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Jones has been making films professionally for about four
years, but his interest dates back to childhood. His influences are far-reaching, ranging
from “Hitchcock, because he did a lot without saying a word” to “anyone
Black because I have a sense of part of what he/she had to go through just to have the
vision completed,” Jones said in an interview. Jones’ vision is as broad as his
influences and leads him to decline categorization. Instead, he grants himself the freedom
to explore various genres to reach the singular goal of bringing “fresh stories to
the screen.” His first film short is a teen drama (soon to be approved by the New
Jersey school system for classroom showings); his screenplays include a Black thriller in
the vein of Body Heat (Lawrence Kasdan, 1981), an urban drama, a romantic comedy, and a
traditional comedy (in progress).
His latest film short, titled Bills, Bills, Bills, is a comedy he directed and stars in.
It tells the story of an out-of-work sitcom writer who does voice impressions in order to
throw bill collectors off his trail. When Jones decided to make the film, he was faced
with the usual obstacle - money. Financing is always a touchy subject with independent
filmmakers. No one wants to talk about turning in soda cans or running up a Visa bill
until after they’ve become the new Spike Lee. But there’s no shame in
Jones’ game. He works and teaches at Temple University, a day gig that suits him
fine, seeing as he has two children and a wife to consider. But there’s still the
matter of financing his passion, which, it doesn’t take a degree in film to know, is
a pricey pursuit.
In order to make Bills, Jones summoned his family and asked for assistance. They were
happy to give, he recalled with laughter, but they definitely felt their contributions
made them instant producers. “They would say, ‘Well, okay, when he answers the
phone, how come he just answers? Couldn’t he do this or that?’” Even
Jones’ grandmother got in on the action, asking him why he didn’t choose a
“more famous speech” for his character’s impression of Martin Luther King,
Jr.
The unsinkable Merv Jones is currently submitting Bills to film festivals, while
selectively sending out his screenplays in an effort to gain representation and continuing
to hammer out new work. He knows Hollywood will come calling and he’s ever mindful of
what his grandmother always said, “Be ready.” That’s exactly what he means
to do. M
June 2001
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