We were lucky to catch up with Jonathan “gus” Eid recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jonathan “Gus”, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
In public I would say Buffy Summers, which is true. But, also true is that my mother is my hero. I’d never admit this to her, so sssh.
I was raised by a single mother. While there were phases where my father was there, the constant in my life was always my mother. She raised two boys and worked countless jobs; restaurant worker, security guard, character at chidren’s parties. That last one really stuck in my mind. She and I laugh about one time, even at a young age, I was able to figure out she was the Big Bird character at a children’s party by the mysterious yellow feathers in our back seat.
My mother was an underdog who was looked down upon by both sides of the family. Yet all I saw was a strong woman. It’s why I gravitated toward watching media with strong women who were underdogs. As I began to develop my skills as a writer I found that’s generally what I wrote about. Stories about underdogs you would root for. About strong female characters that empower and inspire. Because that’s the kind of woman who raised me.
I gained so much witnessing her strong work ethic that I carry it with me to this very day. I would work a full time job and on my off days I would either be cramming 12 – 18 units in order to acquire my degrees (a BA and MFA from Chapman University) or drive to Los Angeles to work on a set.
When funds aren’t on my side but there’s a story I need to tell or a project I desire to shoot I find a way. I pull every resource I have, think outside the box, do whatever I can to make it happen. Honesty, sometimes the final product is a solid film shot on a nice camera (Mary Reborn, Am I High Yet?, Angel Street) Other times, it’s a project shot on two old Samsung phones (Indigo Sweet). But, what’s the alternative? Just… not shoot? Stop writing? That’s not in my upbringing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Jonathan “Gus” Eid. My earliest experience in filmmaking came from my school. I went to Orange Coast Community college where I met people and worked on short films off campus. Then I continued my education at Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts where I received my BA in Screenwriting and MFA in Television and Film Producing. School taught me how to turn my ideas into a script. It got my feet wet when it came to set etiquette, how to network, and really instilled a strong foundation when it came to producing.
From there most of my experience and knowledge came from working on film and photography sets. I learned a lot from interning as well especially the term I did at Stand Up 2 Cancer.
But, that’s only half of it. By producing my own content I was really able to learn how to direct. It took me three films to really feel confident as a director. I also listened to the people around and try to educate myself further. Specifically how to communicate with other departments, specificaly with actors. I took acting classes, read books, and even took classes at the Groundlings to give me a better experience of what it was like in front of the camera.
With that said, I need to pay my rent and bills. Also don’t get me started on my student loan debt. So I work a “day job” and let me tell you working at places like Disney’s California Adventure and Costco have taught me so many valuable skills. I’ve learned how to work with people, when to take “it” and when to stand your ground. I especially learned how to think on my feet and take charge.
I am proud of every project I have been able to film so far. I don’t have a lot of money do what I can with the little I have. I try to make the experience of shooting a memorable experience where every feels valued. Where at the end of the day you will want to work with me again.
Know when you watch something that I have produced that everyone beind the camera has worked their hardest to give you this finished product. That I want to tell the best story possible or I wouldn’t even turn on the camera.
If you like camp, horror, romcoms, coming of age, and drama (specifically teen). You’ll love my brand of content that I produce under the name: Bite Me Films.
How’d you meet your business partner?
One of my biggest upcoming projects is a webseries entitled ‘Angel Street.’ It’s Gossip Girl meets One Tree Hill (which I LOVE). Sometimes I pitch it as Beverly Hills 90210 a splash of Melrose Place. ‘Cause c’mon, those were gems.
I’m working alongside Gioya Tuma-Waku, an amazing actress, producer, and writer. We met through a film project that I was shooting with a few friends from a film Meet Up group. I rememered first seeing her footage and just thinking “OK, she is FUNNY!” We worked well on set and kept in contact. That led to me casting her in my follow up short ‘Am I High Yet?” and practically every project after that. That’s when she approached me with the story about young adults in Los Angeles. She really wanted to act but didn’t want to write it. She loved my writing, I loved writing and her acting. So we went forward with it. I did rewrites and we gathered the funds. Shooting was an interesting journey that taught us many valuable lessons. I specifically learned how working with the right partner can elevate you as a person and producer.
It’s interesting how something as simple as a Meet zup group short can introduce you to someone who will affect your life in the best way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Early in my journey I was hit by a virus. I remember working, feeling sick, popping tylenol like candy. I actually sold two Mr. Potato Head boxes (which was a big thing for me back in the days at DCA). Thing was I never got better. What I assumed was the flu turned out much worse. I remember not having health insurance and having to go to my school’s medical area twice. The second time they kept me there. I was told I would need to go to the hospital and get an IV. That did not turn out to be the case as after tests they found out that the virus had gotten into my spine and also had eatten most of my heart valve. I was dying. So in three days I had to two major surgeries; spinal and open heart. I ended up with a mechanical heart valve. After that I had to take six months off work and drop my classes for semester to recouperate.
However, once I healed, or healed as much as possible, I had to return to normal life. My first focus was definately my health. Nearly dying does that to a person. But, it also motivated me to keep pushing towards my goals. I survived something really bad. I couldn’t just ignore that. I needed to keep going to see what was in store for me. And I still had my dream of being a filmmaker to fulfill.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bitemefilms
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanguseid/
- Twitter: @bitemefilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@guseid
- Other: tiktok: @bitemefilms
Image Credits
n/a