An Evening with Dean Jones
An interview with the executive producer of 'Once a Clown'
An Evening with Dean Jones
At XRhodes Films, we're always looking to work with the best up-and-coming talent in film. As a result of this mentality, we're happy to announce that Dean Jones will now 'officially' be working with us going forward. He'll not be working with us exclusively so you'll be able to see his talents elsewhere, too!
Chris: Dean Jones - Welcome to XRhodes Films!
Dean: Thanks, Chris. It’s great to be here.
CC: So, Dean, I always like to start off by exploring who you are, not what you do. So, tell us a little about yourself. Where you're from, what you enjoy, anything at all.
DJ: Wow, straight into it then! I hate these questions, I never know how to answer them. Well, I am a born and bred Scouser. I’ve lived in Liverpool all my life, so it only makes sense that I’m a huge LFC fan. Aside from my love of football, I have a love for film. Especially for the future of film, and what will be produced in the next (let’s say) forty years. It’s a crazy thought. I love an old movie, but nothing excites me more than thinking of whats to come. I try not to look back too much, its not the direction I’m headed in.
CC: Now, let's get to it. Outside of XRhodes Films, what do you see as being your preferred role in filmmaking? Are you the go-to guy for all things
camera, the man with the continuity eyes of a hawk, or are you the face that runs the place?
DJ: I suppose I could be seen as the go-to guy for all things to be honest! I’m very versatile and can help in all corners of production, pre and post. But I don’t intend to job-hop until I figure out where I see myself on set.
My true preferred role would be as Producer/Director. Being at the centre of a production is so thrilling, and it’s fresh every time. Being around creative individuals for hours on set creates an almost perfect atmosphere. Perfect would include sticking to schedule! But nothing ever does. How boring would it be if everything went to plan? The first time I went on a film set I knew had to go back.
CC: You're only young, how old are you?
DJ: 21. I’m closer to thirty than I am ten. I’m guessing it’s all downhill from here!
CC: So, being a young filmmaker, often it can take a while to regularly achieve the role you're after. What would you say is the role you're most often placed in when working with other filmmakers?
DJ: Presently, on most of the productions I’ve worked on I’ve ghosted behind the scenes. Mainly helping with little things here and there that aid production, as well as giving critical feedback. Some people find it hard to give or take feedback, but it provokes thought regardless. I’m an easy going guy and I’m not afraid to not hold back with criticism or give my own creative input. Some people think they’re raining on someone else’s parade when they want to offer input, but if something needs to be said, I’ll say it.I’ve co-directed and edited two shorts with a friend whom I have a fantastic working relationship with. I wouldn’t say I’ve been given any specific roles on set so-to-speak as of yet. Though, joining XRhodes should hopefully open up that door for me.
I also write. I have scripts which I’ve abandoned and are in need of editing. I feel like my time away from them and my ideas have given me a fresh perspective on how to tackle them. I feel like I’m ready to get my head in the game.
CC: So, a little deeper, why do you do this? It's not exactly the easiest industry to thrive in, but of course, has it's rewards. So, why the film industry?
DJ: There is a whole range of different reasons for why I’m drawn to film. It’s hard to put my finger on. What I do know is I’m in love with stories. Stories that make you feel and stories that matter. Everybody has a story to tell and so do I. That, combined with the technical side of filmmaking, and working with a massive group of creative individuals just sits right with me.
CC: If you weren't here, what would you be doing? Did you want be anything else when you 'grew up'?
DJ: A surgeon, a teacher, pro gamer, Minister for Magic, Spider-Man... the list goes on..In all seriousness, to be honest, I don’t know what I’d be doing. When I left college I worked a full year in pensions. Now, don’t get me wrong. It was a promising and rewarding job. One morning, three weeks into the job, I sat there at my desk and thought, “Is this it? I crunch numbers daily for the next fifty years and aim to retire with enough money to keep me afloat? Nope.”
Wherever I would’ve ended up, I would’ve ended up turning to film.
CC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you have a long-term plan?
DJ: I’ll let you know in five years. As long as I’m alive and well then I couldn’t ask for more!
CC: Let's talk about your first project with XRhodes Films. 'Once a Clown'. How did your involvement with the project come around?
DJ: Murphy contacted me with a script and asked me to give it a read and share some thoughts. So I did. I read it, I liked it, I got back to him and we chatted. Next thing I know, I’m on board.I previously worked with Murphy when I cast him in a short film I made last year. He was outstanding and I knew I wanted to work with him again in whatever capacity that would be.
CC: What thoughts did you have on the film and the script? We like to encourage full honesty at XRhodes, so feel free to criticise, if it requires it!
DJ: First thought - overly ambitious. But this was soon to be totally disproven.Second thought - I don’t think I can criticise anything yet! We’ll have to wait for the first cut of the film..
CC: Are you working on anything else at the moment? Can you tell us anything about it?
DJ: A few scripts for different things. I shan’t share too much, but I’m excited.
CC: Well, as the fourth member of XRhodes Films, I'm sure we'll speak to you again, but lastly, if anyone reading is feeling generous - What's your
drink of choice?
DJ: Surprise me.
CC: Thank you for your time, Dean. We look forward to working with you
again!
DJ: Thanks, Chris. It’s been nice to chat.
Chris: Dean Jones - Welcome to XRhodes Films!
Dean: Thanks, Chris. It’s great to be here.
CC: So, Dean, I always like to start off by exploring who you are, not what you do. So, tell us a little about yourself. Where you're from, what you enjoy, anything at all.
DJ: Wow, straight into it then! I hate these questions, I never know how to answer them. Well, I am a born and bred Scouser. I’ve lived in Liverpool all my life, so it only makes sense that I’m a huge LFC fan. Aside from my love of football, I have a love for film. Especially for the future of film, and what will be produced in the next (let’s say) forty years. It’s a crazy thought. I love an old movie, but nothing excites me more than thinking of whats to come. I try not to look back too much, its not the direction I’m headed in.
CC: Now, let's get to it. Outside of XRhodes Films, what do you see as being your preferred role in filmmaking? Are you the go-to guy for all things
camera, the man with the continuity eyes of a hawk, or are you the face that runs the place?
DJ: I suppose I could be seen as the go-to guy for all things to be honest! I’m very versatile and can help in all corners of production, pre and post. But I don’t intend to job-hop until I figure out where I see myself on set.
My true preferred role would be as Producer/Director. Being at the centre of a production is so thrilling, and it’s fresh every time. Being around creative individuals for hours on set creates an almost perfect atmosphere. Perfect would include sticking to schedule! But nothing ever does. How boring would it be if everything went to plan? The first time I went on a film set I knew had to go back.
CC: You're only young, how old are you?
DJ: 21. I’m closer to thirty than I am ten. I’m guessing it’s all downhill from here!
CC: So, being a young filmmaker, often it can take a while to regularly achieve the role you're after. What would you say is the role you're most often placed in when working with other filmmakers?
DJ: Presently, on most of the productions I’ve worked on I’ve ghosted behind the scenes. Mainly helping with little things here and there that aid production, as well as giving critical feedback. Some people find it hard to give or take feedback, but it provokes thought regardless. I’m an easy going guy and I’m not afraid to not hold back with criticism or give my own creative input. Some people think they’re raining on someone else’s parade when they want to offer input, but if something needs to be said, I’ll say it.I’ve co-directed and edited two shorts with a friend whom I have a fantastic working relationship with. I wouldn’t say I’ve been given any specific roles on set so-to-speak as of yet. Though, joining XRhodes should hopefully open up that door for me.
I also write. I have scripts which I’ve abandoned and are in need of editing. I feel like my time away from them and my ideas have given me a fresh perspective on how to tackle them. I feel like I’m ready to get my head in the game.
CC: So, a little deeper, why do you do this? It's not exactly the easiest industry to thrive in, but of course, has it's rewards. So, why the film industry?
DJ: There is a whole range of different reasons for why I’m drawn to film. It’s hard to put my finger on. What I do know is I’m in love with stories. Stories that make you feel and stories that matter. Everybody has a story to tell and so do I. That, combined with the technical side of filmmaking, and working with a massive group of creative individuals just sits right with me.
CC: If you weren't here, what would you be doing? Did you want be anything else when you 'grew up'?
DJ: A surgeon, a teacher, pro gamer, Minister for Magic, Spider-Man... the list goes on..In all seriousness, to be honest, I don’t know what I’d be doing. When I left college I worked a full year in pensions. Now, don’t get me wrong. It was a promising and rewarding job. One morning, three weeks into the job, I sat there at my desk and thought, “Is this it? I crunch numbers daily for the next fifty years and aim to retire with enough money to keep me afloat? Nope.”
Wherever I would’ve ended up, I would’ve ended up turning to film.
CC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you have a long-term plan?
DJ: I’ll let you know in five years. As long as I’m alive and well then I couldn’t ask for more!
CC: Let's talk about your first project with XRhodes Films. 'Once a Clown'. How did your involvement with the project come around?
DJ: Murphy contacted me with a script and asked me to give it a read and share some thoughts. So I did. I read it, I liked it, I got back to him and we chatted. Next thing I know, I’m on board.I previously worked with Murphy when I cast him in a short film I made last year. He was outstanding and I knew I wanted to work with him again in whatever capacity that would be.
CC: What thoughts did you have on the film and the script? We like to encourage full honesty at XRhodes, so feel free to criticise, if it requires it!
DJ: First thought - overly ambitious. But this was soon to be totally disproven.Second thought - I don’t think I can criticise anything yet! We’ll have to wait for the first cut of the film..
CC: Are you working on anything else at the moment? Can you tell us anything about it?
DJ: A few scripts for different things. I shan’t share too much, but I’m excited.
CC: Well, as the fourth member of XRhodes Films, I'm sure we'll speak to you again, but lastly, if anyone reading is feeling generous - What's your
drink of choice?
DJ: Surprise me.
CC: Thank you for your time, Dean. We look forward to working with you
again!
DJ: Thanks, Chris. It’s been nice to chat.
(c) XRhodes Films 2021
All Rights Reserved.
All Rights Reserved.