managers, execs etc. may feel like bad news, but it could also mean you have 40 new relationships, and if the script had something great about it, maybe you have 40 new fans too.

We discussed much more too.... and I left thanking him for his generosity and time.

As I departed, I gave Andy the prerequisite LA bear hug that we creative blokes do over here, and I headed for Starbucks to get working RIGHT AWAY on my plan, and my new screenplay. It’s coming together well too, though still in the concept stage… But I have a title now…

‘Emo’

More on ‘Emo’ as and when.

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

Gone Fishing plays MethodFest AND Lake Arrowhead Film Festivals!

What an incredible couple of days that followed getting back from Australia… MethodFest and then a few days later, Lake Arrowhead! Meeting so many great new film makers, directors and even movie stars. What a wild ride…

Sadly though, as you can probably pickup from the video, I am so tired now, and kind of burned out, much of it is whizzing me by in a kind of festival blur. Of course, when one gets on stage to receive an award, that blur is replaced by an immediate focus, but the hours that follow become hazy very quickly and I am left with a deep need to get into a bed a snooze.

I have several meetings with LA folk before I fly back this weekend, and then work will really begin in full on the next project, or projects. I am exhausted but feel a new energy for that next film that will dominate the next few years of my life…

And to Lucia, BABY I AM COMING HOME!

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

The Heart of Gold Film festival, Gympie, Australia, The COMPLETE WEBISODE

As is now customary, I have edited ALL the webisodes from the ‘Heart Of Gold Film Festival’ together, along with the ‘Performance Awards’ in London, into a single webisode.

The sheer scale and diversity of this webisode – the behind the scenes, the interviews with film makers, the shooting on opposite sides of the planet (and uploading / downloading footage for editing on both sides of the planet) and the fact that we have made nearly an hour of doc style programme, really does illustrate that it is possible to conceive, shoot, edit and distribute in a day.

If you have enjoyed these webisodes, please tell your friends to swing by and check them out… Astonishingly, we have GREAT news yet to come too… Check back!

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

The Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass, The Aussie View

After the dust is settling on The Heart Of Gold Film Festival, I thought I would share with you some of the comments I received from the film makers who attended the two day Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass Redux! It seems the new first day, which is about much deeper and I believe important issues, such as career planning, story choice and a good hard look at oneself, ones dreams, ambitions and skills, really resonated with the group. I hoped it would as I know I could have used this kind of kick up the butt many times over the years. Anway, here’s what they had to say.

After producing a string of award-winning short-films and doco's, and frustrated at not being able to move to the next stage with our concepts, we were feeling spent and disillusioned. Then we met Chris Jones' at his Guerrilla Filmmakers workshop in Gympie, Australia. Wow, man he put the steel back into our rod. The passion is back...we are on the road again...watch out world...here we come.
Greg Hall, Producer - The Treehive, Australia

I left the masterclass totally inspired and excited by my future. Chris has so much energy and passion for the subject that you can't help but become wrapped up in and enjoy what he is talking about. I have no idea how he manages to speed talk and impart so much information in such a short time! I came to the class wondering how on earth to do my next film, and even if I had it in me. I left thrilled and I am now jumping in with this great new knowledge and energy. I loved talking about fears and what you need to make it work... Thank you for inspiring me!
Hailey - film-maker from Brisbane

It was truly an empowering experience and one that I know Jason, Greg and myself absolutely needed. In fact it was precisely what we needed. Chris was unquestionably the most honest, candid, and generous film maker I have had the pleasure to meet. He met each day with extraordinary energy and crammed those days not merely with information, but with affirmation and ultimately inspiration. He treated every participant with such wonderful respect and patience regardless of experience, and offered to us not only tools and ideas but himself. To be honest, I learned more in those two days than I have in years of filmmaking, not just about the craft, but about myself. If I was weary, frustrated and uncertain of my standing in a filmic world when I arrived, I have departed, energised, focused and tremendously excited about taking our work to the next phase. In short- a life changing experience.
Shane Emmett, Film Maker, QLD, Australia

As someone relatively new to filmmaking I was keen to learn more about the details of the film industry, but Chris Jones’ masterclass gave me so much more than that. It was a 2 day rollercoaster ride of inspiration, motivation and creativity, an invitation to live the dream, to feel the fear and do it anyway. Chris provides a unique insider’s view of filmmaking that doesn’t glamorise the process or dumb it down. There’s plenty of real-life examples and – yes – horror stories but it’s all so incredibly useful and inspiring. Chris shows that the stairway to filmmaking heaven may be dirty and slippery but it’s still there for anyone bold and creative enough to attempt it. I can’t recommend it enough.
Karen Jackson, writer and filmmaker, Gympie, Queensland, Australia

The class was somehow the exact inspiringly motivating kick in the arse that I needed. It was jammed packed full of crucial information that I as a film maker need to be armed with in order to take on the complex game that is Film-Making, Distribution and Production. On the way home on the plane I couldn't stop scribbling down ideas, scenes from films, dialogue. I feel like a new person, a truly creative person.
Emily Bissland, Award Winning Animator, Australia

I was particularly impressed at how you managed to pitch it to such a diverse audience with varying degrees of experience in film making.  I also loved the balance you struck between realism and inspiration - a fine line and perfectly pitched I thought.  I also loved your choice of content - steering away from the technicalities which anyone can learn / teach, focusing instead on the insider tips, career trajectory, useful anecdotes and sales and distribution ins and outs.  Thoroughly worthwhile and interesting, fun and inspiring.
Lucy Mayes, social activist, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Thanks so much to Chris Jones for the Guerilla Filmmakers' Seminar. Delivered with sincerity, enthusiasm and humour, it was a fantastic insight into the world of independent filmmaking and beyond. Chris made the dream of making a film seem so much more achievable and I was inspired and motivated on many levels.
Su Foster, Sound Designer and aspiring Filmmaker - Gympie, Australia

I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming all the way to Australia to do the Guerilla Masterclass! Even though there were almost 30 other people in the room, it felt like everything you were saying was directed right at me - it was everything I needed to hear and learn. Parts of the seminar were challenging and really made me re-think what my goals are and how to achieve them. I feel like I'm a lot clearer on what I want to do now. Every part of the seminar was exciting, positive and useful. It was so great to hear about your experiences and what you've learnt from them. Having the chance to hear about the experiences of the other people in the group was also really interesting. Even though the seminar only went for two days, by the end of the second day it felt like home. I didn't want it to end. So, thankyou for reassuring us all that our movies are worth making and reminding us that every finished movie is a miracle. I really think that's true!
Candice Deere, Writer/Producer from Maryborough

Blimey! What can I say? Just planning the next UK Masterclass, and if you want to come, drop me a line at [email protected]. 

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

Heart Of Gold, the Conclusion...

This final webisode from the Heart Of Gold Film Festival was edited partly in Australia and LA, and even a bit on the plane! I had to come back to LA directly as I had the MethodFest Film Festival AND the Lake Arrowhead Festivals this week in California.

I was sad to say goodbye to Australia, but know that unless I am neck deep in a movie next year, I will be coming back. The video says it all and my bed is beckoning…

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]

Heart Of Gold Opens with TGFMM

Less than 24 hours after flying into Australia, I was lined up for my two day Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass. I can tell you I was quite nervous as among the group were film makers who had been cameramen for 40 years, actors with over 50 features under the belt and a director searching for his next feature, he had only made four features so far! So when I kicked off, my heart was beating pretty fast. I need not have worried though as I was among friends. The guys in the room were everything I love about film makers. Open minded, playful, generous, challenging, entertaining, thought provoking, and yes, as Pancho (who you saw lots of in the video) in search of greater truths, a worthy quest for anyone. And Pancho, who is exactly like he is in the video (bonkers, but in a good way), is an extremely successful photographer who became the darling of the festival as he worked so hard taking amazing photos and infected everyone with his charming personality.

The two days whisked away in a blur, separated only by a whistle stop tour to a genuine Aussie BBQ with G’Fisher AP Simon VanDerSpoel and his lovely family and friends. Boy do the Aussies have an amazing lifestyle. Makes me wonder why so many of them are in London!

Over these two days I became aware that in the room were new friends, and new possible collaborators. This was a truly unexpected gift and I look forward to seeing how things develop. I also took a call with the Aussie equivalent of the UK Film Council, about bringing one of the features I am working on, ‘From Beneath Us’, to Australia. And we made good headway. So it’s possible I may be jetting back sometime soon. And between us, I could not think of a better place to shoot the movie, if the guys on the seminar were anything to go by.

The festival Gala Opening was awesome too, and if you listen to the soundtrack, you will hear that when the audience clapped and cheered at the end of Gone Fishing, they also started stamping their feet too! That’s never happened before.

The picture on the video is a GREAT indicator of the tone of the festival and the Aussie film business too. It’s a shot of the guys who made Mankind Is No Island, featured on the blog a could of days ago, hauling festival director Toni Powell out of the Gala Opening, in costume for a new project they are promting – they are dressed as the Design Crimes Police. Gotta love em!

I have not fixed a date yet, but I will be running the masterclass in the UK in a few months, so if you would like to attend, drop me an email at [email protected], and I will be in touch when I am back in a few weeks.

Onwards and upwards!

Chris Jones, Film Maker and Author

www.livingspirit.com
[email protected]