#savemeseries

[issaccurry-blog]

He just doesn’t. • #savemeseries #grace https://www.instagram.com/p/B29EZexlxTs/?igshid=18ccz434xqbbm

[issaccurry-blog]

He just doesn’t. • #savemeseries #grace https://www.instagram.com/p/B29EZexlxTs/?igshid=ynnu2dozijmd

[nothingtodoinelpaso]

The Hero our City Deserves: An interview with Chris Jones

By Christopher Michael Gonzalez

When it comes to Chris Jones, local writer, director and actor of the gilded web series “Save Me”, the term “dedicated”  doesn’t quite do him justice. When fans watch the show, they are witnessing the product of over a decade of work from a man with deep convictions in pursuit of a dream. Under the moniker of “New Hero” Chris has gathered a talented group of actors, film enthusiasts, writers, and those in pursuit of similar aspirations to see this project through. The first season marks a triumph for all those involved, a rallying call for his crew and others in El Paso to show that with the right amount of vision and devotion anything is possible.  This is not to say that the production of the first season did not come with a few hurdles along the way, or that there isn't room to provide a more refined product for fans. Chris Jones is ready to tackle these issues head on. In the interview that follows Chris touches on his past, the series future, and hints towards what fans can expect in the season to come.

Nothingtodoinep: “Give me a little background on yourself, were you born and raised here in El Paso?”

Chris Jones: “I was born and raised here in El Paso. I went to High School in Van Horn, Texas.  My parents, my mom and my step-dad, opened a restaurant over there so we moved. As soon as I graduated I came right back. I love El Paso, its the perfect place for me. Not too big, not too small, it's got everything I need. Anywhere else is a vacation for me if I get to go, but I always like to come home.”

“I'm usually pretty quiet. In the production world, you have to get used to being around a lot of people but your also very secluded because your writing or editing. Sometimes you just have to be by yourself.”

Nothingtodoinep: “So while we are on the subject, what were your major motivations in deciding that you wanted to pursue film? When was the pivotal moment when you realized this is something you wanted to do professionally?”

Chris Jones: “Well, since I was young I've always been into movies and television. When I was young, back in the 80s, it started with the old He-Man cartoon. He was always saving people. All of the movies my dad used to show me, everything had a larger than life hero. Back then Stallone, Schwarzenegger, even Eddie Murphy were all a big deal.  For example, take 'Die Hard', it was all about the right guy in the right place getting stuck in a crazy situation and trying to find a way out.”

“I always loved karate, and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a huge thing back then too. I always wanted to take karate but we could never afford it. I think where it all really started was after I saw 'Bloodsport' with Van Damme. I saw the last fight scene where he was doing helicopter kicks, and I had never seen that before. From that point on I was always at the video store, rentals were 50 cents back then, and I was always taking his movies home. I had all of them memorized, and I found myself emulating him. I wanted to be that guy. I didn’t tell people, and I kept it a secret because I thought people would make fun of me. Back then my goal was to graduate, buy my own camera, and start making my own stuff.”

“So by the time this became a possibility I already had my daughter, which was even more motivation to make this all happen. One day I walked into Best Buy and saw a copy of Adobe Premier, the tag line on the box said 'make your own movies' or something like that. I didn’t even have a computer at the time, and to think that something like that was possible for the average consumer was mind boggling. So I convinced my Dad to help me out and I got a small loan to by a computer, a decent camera, and that software. I figured I wasn’t going to have anyone to teach me, So I started filming weddings and quinceaneras and stuff to learn different techniques.”

“Now around this time 'Mission Impossible 2' came out, and it was handled by John Woo, one of my favorite directors...Well, I have two favorite directors. As ridiculous as it may sound the second one is Michael Bay. His movies are kind of hokey, but his use of lighting, scenery, and his ability to frame a scene is amazing. Back to John Woo though, when you watch one of his movies 75% of it is in slow motion, and hes equally gifted in capturing to scope of a scene. What blew me away about M.I.2 was the fact that it featured Tom Cruise, who is by no means a martial artists, doing all of this crazy John Woo inspired stuff. That’s when I realized that if a director sees something in an actor and can get that actor, who is not necessarily fit for the role to move a certain way, they could edit it into being whatever they want. So I began to broaden my horizons. I figured if Tom Cruise, who is obviously very talented, could be made into a martial arts expert on film anyone could be. I thought 'Forget the quinces, forget the weddings, I need to start now.' ”

“This must have been around, like, 2000 or something. In the process of shooting my first short I sprained my ankle. I didn’t want to stop filming so I ignored it for a couple of months, which only made the situation worse. Eventually I went to the doctor, and they gave me one of those ridiculous Robocop boots, so I was kind of restricted in what I could do. During that time I saw that a director here was filming something called “Lagrimas”, it was a little novela. They were casting for a cholo looking kid to sit in a scene and eat beans.”

“So I called the guy and told him I was interested. I told him I had the boot but I could definitely sit there and eat. They cast me, and we shot the thing one day after midnight. In my eyes, the director was the real deal. Through the use of lighting and the angles he made a room in the middle of the night look like it was shot in the afternoon. This guy became my mentor, and he got me a job as an editor. That's where the road to what would become Save Me really got started.”

Nothingtodoinep: You have been able to collect a group of dedicated actors to star in your show. What is your perspective on the local acting scene, and what type of qualities do you tend to look for when recruiting new talent?

Chris Jones: “Well, the nice incentive aspiring actors have here in El Paso is the fact that its still a growing scene. If you were to attend a casting call here, turnout would be around 20 to maybe 100 people max. In Los Angeles that number skyrockets to the thousands. Basically, the dream isn’t as common,  and someone who decides they are going to start here tends to be hungrier for the opportunity to make something for themselves. They are probably always thinking about it, and if they are given the chance to do this, they are going to take it and run. If you can get people to believe in you and vice versa I don’t think there is anything you can't accomplish together. Talent is everywhere, you just have to be willing to look for it. We are all actors at some point in our lives, we all have to tell a story, and we all have to be someone who we aren’t necessarily from time to time. Everyone is an actor, you just have to find a way to pull it out.”

Nothingtodoinep: El Paso is rife with potential material to center a fictional story around. What made you decide to center Save Me around the issue of domestic abuse?

Chris Jones: I felt that other issues would generalize El Paso. I wanted people to watch something where they felt like they could be looking at any other city. The drug war was, and still is, a big problem. And at the time anyone trying to do anything involving film out here was focusing on it.  I wanted a broader audience to look at the city and believe that it was a place where anyone could live. I just didn’t want to portray something that was isolated to our region and extremely heartbreaking.

Nothingtodoinep: I see that you have brought in more talent in a couple different areas, your Facebook page welcomed a new cast member, can you give your audience a slight hint as to her new role?

Chris Jones: Of course, I had the chance to work with Anna Ranoso on another project about 5 years ago that never got completed. Shes an amazing martial artist, and I wanted the chance to bring that to the show. Shes also a very talented actress and her character is going to have a deep impact on one of the main characters this season. She's going to act like an anchor of sorts, and I want to use her character to illustrate the depth in which the other ones are connected to one another.

Nothingtodoinep: In addition to new actors, your page states that a new composer has stepped on board to help with the soundtrack for the second season. What kind of dynamic do you think this will provide?

Chris Jones: Music is 90% of my creative process. I like to gather a soundtrack for whatever idea I have in my head before I put it on paper. It helps me organize my thoughts and set the mood for the product I want to present to my audience. A good soundtrack also brings with it a higher level of legitimacy in the eyes of the consumer. So much emotion can be conveyed through music, and I want to make sure this coincides with the depth of the material I am focusing on for this season. I've never met Ulrich Hilbel  face to face, all of our correspondence has been through email. We've collaborated a few times before and have both had the chance to kind of grow artistically over the years. I think he has a great idea of what I am trying to accomplish. I would also like to incorporate a wealth of local bands and artists, along with music from anyone that I feel matches the overall vibe of what I would like to convey.”

Nothingtodoinep: “Alright, last question. You said that the new season will be bigger and darker. Given the mood and the scope of the previous season this is a bold statement. What direction do you plan on taking the series this second season to deliver on that promise?”

Chris Jones: “Basically,  I wanted to establish a fictional unit operating within the El Paso Police department that was created strictly to handle cases of domestic violence, let's call it the DVU. If we had a unit that was made strictly for that purpose, I think it would help a lot of people, but obviously it would have to be run right. In the second season we will have a few characters returning, and I want to focus on the ripple effect of the event that ended the first season on the lives of these characters a year later. The main thing I want to emphasize is the concept of accountability, and the consequences of thus. I want to show the lives of those involved in these situations after they are able to escape them, or the repercussions suffered as a result of their actions. There are going to be a lot of new faces and situations, but what I've described is going to be the heart of this season.”

“Also, I think the social media renaissance puts our lives out in the open, its hard to hide anything anymore. Everything that occurred in the first season was to some degree based on the real world. On that note, given the fact that we are so constantly connected to one another no one is ever really alone. As dark as everything sounds, I want to give the audience and those who may actually be in these situations a sense of hope.”

Hope seems to be the true theme behind everything Chris and his production team have leaned on so far. The hope that they can accomplish something greater for themselves, their city, and those they love. So long as they maintain momentum, it will only be a matter of time before they are able to reach their goals.

For more news on save me be sure to check out their Facebook page. The team posts updates daily, and  Chris strives to offer deeper insight to his cast and crew, all of which can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveMeSeries?fref=ts

Also, domestic abuse comes in many forms, If you or someone you know has become a victim of domestic abuse you are not alone. Reach out to others for help, below are various resources for those in need, and as always never hesitate to call the police.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

[nothingtodoinelpaso]

Official Announcement for Save Me Season 2

Critically acclaimed El Paso web series “Save Me” is about to begin production on it’s highly anticipated second season. Director Christopher Jones aka “New Hero” promises that the sophomore season will be bigger, better and darker.  This man is extremely dedicated, talented, and details obtained so far all indicate that the direction in which the show will be taken will push his limits as a director, writer, and actor.

“This season, we really wanna take things to a whole new level. El Paso is ready and so are the people involved. Season 2, episode one, "You are not alone” will resume with our returning characters and where they are now. It’s been a year, and a lot has changed. As their stories progress, each episode after will introduce a new domestic situation/character. Our focus for the season is “accountability”. What happens behind closed doors is no secret anymore. It’s all over the web, in our cell phones, our jobs, family…victim or abuser, we are all responsible. Things will be bigger, they will be darker. We’re ready…I’m ready.“ - New Hero

The series is currently in consideration for Best Drama at the Miami Web Fest, and can also be chosen as part of the festivals Peoples Choice Award, fans can vote for it here:

http://miamiwebfest.com/vote/

For the unindoctrinated, here is a link to the entire series as well as various promotional material. The series is poignant and deals with an epidemic here in the Southwest that for some is all too real:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0IxbUx8WtshIuhJ728WPQ

On the subject of domestic abuse, silence breeds apathy. Abuse comes in many forms, If you or someone you know has become a victim of domestic abuse you are not alone. Reach out to others for help, below are various resources for those in need, and as always never hesitate to call the police.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

Thanks for reading, these are some very exciting times for our city and for this blossoming local drama.

Stay tuned.

[nothingtodoinelpaso]

Official Announcement for Save Me Season 2

Critically acclaimed El Paso web series “Save Me” is about to begin production on it's highly anticipated second season. Director Christopher Jones aka “New Hero” promises that the sophomore season will be bigger, better and darker.  This man is extremely dedicated, talented, and details obtained so far all indicate that the direction in which the show will be taken will push his limits as a director, writer, and actor.

"This season, we really wanna take things to a whole new level. El Paso is ready and so are the people involved. Season 2, episode one, "You are not alone" will resume with our returning characters and where they are now. It's been a year, and a lot has changed. As their stories progress, each episode after will introduce a new domestic situation/character. Our focus for the season is "accountability". What happens behind closed doors is no secret anymore. It's all over the web, in our cell phones, our jobs, family...victim or abuser, we are all responsible. Things will be bigger, they will be darker. We're ready...I'm ready." - New Hero

The series is currently in consideration for Best Drama at the Miami Web Fest, and can also be chosen as part of the festivals Peoples Choice Award, fans can vote for it here:

http://miamiwebfest.com/vote/

For the unindoctrinated, here is a link to the entire series as well as various promotional material. The series is poignant and deals with an epidemic here in the Southwest that for some is all too real:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0IxbUx8WtshIuhJ728WPQ

On the subject of domestic abuse, silence breeds apathy. Abuse comes in many forms, If you or someone you know has become a victim of domestic abuse you are not alone. Reach out to others for help, below are various resources for those in need, and as always never hesitate to call the police.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

Thanks for reading, these are some very exciting times for our city and for this blossoming local drama.

Stay tuned.