Jonas Kord is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, turning personal hardships into a celebrated cinematic career that both inspires and entertains. His relentless pursuit of creative excellence and his impactful contributions to film make him a standout figure in the industry.
This is Jonas Kord...
Mini-Bio:
I spent most of my youth being displaced. Never really having sure footing, movies were my only safe place/escape. After parting ways with a rock band in Burbank, where my experiences ranged from thrilling underage club adventures to pivotal self-discovery, I immersed myself in the film industry at the Chateau Marmont. Here, I truly began to focus on my career, gaining expertise across various roles including cinematography, directing, and screenwriting. My journey through the industry has been marked by significant projects such as the Emmy-nominated documentary "Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood," directed by Matt Tyrnauer and my ongoing collaboration with Academy Award-winner Nick Vallelonga on "Under the Milky Way." Alongside these narrative and documentary endeavors, I’m also engaged in creating commercial content for brands like Yves Saint Laurent and currently directing a children’s pilot as well as producing and directing a ballet documentary, which showcases my passion for storytelling across different media.
Q: How did you stumble upon screenwriting?
A: Not sure that it was a stumble. I think I needed to get a lay of the land
first. See how all the different departments worked together before I
decided to focus on this specific path.
Q: Who/what inspired you into taking this path?
A: Movies, books, and good story telling/tellers in general
Q: Who was the first person who believed in you?
A: My cousin Christian. He’s one of the greatest story tellers I’ve ever had
the pleasure of knowing. He’s more like my brother and the closest thing
to a guardian angel I’ve ever had. He’s a great mentor and has always
believed in me. “Stay the course, eventually life will give way”
Enter the Script Summit
Q: When was the moment you knew you wanted to be a screenwriter?
A: I think it was gradual. You have to get good/comfortable with telling
stories verbally to get an idea of rhythm/pacing before you sit down in
front of the page. It’s kind of like music. Got to learn how read it before
you write it. Even if it’s playing by ear.
Q: How do you define success for yourself?
A: Being completely immersed in the medium and in the process of
keeping people’s attention, properly and thoroughly entertaining them
and getting paid consistently wouldn’t be too bad either lol.
Q: Give us a typical day in your life.
A: Depends on the day, usually my schedule is all over the place. In
between whatever gig is holding my attention. Fitting in reading, writing,
listening to movie scores, and watching good movies/tv. Old me would
start my day with a good breakfast, coffee, cigarettes, and the occasional
whiskey desert… at the end of the day of course, with whatever crafty or
nearby In N Out I could get my hands on in between, depending on work
load. Now a days I try to eat healthier, but old me comes to visit every
once and awhile. After all I’m only human. Always striving for balance in
imbalance. Going for walks are great for swishing things around in my
head.
Q: How do you define a successful day?
A: Filming a project. Movies, music, reading, writing, and laughing with
someone/anyone. Depends on the day.
Q: What’s been the most important skill you've developed on your path
to screenwriting?
A: Patience.
Q: What’s been the greatest challenge in your writing so far?
A: getting it in front of the right people and knowing who those people
are.
Q: What’s been the greatest reward in the choices you've made?
A: Getting to see something I’ve worked on, in the theater on the big
screen.
Q: What do you want to learn from a community of your peers?
A: Wisdom, knowledge, and foresight.
Q: What is your Instagram and Social Handles so that people can find
you?
A: Insta: @Jonas.kord
