Meet Jerome Shuler Jr | Filmmaker & Musician

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

Hi Jerome, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by humanity. Not just the good and not just the bad, but humanity as a whole. Our relationship to one another and the planet on which we reside.. Art imitates life and something beautiful happens when you put a mirror up to society and asks do you recognize yourself in this film or in this song?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a jack of all trades, but at my core I’m a performer. I’m a singer songwriter and producer for my band Molly and The Pineapples. I’m also an actor, writer, and director and in 2020 my wife and I formed our production company Madeline Ave Productions.

Since then we’ve produced 2 albums and 2 short films. Our short film “Selfies” will have its premiere here in Atlanta at the Peach tree Village International Film Festival this month.

I have a ways to go when it comes to my ultimate goal, but It’s been quite the journey. You rack up a lot of L’s in this industry, but the W’s always make them worth it. I’ve learned to breathe and take a step back. That it’s okay to change directions if something isn’t working. I’ve learned to find my power in a situation.

I’m proud to have my film and its cast and crew be recognized by PVIFF. I’m extremely excited to go into production on my first feature as I get financial backing!

I’m excited to continue to create with like minded creatives who believe in the power of story telling. That’s what my brand is about. Telling stories that challenge the narrative and rejuvenates the old with something new. Creating art that’s meaningful, impactful, and everlasting. That’s the MAP way.

What I’d like the world to know about me is that I’m a man of the people. Art allows me to have conversations with people I would never be able to have. Art is my love language with the people of the world. As long as they continue to invite me to the cookout to have these conversations I hope the conversations continue and we’re able to challenge, elevate, and find commonality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a really low key kind of guy. I’d rather host people at my house than go out, but when I do I have my go to spots. I try to support local business owners when I can, especially black owned businesses. I love Jamaican food and Tastee Spoon in Dunwoody slaps.

I’m from Jersey City and I recently found the closest thing to Jersey pizza at Milano Pizza and Subs. I’m into dive bars and I really haven’t found one in Atlanta yet, but if we’re talking drinks, Secreto in Brookhaven not only has great drinks, but a great menu as well.

I love hiking up Stone Mountain. There’s a sense of clarity you get every time you reach the top. The botanical Garden always gives me inspiration and Little Five is a vibe that reminds me of the village in NewYork City.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to give a shout-out to the teachers I had in middle school at (Raphael Cordero Ps. 37) and my acting teachers in high school ( Jersey City Arts/ James J Ferris). I have a BFA, but in my experience I feel the professors I had in college were too busy managing their egos to have an impact on me. My elementary and high school teachers made me feel like I could do or be anything. Teachers are selfless. They spend more time with their students than their own children. Stay the extra hours before and after school and are the least respected and severely underpaid yet I’m nothing without the foundation they created for me while my parents were out putting food on the table.

Website: Mollyandpineapples.com

Instagram: Jeromeshulerjr

Twitter: Jeromeshuler

Facebook: Facebook.com/madelineaveproductions

Youtube: YouTube.com/jshulerofficial

Other: Madelineaveproductions.com