Conversation with young filmmaker Courtney Jones (WHO-005)

After reading an article about filmmaker Courtney Jones in the Bainbridge Review, BCB host Barbara Golden interviewed him to learn more about this young man’s film career.

Originally from southern California, Courtney and his family recently moved to Bainbridge Island from New Mexico -- where he had shot his latest short film, The Courier. Although filmed in New Mexico, The Courier takes place in 2027 and has little resemblance, in place or time, to the present — except the plot.  Watch the video to find out what that connection is.

In this interview, Courtney tells us about his beginnings in the film industry as a “key grip” (a job only vaguely related to the job title), his change in direction after the death of Aliya (a young singer whose music video he was working on), and the events of September 11th.

What sounds like a glamorous job was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his career.  So, with best friend, Reno Wilson — who is also a co-star of  the television series Mike and Molly — Courtney jumped into film making. Eventually he started his own company, Pod Intermedia, and teamed up with others to write and direct films.

If, like many of us, the most you know about filmmaking is paying the admission fee, this podcast should shed some light on the whole process -- and explain the “key grip” job. From venture funding to the use of a concept video, Courtney gives us a short primer on the business. And even though it’s not all glamour, he enjoys the work and creativity.

Credits: BCB host and text: Barbara Golden; BCB audio editor: Tim Bird; BCB social media publisher: Barry Peters. Photos are courtesy of Pod Intermedia.