An interview with Justin Jones: Indie Filmmaker Aims to Raise Awareness through Upcoming Parkinson’s Documentary
Biography
With 13 years of finance experience in the entertainment industry, I have worked on projects for Netflix, HBO, Apple, Animal Planet, and more. I now focus on directing and producing my own projects and tell meaningful and impactful stories that might get overlooked by the entertainment industry at large, focusing primarily on advocacy projects.
Please tell me a little about your background.
Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker, using my parent’s camcorder to film videos with my friends. After college I moved to Los Angeles where I worked in the entertainment industry in a finance capacity, which gave me exposure to the industry and allowed me to work on many fantastic television shows and films. In 2020 I decided to start making my own films and in 2021 started working on a Parkinson’s Documentary, ‘On Firm Ground,’ releasing this year.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
As a medium for storytelling, film is the most captivating and immersive. It’s a powerful way to get a message for advocacy of any kind to a wide audience. With this film, I hope to share a message of hope to those with Parkinson’s Disease, while also spreading awareness for the disease to all audiences.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Filmmaking is 100% my passion. While living in Jacksonville, FL, I saw a news piece about RockSteady Boxing using boxing to combat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease for the local community. Inspired by the story, I reached out and got in contact with JAX Hope Inc., a local Parkinson’s organization in Jacksonville, and Jennifer Otero, who runs the First Coast Parkinson’s Run every year in Jacksonville. Through Jennifer, I met Greg and Sabrina who would both decide to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation in 2023, and also allow me to film their incredible journeys.
Film Logline: In a race against time, two people battling Parkinson’s Disease embark on a journey of hope as they undergo brain surgery to reclaim their lives. Meanwhile, fueled by personal loss, their devoted friend leads to a determined charge to raise awareness for the disease in an inspiring fight for a cure.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when seeing your Advocacy?
My hope for this film is to inspire and inform all viewers to become advocates for Parkinson’s Disease. This film has a powerful message of hope and perseverance.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Awareness is key. By raising awareness for Parkinson’s Disease, we can spur increased funding, activism, and research for a cure.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
Raising awareness through this film is my main goal. We are aiming to have this film start a film festival tour in April of this year for Parkinson’s awareness month. We also are planning small, localized screenings of the film for various organizations and support groups around the country.
What events do you participate in?
Since 2021, I’ve attended many Parkinson’s events in the North Florida area as part of this film. Now that filming is complete, I look forward to running in the First Coast Parkinson’s Run 5K in Jacksonville, FL later this year.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
We are currently raising funds through Seed&Spark to complete the film! Below is the film website as well as the crowdfunding site, stay tuned there for news about the films progress and future screenings!
website: https://www.onfirmgroundfilm.com/
crowdfunding campaign: https://seedandspark.com/fund/onfirmground
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Reach out! Find a local organization and see how you can help, it’s not all about donating money.
In your opinion, what is the key to effective advocacy?
Patience. Like filmmaking, advocacy is a long road, and you may not see the results you want right away. But by sticking with it and being patient, results will come!
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
You don’t have to be affected by Parkinson’s Disease to enjoy this film! The film has a universal message that will appeal to all audiences.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
While I don’t have a direct connection with Parkinson’s, through the making of this film I have become close with everyone involved; being there with Greg and Sabrina through their DBS journeys from operation through recovery during some of their most vulnerable and sensitive times. Seeing the journeys that they went through first hand has 100% affected and inspired me.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
Turn! Turn! Turn! By the Byrds
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
As Greg says in the film: “Finish Strong!”