We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Boyce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best way to connect with others is through the universality of stories. As a filmmaker, I see myself as part of the business of selling a semblance of real empathy and raw emotion back to the public. It’s a promise I’ve made to the audience that I strive to fulfill with each new project. The decision-making process behind the stories I chose to tell and the collaborators I hand-picked are all informed by this one simple fact of life. In all truth, no matter our differences as far as race, political allegiances, social mobility, or class, we all share the same common goals and desires. Human beings are not so different from each other once you strip away the pretense that’s unfortunately embedded in modern life. Building a community with a diverse group of filmmakers opened my eyes to a wider, much richer experience of the world around me. The best lesson I’ve learned is to keep an open mind and an open heart, as the spark of inspiration can come from unexpected places and people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a writer and a producer, my career path was full of obstacles. Although some challenges were external and out of my grasp, others were internal in nature. In many ways, I believe the greatest hurdle to career satisfaction is one’s skewed definition of success. My previous projects, which I’ve either produced or co-written, were licensed by HBO and aired during primetime. Those were triumphant moments early in my career that I cherish to this day. But I prefer to think in terms of what I’ve learned in the past and how I can apply those skills to my next project. Resting on a fleeting moment of success doesn’t put bread on the table, so I forge ahead with all the lessons learned in my back pocket. I moved to Los Angeles from Atlanta to attend the American Film Institute’s producing program nearly twenty years ago. I’ve seen my peers get major Hollywood studios backing their work just as much as I’ve seen others head back home shortly after graduation. Many people I admired and respected quit the business and moved on with their lives in other directions. Although I respect their choices, I’m glad that my hardheaded nature wouldn’t allow me to step away from a business I love and cherish. A career in the creative arts is a long-haul effort, and it is not one for people with brittle composition. It takes persistence and a strong emotional foundation to weather the rough patches of rejection. Or even worse, when projects fall through due to no fault of your own.

I want to continue to tell well-crafted, well-acted stories that shine a light on marginalized people. The one lesson I’ve learned is to find collaborators who bring out the best in you while also reciprocating and earning your keep. I believe what sets me apart from others is my unwavering positive nature; admittedly, it’s also a defense mechanism. Positivity is my superpower. I walk onto set with a smile on my face and a firm belief that I’m in the right place at the right time. Solving logistical challenges as well as storytelling challenges keeps me coming back for more!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles offers a smorgasbord of dining and entertainment for visitors. My taste for spicy international flavors started in my early childhood. One of my earliest memories is climbing out of my high chair and onto the table to consume my father’s ultra-spicy Bajan goat curry. It feels like yesterday to me. The panting, the sweating, and the heartwarming yumminess. My father made the hottest curry on the block!

I would start a week-long trip to LA in East Hollywood’s Thai Town. I love how some restaurants have a note posted that says, “No refunds if too spicy.” A large bowl of Thai red curry with roasted duck can really open up the pores! I used to be able to handle epic doses of hot spices, but now I’m more comfortable with medium-hot levels. I definitely don’t ask for Thai heat levels anymore.

Food experiences are a great way to bond with friends. I would definitely visit Korea Town for an evening of Korean barbecue. It’s a dining adventure that mixes the sizzling sound of grilling your own food with the clang of large glasses of Hite pale lager for the eighth toast of the night. Banchan, the little side dishes, are almost a meal on their own. The variety of flavors you can enjoy in one sitting is mind boggling.

For drinks, there’s nothing better than The Standard in Downtown LA. It’s a great excuse to get dressed up, especially since LA is such a casual-wear kind of city. I’ve seen people wearing flip-flops and shorts in the most inappropriate places out here! I’d get a classic drink like a smoked old fashioned and chill on the rooftop, capturing the sights and sounds of the city in 360 degrees.

I can’t forget about visiting the beach. Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu is a must for any trip! It’s nice to end a day on the road with a platter of delicious seafood while listening to the beautiful sounds of waves crashing nearby.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My recent collaboration with writer/director/producer Kevin Coleman-Cohen was an invigorating experience on both a professional and personal level. Before joining the project Pretty Boy as a producer, I went through a period of inactivity due to the usual woes many independent filmmakers face. The rollercoaster ride of early career successes quickly led to a debilitating case of imposter syndrome as I saw my former collaborators reach new career heights as my fortunes seemed to plateau. I found myself trapped in an ever-persistent struggle to remain afloat financially as I attempted to advance my professional goals. Everyone faces a variety of challenges in their journey as a filmmaker, but many times we can be our own worst enemy. So I made a conscious effort to be open to saying yes more often. I didn’t want my inhibitions or past trauma to cloud my decision-making process. Instinct was my guide, and I’m truly thankful that my former American Film Institute classmate reached out for help to complete his movie. Without pausing, I wholeheartedly said, “Yes!”

Learning more about the St. Louis filmmaking community and assembling a crew of talented craftspeople to bring Kevin Coleman-Cohen’s vision to life was the creative jolt I needed. Being present on set to see his methodical style of directing actors to create raw, emotional performances was truly inspiring. I’m thankful that my reputation for professionalism and getting the job done was appreciated after so many years without a project to produce. Sometimes a little bit of recognition is all we need to push ourselves to the next level. I’m thankful to be a part of this journey to get PRETTY BOY on as many screens as possible.

Website: https://prettyboyfilm.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandboyce00

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathanboyce

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.