Meet Jerome R Shuler Jr | Actor & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerome R Shuler Jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerome R, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m originally from downtown Jersey City, New Jersey. Right on the Hudson River. My background and upbringing impacted who I am in many different ways. On a personal level growing up my family faced a lot of hardships, but because of where we lived I thought my parents were doing well. They were teenagers when they had their first child, my oldest sister. I’m their third.

My parents separated the summer before I started high school and were divorced by my sophomore year. It was very traumatic for me and resulted in my late grandmother taking custody of me. I lived with her in a studio apartment with two other adults until I graduated college.

I think the need for an escape from my own life at times is what attracted me to entertainment. I loved making people laugh and feel things. It made me happy that something I did made them happy. I remember wanting to be an entertainer since at least first grade when me and a friend would sing “Candy Rain” by Soul For Real to the class.

My teachers loved me. They would let me sing to the class all the time and I was always down to entertain. That’s why I will always support teachers getting fair wages. My teachers uplifted me and gave me confidence. They believed in me. All way through high school where I was able to attend acting classes at NJCU through the JC Arts program. My teachers stayed the extra hours, gave me that extra care, and they were there.

I loved going to school in Jersey City, but the city is the city. As a young black male there’s already this stigma that you won’t live pass 25. My first memory of death is a call coming to the house that a cousin was shot five times and died. I may have been five years old. My peers brothers were getting shot and killed. They weren’t even in their 20’s. A fellow classmate and her whole family were murdered my Junior year of high school. These are traumatic things happening and I’m a teen, practically on my own.

Having death be such a recurring theme in my life is the reason why I work like there is no tomorrow. I’m really just learning how to relax. I hate to admit it, but I also have a competitive nature. I always want to be a better version of myself. I owe it to all the talent I’ve seen snuffed out by society.

It’s not all gloom and doom though. Things get bad sometimes, but things are bad everywhere. One thing I loved about Jersey City..back then because it’s gentrified now, was the culture. Jersey city was truly a melting pot. So there was variety. A variety in food, music, and religion. I never took that for granted.

That’s why I can walk into any room and have a conversation with anybody. My background and upbringing. It’s where my ambition was born and my determination was nurtured. I believe I can do anything within reason because of my ambition, my determination, and my patience. I don’t mind how long it takes, as long as I get there.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is always evolving and bleeds into each other. My music helps me write screenplays and vice versa. Photography helps me stage my shots for film. I live to entertain so my art comes in words, music, photos. and, moving photos.

I think everyone is unique and art is unique. I believe art starts with the artist. As an artist I love people. I believe my art reflects that, I also believe the artist I collaborate with reflect that.

I’m most excited about directing and filming my first film. Im usually doing one or the other while acting in my projects. I’m excited to get behind the camera and stay there. It’s an opportunity to really pour into my actors and really focus in on my shots.

I’ve gotten to where I am today by sacrificing, taking risk, and planning, I plan a lot. I plan 4-7 years into the future. When you’re working towards a goal, especially when you’re working for yourself sacrifices are made. I definitely sacrifice my social life, which I’m starting to get back. Running your own business is hard. It’s long hours of working, failing, and learning. The rewards are not immediate. To overcome you have to be mentally strong and have an unflinching belief in yourself.

What I’d like the world to know about myself and my brand is that anything is possible. Never give up. You are capable of the impossible. You’re worthy so go out and get it. Every second counts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting and I wanted to show them the best time ever I would take them to a few of my favorite places.

We’d start the morning with a hike at Stone Mountain.

Then ruin that hike with Waffle House because you have to if you’re coming to Atlanta.

After that the we’d go to the Botanical Garden because why not?

After the price for those tickets we would hit Publix for one of those hoagies! You know what I’m talking about.

That evening , do a concert at the Alliance Theatre. I love their orchestra.

End the night at a comedy club or at dive bar like Maggies.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to think Mr. Paolucci my high school drama teacher. He always had patience with me. Without his guidance and belief in me during those years Im not sure I get to where I am today.

Website: www.madelineaveproductions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeromeshulerjr/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-r-shuler-jr-2280b549/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/madeline-ave-productions-atlanta

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@madelineaveproductions5729

Image Credits
Jerome R Shuler Domingo Photography