Hey folks, Harry here... that lovely wondrous fashion eyed model of beauty and charm Saffron is here with a chance encounter with a filmmaker, that she decided to document for prosperit... I mean posterity, yeah, that's the word. Anyways, Here yous folks go...
Hello Harry.
As I drove through horror-movie fog this morning, I was compelled to procure some Round Rock Donuts... I stopped to share them, grooved to Schroedinger's Cat, and ran into a mysterious man who turned out to be Jonathan Joss, in town for the film festival with a sleeper from Sundance "Christmas in the Clouds" the directorial debut of Kate Montgomery showing TONIGHT at 7:15 at the Arbor (Q&A after the show)
After regaining my composure, I introduced myself and he graciously sat for an interview.
S:So you're from Texas originally?
J:Born and raised in San Antonio, and graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. I lived in Dallas for a few years...I live in LA now
S:Did you ever live here in Austin?
J:Oh yeah, in fact I was a guerrilla substitute for AISD. They would send me to the schools nobody wanted to go to.
S:You mean the other substitutes? So you were like the commando guy.
J:I was 'the Indian with the long hair'. The kids loved me...it was really a great experience.
S:And were you acting during all of this?
J:I was acting the whole time. I met Joe Sears of Greater Tuna ...although my film career actually started in Dallas...it's much easier to get a SAG card there than in LA.
S:So what was your first role?
J:8 Seconds, I was "EMT technician" I was picked out by the director, it wasn't a speaking role, but I think my hand is in the movie. (laughing)
S:Well, you have very fine hands. (he really does)
J:I've appeared in several episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger.
S:The role you're best known for is John Red Corn from King of the Hill.
J:John Red Corn, he's a healing kind of guy.
S:OK, let's talk a bit about Christmas in the Clouds. How did you come to be involved in this film?
J:I actually heard about it 3 years before the audition. I was coming from Tuba, a Hopi reservation and I was talking to Sheila Tousey, a Native actress who also produced the movie. She said "You are Phil"
S:So tell me, you might think this is odd, what did you wear to the audition?
J:(laughs)Not at all. I wore something that gave me a low center of gravity.
S:because...
J:The character is really grounded.
S:Ahh, you understand! How did you express this grounded-ness?
J:Heavy shoes, first of all. Loose jeans, something that would give weight and presence, and not be restrictive. Phil (his character) is a maintenance man, so cotton was a natural choice.
S:(some light banter about this...I didn't take notes. then John told me a story about something that happened that morning)
J:On the way to the audition, my car caught on fire.
S:(incredulous laughter) what? really? how?
J:My carbeurator backfired.
S:Were you already driving?
J:No, no. It started in the garage. (well, he could have been at a stoplight or something)
S:what did you do?
J:I took off my shirt and put it out.
S:So, did you put it back on?
J:Yeah, I just covered the flames, the shirt wasn't really damaged or anything. I was about five minutes late for the audition.
J:I walked in, and I see Sheila, and I say 'this is the movie?' and it was.
S:Cool.
J:I catch a car on fire in the movie. It's one of the funniest scenes.(laughs)
S:(laughs) It's a case of art imitating life, then.
J:More like Jonathan imitating life...
S:Did you have any idea this was part of the script?
J:None.
S:wow. (he's got other engagements, so my time is pretty much up...)
S:This film got a lot of attention at Sundance this year...
J:We weren't even scheduled in competition, and they scheduled two extra screenings, so it's really been well received.
S:Thank you so much for taking the time for this.
J:Sure. Anytime.
S:Any other projects in the works?
J:I'm very busy with my production company RezDawgz@earthlink.net (the web site is still in development)to increase awareness of youthful Native American talent.
S:not just film?
J:It's a mixed media production company, I want to bring experience to the reservation in all fields...to help make dreams come true.
J:I know these Native rappers...talking about 500 years ago... (more light banter...)this concluded our little chat. I haven't seen the film yet...the concept of a romantic comedy set in a ski resort operated by a Native American Nation sounds like a refreshing spin on a vintage device to me...
Saffron Miller.
"Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man" Fabulous Thunderbirds.
