Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquise Jones
Hi Marquise, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a creative since I was eight & in the third grade. I was seeking more from school that wasn’t academic so I joined the Georgia Film Academy team for Dimon Elementary. We were given a theme and we had to submit a three minute short film for it to compete against other schools in South Georgia. I learned how to pitch, film, and edit within a couple of months, and I swore, I was an expert. Maybe I was slightly because our team placed in the competition. I LOVED the experience, so much that I rejoined the next year.
Sadly, we didn’t place the following year and I hung it up. I just let film become a distant cousin, I only see at Christmas. It seemed like film and I were meant to reconnect, because out of the blue, my 8th-grade Pre-AP Spanish teacher offered me a spot on his GFA team. I agreed to join, and BOOM reunited. Our CO-Advisor must’ve saw the passion in my eye as I worked on the project, he told me I should go to this school that specializes in Film and Broadcast and I would be at a place where I could hone my skills as a creative. After we secured second place that year, I took it seriously and went to Shaw High School.
I enjoyed my time there, I made fun videos while honing my filmmaking skills, competing with my classmates to get the best laughs and create the best content. Shaw also had GFA, me and my team went on to win first place twice. Junior year came and it was time to choose colleges and careers, I was actually already set. Back in the 6th grade, I thoroughly prepped on becoming an architect or a civil engineer. I spent my summer, researching and envisioning the life of architect or a civil engineer. Asking and googling, “what were the best colleges, what are the steps, where was the best place to live, how much money did they make?” and even practiced by drawing the plans of my future house. After experiencing all the filmmaking I did my entire life, I couldn’t imagine a life without creating. So I applied to Georgia State University, got in, and made Film and Media my major.
I spent time connecting and creating with the best of Atlanta, and furthering my skills. Since graduating I’ve been continuing my career as a Writer, Director, Producer, and Photographer. My most notable work, includes editing for the web series, Pledge, promotional content for Netflix, & currently writing, directing, and producing web series, music videos, and commercials and so many upcoming projects.
I got to where I am by knowing that I am NOT the best, there always more to learn from others as well as knowing that I’m my only competition. Through every challenge, I’ve held onto the belief that everything happens for a reason. I know that my creativity, perseverance, and faith in God will continue to guide me on this journey
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, of course not. I’m downtown right now, ducking and dodging as many potholes as possible. Right after graduation, I was fully immersed in “surviving a dry spell” and had to learn to create my own opportunities and use that time to grow and study up. After that, I was in the hole of “recognize I’m talented wherever I go, even when I have to move out the city.” I’m currently climbing out of the “you might not have the budget to create what you want, but creatives create with whatever they have” hole, and I have loss about 15 lbs climbing out of that one so thank you Atlanta potholes, no does it like you.
What doesn’t kill you makes you lose weight… apparently, so keep them coming.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As Aliyah’s Interlude would say, I’m in my Writer-Director era, writing scripts that aim to make you laugh, smile, get you through a tough day, while throwing in some tense and/or love stories. Occasionally I sneak in some subliminal messages about the world we live in.
I just make art and tell the truth about the world I see, from my computer screens to your viewing screens.
Right now, I most proud of some scripts the world hasn’t seen yet, I’m exploring extreme honesty and the truth is scary and it hurts, but I do I love the work I have done with Black Pilgrim Productions, The Gentlemen, and my personal work with my clients.
What sets me apart is how deeply I care about people, especially young people. I’m always mindful of the messages I convey and the imagery I use in my work. I never want to negatively influence or impact anyone’s mind for a quick buck—my focus is on creating meaningful art.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m excited to bring my scripts to life, I’ve been working extremely hard and I just want to share my art with everyone, hoping it brings laughs, smiles, tears, screams, I’ll take what I can get.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mrqsjones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrqsjones/
Image Credits
Joshua Smith
Josh Gaffney
Marquise Jones
