2017 Issue 2 Mar/Apr - Focus Mid-South Magazine

lgbt advocate
MEMPHIS’
MOST HUMBLE
IDEA MAN
Mark
JONES
by Joy Doss | photos courtesy of Mark Jones
I sat down with filmmaker
Mark Jones at Java
Cabana, our interview set
to a wonderfully expansive
soundtrack that zigged from
Amy Winehouse and Ray
Charles then zagged to classic
rock. It was quiet, save for
the amazing music, as we sat
nestled amongst all things
vintage (how did I not know
about the awesome vintage
selection?!!).
Mark will try to tell you
he’s a boring study, but don’t
pay him no nevermind. He is
anything but.
First of all, Mark, you were
a closeted gay man in the 80s
at a Presbyterian college as a
religion major who did a brief
work stint in rural Virginia. The
town was called Meadows of
Dan, which was near nothing.
All of that is a story in and of
itself.
As a filmmaker, Mark has
experienced some success.
Yet, he is also careful to remain
grounded, connected and
engaged with the community.
He is actually a well-adjusted
entertainment pro! That
deserves a mention for sure.
Rewinding a bit:
His fascination with film
was initiated when his family
bought a camcorder in 1980.
He and his brothers made
films but Mark maintained his
interest level, even making a
film about the book of Amos
in lieu of a paper in college.
(Yes, he got a good grade.)
With a little due diligence, I
uncovered the digital nugget
of fun that is The Edge of
Happiness, his online soap
opera. Clearly, it was a byproduct
of his love for daytime
soaps as a Days fan and now a
General Hospital fan. He says,
“It’s the only genre where you
might have romance, comedy,
drama and suspense in one
episode.” Truth! Though a
few years old now, it is still
available online. Perhaps one
of these digital platform gurus
can help monetize it! There
should be more episodes
of this! Do note that there
are some familiar faces that
float across the screen like
WREG’s Cori Ventura and
musician Billy Worley. In fact,
Mark is intentional about
using homegrown talent in his
projects both in front of and
behind the camera.
“We have an abundance of
local talent—incredible actors
and crew members. I thought
about bringing people in but
what we have here works!”
Having lived in New York
City for 3 years as well as
some other smaller towns,
Mark clearly has love for
Memphis, which is evidenced
by his involvement. He is
active at Idlewild Presbyterian
Church and served as a
deacon for three years.
He is involved in the
committee to save the
Coliseum; he’s on the board
of Indie Memphis and heavily
involved in Outflix. However,
Mark is also a very passionate
about the LGBT community.
He would love to see the
city be more progressive
and honor some of its LGBT
pioneers like Bill Kendall, who
ran the Gill Theatre. Even
Page 22 / focusmidsouth.com / MAR+APR 2017 / Homegrown