We recently connected with China Jones and have shared our conversation below.

China, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on are the ones I’m working on now…

Bad Apple (feature film)
Red Sand (feature film)
What Criminals Do (feature film)
Coco & Chai (Television Series)
King Henry (Television Series)

The epidemics of missing children, African American, Indigenous and other women of color around the world as well as the continued problem of police brutality and the murder of black people at the hands of police every single day in this country cannot become normalized. These are more than a subject, issue or sound bite, these are major problems that need to be addressed in every medium worldwide.

Each one of the projects mentioned above tackles one or more of these problems and shines a light directly onto the problem in a creative and entertaining way so that the story resonates with the audience so they not only understand but may feel compelled to look into further.

I have a mother, daughters, sisters, aunts and cousins that walk outside every day and have to worry if they’re coming home. I’ve known people that have gone missing, been human trafficked and worse. I’ve been the victim of police brutality and known the hatred police hold for the black community my entire life. These are not going to stop or be cracked down on unless it’s out there in the forefront of people’s consciousness and not forgotten with the flip of an internet page.

China, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a 28 year screenwriter, 15 year actor and producer. I graduated from New York Film Academy, primarily focused on writing but over the years have been acting and producing.

How I got into the business is always a strange question because I started writing screenplays in 1995 and never stopped. I took every job I could get, big or small and just kept trying to get better at my craft until I got the opportunity to go to NYFA.

I’m a consummate writer, I write every single day, when I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing, I’m constantly coming up with new idea’s and storylines. I’ve been told I’m a very prolific writer but I attribute that to how often I write and the hours upon hours I put into writing. I know for a fact, even if I wasn’t in this industry, I would still be writing one way or another.

I enjoy acting very much, it’s a side that I didn’t think I would enjoy or actually be any good at but just like anything else, you have to learn your craft day by day and keep learning to keep improving. I put 150% into every job I do, whether it’s writing, acting or producing.

Working with established actors, musicians and producers such as Gbenga Annkinagbe from The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and The Wire, Grammy winning Jazz singer Gregory Porter and Rap artist Pharoahe Monch as well as Comedian Hadiyah Robinson from the Comedy Store and the Grind Web Series and gave me the confidence that the film industry this was where I needed to be.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I guess I would say, confusion, frustration and rejection are the biggest things in this business to have to deal with. Confusion being learning which way to go and figuring out the steps to take. Frustration from not having patients, feeling like you aren’t getting anywhere and feeling defeated from rejection.

I was ignored or rejected for years looking for a manager or agent or both, I had scripts rejected repeatedly for years, I’ve had idea’s stolen, had people I thought were friends stab me in the back to keep me from moving up without them or because I was getting opportunities that they didn’t.

You can’t allow these things to get in the way or make you quit if this is what you really want to do. Focus on getting better every day in whatever you’re trying to do and keep working for it. There is no quick way to do this.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Making my first short films and realizing you can’t be a one trick pony in this business. I had to expand my skill set, learn to act, direct, produce, AD (assistant director) and work crew. This business hasn’t been a one skill business in 30 years and you’re going to have to learn to put on multiple hats to succeed. I had to widen my skill set to open new doors and keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/scriptdreams/
• Other: exclusiveartistsagency.com