American Gumbo* Short Film

We have come to the end of this journey (I hope). I'm posting the film via youtube here and on my website, www.nolamovie.com Hope you enjoy!

New Gumbo Short Film Trailer

Jean-Luc Godard meets "The Hills" in New Orleans. Jonathan Isaac Jackson uses a non-linear structure of focusing on interesting moments and scenes, that when put in succession, become its own unique narrative

American Gumbo* has been edited down to 20 minutes. Short film. Jazzy. Trailer will examplify what the new cut of the film looks like. Sorry for the re-edits. Just trying to make it the best it can be.

On Set... kinda

DVD Cover Art

... about "American Gumbo*"...

“American Gumbo was an idea flushed out of the need to make a project that focused on New Orleans and it's people. As a filmmaker in NOLA (New Orleans, LA), I feel that our independent cinema is not what it should be. We tend to focus on everything around us, when the gem IS us. Our culture. I wrote a film "i am nola' in the summer of 2008 with Dennis Nguyen, and tried to push it to get made. Because of the nature of financing in New Orleans, it was not going to get made unless I found a way to do it myself, which was an option But because I wanted New Orleans to be seen in the most beautiful light possible, I chose not to shoot in myself and end up with something that wasn't excellent. In February of 2010, during Mardi Gras, my car broke down, and I was forced to ride the public transit to and from work. The rides, the loss of pride, and the time alone forced me to think, and out of this thinking came 'American Gumbo*", a film of people talking about the city, sort of a pre 'i am nola'. The idea was to put friends in a room and just have them talk, and the basis of their stories would create the narrative. So, on May 12th, they sat down and talked, and what they made was an America Gumbo*.”

American Gumbo* Sneak Peek 'Remi and Mike'

Towards the end of the night, Remi decided he didn't want to shoot his scene. So we begged him, and he relented and shot this 20 minute scene with Mike Kenny. It was classic. In this sneak peek, Remi talks about Bon Jovi and Why everyone needs a Big Mike in their life. We had the greatest time, and laughed until the end. Within the film, Remi and Mike joke with each other, but also take a couple minutes to talk about why they think their French Quarter bar, 'Hostel', did not work out.

"American Gumbo*" Sneak Peek 'Rebecca and Lisa'

Here is a sneak peek into "America Gumbo*" with Rebecca Baras and Lisa Nahay. They talk about the culture of New Orleans and how it is to live here. Things are moving along, and except for my PC acting up, things look fine. We had a great shoot day with all of the people involved, and Remi helped out big time once again by playing double duty. Although the music will be handled by Moby, I've included another composer, Kevin MacLeod to handle the score, which I believe will give the film a more cinematic feel. Look for more sneak peeks coming within the next week...

Rebecca Barras and Lisa Nahay talk about the city of New Orleans and their feelings on the culture in their short sneak peek of "American Gumbo*"



Musical Score by Kevin MacLeod

Director of Photography Patrick Marrero

Directed by Jonathan Isaac Jackson

Crawfish Homicide

American Gumbo* Rough Open

Here is a rough open of AG*. Mike will open up with a voice over over the Saints Parade footage. We look to start shooting on May 12th, and hope to be finished by the last week of May. So far, so good...

Here is a rough open of AG*. Mike will open up with a voice over over the Saints Parade footage. So far, so good...

'miami gumbo'

Mike Kenny, Javier Drada, and David Richard's trip to Miami for the WMC... the chill version, at least...

Mike Kenny, Javier Drada, and David Richard's trip to Miami for the WMC... the chill version, at least...

'beer'

Pre-Pro

In order for me and everyone to be on the same page, I took stills from "The Girlfriend Experience" to use as examples of what I am looking for in shots, as far as American Gumbo. I can't draw for shit, so this is how I usually have to due it. It's more fun, because not only do I use the stills as examples, but it also allows me to study composition and color. Here are the pics, so let me know what you think...

'work related'

'Disco Inferno"

St. Patrick's Caroline

Music - 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond

Moby's 'Wait For Me' Music Video

I just entered this competition yesterday for Moby's new video. I am really proud of what I've submitted, and love the way the video is portrayed from my perspective. I am now in the process of whoring myself out so that I can get votes and win the contest, so I can get a real camera and film 'American Gumbo', or what ever other film I want to make whenever I want to make it (it's called freedom, and I don't have it right now). So, please vote for the video, and spread the word...

You can vote at this address... http://genero.tv/watch-video/2370/

'A little roux...'

I've started the editing process by editing the first part of the open. I'm not guaranteeing that this will be exactly how I'll open the film, but this is the general idea. It involves a conversation me, Mike Kenny, and Remi at The Balcony on Magazine about porn. As I stated before, I may switch it up as far as tone, but that will be dictated by the rest of what we shoot. So... that's the roux...

American Gumbo open privew from Jonathan Jackson on Vimeo.

'Playlist for 3.4.2010'

1.Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
2.Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
3.Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4.Hella Good - No Doubt
5.Human Nature - Michael Jackson
6.The Message - Nas
7.Why Don't We Fall In Love - Amerie
8.The Future - Diddy

'let me tell you about my boat'

Yup. Was working on some ideas, and thought, why not make a short video using Mark Mothersbaurgh's 'Let Me Tell You About My Boat'. I like it. Do you?

Music by Mark Mothersbaugh

'rock box music'

'digital love'

As I gear up mentally for 'American Gumbo', I've decided to go look back at my other projects to see what types of mistakes were made and how this project can be better. I feel as if I've gotten better with each project, but I have a way to go to be as good in the industry as I want to be. Some projects really stand out in my memory, because they all have a story behind them. And that's one of the great things about being an auter... There is always a story behind every story.

'wishful wednesday'

A cool day off, and I need to blog to feel productive.So I'll make playlist and shit if you wanna check some cool/hot fire out.

Today I watched...

History of the World Part 1

There Will Be Blood

... and listened to...

Playlist #1 2.17.2010

'Steppin Out' by Joe Jackson
'Africa' Toto
'Owner Of A Lonley Heart' by YES
'All Y'All' by Timbaland and Magoo
'Dance With Me' by Orleans
'Reminiscing' by Little River Band
'Bang Theory' by World Leader Pretend

'Force Who Feed Dat'

It's so cold in the D. Saints Parade. Happy about the new mayor, but he cannot dance. All in all, good times.

Music by Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Rich'

'reaction to Heartley's game winning kick'...

'Lil Corey'

'Johnny Angel'

I promised Johnny to do this back in November, right after we shot the PSA for LASPCA. But work played a part, and other things popped up, so it was postponed until now. My bad, Johnny Angel. But I like the way it came out, so I hope he likes it too...

Shot by Patrick Marrero
Directed and Edited by Jonathan Jackson

'd's birthday pics'

damion yancy vs. white shadow

This week was Damion's birthday, in which he decided to celebrate for like, 5 days. nothing wrong with that. DJ White Shadow came to town, and we had fun, but it would have been better if I were allowed to get drunk also. All in all, good fun, and a trip to Chicago has been added into future plans... Audio is from DJ White Shadow 'Cancun 09' mix, which makes me ponder... where is a new Yancy Dance mix?