Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jordan Rockwell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jordan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
February, 1989. I’m 11 years old. It was a few months after my parents split up.
My father took me to see the glorious restoration of, “Lawrence of Arabia,” in 70mm at the Senator Theater in Baltimore, Md. When Sir Lawrence blew out the match with one of the most famous jump cuts to the sunrise, Maurice Jarre’s score kicking in, I was hooked then, I’m hooked now, and always will be. Cinema has always given me a hand out of the pain pool of life. I find its lessons wonderful, the art form, sublime.
Hence, the term, “Cinema Unites the World,” ™ for it truly does. We have more in common with each other than we don’t.
In spite of the state of theater-going these days, thanks to filmmakers like Christopher Nolan & Greta Gerwig last summer, (Barbieheimer, thank you!) the wonderful theatrical experience just might survive.
I appreciate the technology of streaming, how it has allowed me to see so many great classic films at the press of a button. Despite that, nothing will ever touch the communal theatrical experience with a polite film-loving audience surrounding you. I love going to Alamo Drafthouse where they ban texting during movies, experiencing cinema as it’s intended to be. May we continue to do so, keeping the flame of cinema alive.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I attended the American Film Institute as a Screenwriting Fellow, where not only did I get to have the late great Del Reisman as my writing mentor, I met Christopher Lockett, a wonderful human being as well as a great cinematographer who will be working as my DP on, “Traitor.”
That was 24 years ago. Since then, a roller coaster I’ll go into with an autobiography some day…or not. March 2020 was my wake up call like it was for so many others. I had a short film, “Put Your F—king Phone Down,” that I had shot in October 2019, but that damn procrastination demon (I call mine, “The Joker,” we all have ‘em) finally got kicked in the nuts when I decided, “In one month, you WILL be releasing this picture to the world, no excuses, no matter what.”
Next thing I know, my picture was shown on a big screen at the TCL Chinese Theater at a film festival. That evening, as my wife and I pulled around the curb to Hollywood Blvd and saw that famous cinematic landmark, I burst into tears.
God almighty, I love cinema so much, don’t you?
Since that day, I’ve been getting work as an actor, in features, short films, and even the lead in an award-winning tv pilot called, “Journalism 101.” The Meisner technique, given to me by the wonderful, “Houde School of Acting,” has finally demystified the acting process, and has made me a better director every day. I love the process of acting. I love memorizing my lines, working on the character, collaborating with the director and my fellow actors, I’m always asking for more takes. I can’t wait to get back into it, once…well…
I plan to use my career behind the camera to make two kinds of pictures:
1) Fun popcorn pictures that will not only have a “niche” marketing plan, but in spite of that niche, ALL are welcome to enjoy, and:
2) Politically minded pictures that do not divide, but unite and bring peace to all, such as, “Traitor,” the main reason for this interview.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I miss acting in front of the camera, but I would turn down any acting job for what I’m working on now.
To answer your question, YES, for my goal with my upcoming film, “Traitor,” let me say this first.
I am a fan of VR, and about a year or 2 ago, I found myself hanging out in the shuttle (aka load screen) of, “Star Trek: Bridge Crew.”
It’s so peaceful there, flying past the beautiful Enterprise-D at spacedock, and then looking down at our Mother Earth, finally at peace with herself, united in exploring the galaxy and beyond.
Yet, these days, thanks in no small part to social media division (thanks, algorithm and greedy crony-capitalists!) it seems like we’re not heading in that direction. People with only a cursory knowledge of Trek are not aware that before we got to the 24th century in peace, we had WW3 on Earth in the 21st.
Hence, the storyline, “Traitor.”:
During the future and 2nd American Civil War, a captain in charge of a bunker, where his psychopathic doctor tortures prisoners, discovers his humanity through a connection with one of the captive soldiers.
I also got inspiration from thinking about my best friend from high school, who I disagree with on a lot of things, but let me tell you; he has been there for me like no other friend has. I imagined us in a future American Civil War (something we’re all terrified of, but lemme help you, stay off social media!), and I asked myself, what if my side captured him? If you want to know what I would do, or at least, what I hope I would have the courage to do, watch the film when it’s finished.
Thank you, buddy.
My mission, as a, “classical liberal,” with this picture, is to bring us back from the brink. To learn to, as President Lincoln did, to, “seek to understand, not judge.” We are being divided and conquered at the moment. It seems that so many of us want revenge, ignoring Confucius’s advice, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
I have no illusions that a short film will make any difference, but that’s not why you fight the good fight. I will always, “chase windmills,” because it’s the right thing to do.
I’ve had it with narcissistic sociopaths being in charge of the world, haven’t you?
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
To stop listening to people who don’t have your best interests in mind. Parasites who feed off of you to stop you from realizing your dreams.
Oh wait, those emotional vampires aren’t the true villain in your life…the true villain is YOU, well, not you, but your inner, “Joker,” making you procrastinate, take the easy path to mediocrity instead of the hard path past that dragon to your dreams. My worst enemy is within me, end of story.
So, let’s do this. When the muse gave me, “Cinema Unites the World,” I gave thanks to her. Yes indeed. Cinema Unites the World!
We have one planet to clean up, and a universe to explore. There is ice on Europa, there might be an ocean underneath, and we’re arguing with each other over that pond of water from, “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Watch that opening sequence from that cinematic masterpiece. Nothing has changed, really.
But it can. And it will, as long as more of us follow President Lincoln’s advice.
Much love, everyone, Thank you for reading.
Jordan
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jordanrockwell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemaunitestheworld/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemaunitestheworld
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-rockwell-9a62952a9/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jercinema
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChR6-Y8cdYr9tx9mhc0oBHQ
Image Credits
I have all the rights to the photos