I wanted to take a moment to share an opportunity I received today. I set on a panel of entertainment industry professionals as one of their peers at Howard University today. I was the professional actress/filmmaker on the panel. I shared advice, wisdom, and tips with aspiring artists from young adults to adults. It was quite amazing because I am so use to being on the other side of the table listening, and grabbing up as much advice I can from industry professionals, but today I had an opportunity to be that elite professional others look up to. You maybe saying, What have you done to deserve that opportunity? Honestly, I asked myself the same thing as I set there being admired by people my age, and older. Finally the answer came to me, ALOT!
| Kym Whitley / Salone |
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| Twinkie Byrd (Casting Director) |
"Salone Jones's powerful on camera presence as an actress is unarguable; her dancing inspires you to move; and her story telling ability as a filmmaker is captivating. Undoubtedly, Ms. Jones is a rising star that is taking the world by storm."
A music video I produced while in film school made it into the "Hollywood Black Film Festival" in 2005, which I was so honored, and shocked my work made it into a Hollywood festival. We received best independent music video that year. I moved to California in 2006. In 2008, I was producing the Hollywood Black Film Festival as Twinkie Byrd's producer for her elite industry panelist. This is what Twickie Byrd said about me,
"Salone Jones makes it happen."
While in California I was an actress for Television shows such as Private Practice, Greys Anatomy, CSI, General Hospital, and more. In March of this year, I acted in a feature film that is scheduled to be released in 2012 called "Savannah", in which I played Chiwetel Ejiofor's mother who was killed trying to save him.
I wrote a bio for myself while in California about 2-years ago, and at the bottom is a quote I had
forgotten I wrote, and it goes, "I believe it is our duty as human beings to be of service to others.
I see it as an honor and a duty to share my talent with others." At this point in my life I would like
to add that I see it as an honor, and duty to share my talent and experience with others. I was
overwhelmed first by how hungry people were to know what I know, secondly I was overwhelmed
that I had sound advice to give them through my experiences.
This experience has taught me that you shouldn't under mind any experience. Everything counts
in life, and I am a successful actress/filmmaker not because of the amount of zeros in my bank
account, because God knows I am still waiting for those to increase, or because of the role I am
famous for, but I am a successful artist because of my work ethic, which speaks for itself. If I
wasn't a successful actress based on my acting ability I would not have landed the role of
Chiwetel Ejiofor's mother in the movie "Savannah." I never had to audition for that role. A
cinematographer remembered me from a 2002 film I did, and told the casting director of
"Savannah" that she had to find me to play the role of the mother, and this was in 2010, that means
the cinematographer remembered my work from 8 years ago. It's opportunities like that, and the
one I received today that makes me first thankful, and secondly determined to always put my best
foot forward because you never know who is watching you, and what opportunity can come from it.
By the way the actress Kimberly Brooks from California is the individual that recommended me as
one of the panelist. It's just amazing to me that I am in DC, and still getting opportunities from
California, but I am open. I have already been asked by Kemet Productions Int'l, INC. to speak at
their next event in New York City. Only thing I can say is God's amazing, and I refuse to believe
other wise.
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Alexia Robinson (Acting Coach/Mentor) |
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| Laurence Fishburne |
| Kimberly Brooks / Salone |
