#InstagramChat Recap: Emmy-Nominated Producer/Director Jon Ross

Photo from www.instagram.com/jon_ross9914

by Cyrus Webb

The social media platform of choice for so many, Instagram's features like Instagram Stories and Instagram Live have become regular addition to how we keep up with some of our favorite stars and public figures. What we end of seeing ranges from behind-the-scenes on their new projects to allowing us to attend events with them or even just a Q&A session with their fans.

On Tuesday, December 20th Emmy-Nominated Producer/Director Jon Ross took to Instagram to answer questions about breaking into the industry and networking. I was able to hop on to the chat as Join not only shouted out the locations of his supporters that joined the conversation but answer some questions as well.

I was able to get two questions answered during the back and forth with Jon. The first I asked him was what has it been like for him to reflect on all that he has done this year? "It's been amazing to reflect on it," he replied. "You don't realize how much you have accomplished until you look back." He went on to talk about getting ready for shooting a movie in the Philippines among other projects for 2017. The second question I asked him was able who he would like to work with in the future. He said among others he wanted to work with Don Cheadle.

Below is a recap of other questions Jon Ross responded to during the online chat with fans: 

• When asked about breaking into the industry Jon responded by saying "The industry has changed a lot. A lot of what you have to do is be proactive. You don't have to wait on Hollywood. You can do it yourself. You got to be not just a consumer but a producer. A producer creates the opportunity.  You have to connect with people who have the same mindset as you have."
• 
  
• One individual in the chat asked what they should do if they were from a smaller city. Join replied that you have to "Make that travel to cities that are doing more than in your state. It's a risk," he added, "but you have to take a chance."
• 
  
• So many during the chat commented on how approachable and humble Jon was. He told the group that he "liked to connect with people". He went on to say he was a "by-product of people who inspired" him like Will Smith and Devon Franklin. "They took the time out to teach me," he said. "I give them all the thanks for that."
• 
  
• When asked about advice for those looking to break into acting, Jon encouraged them to find a one-act play or a story in a script that they love and begin there. finding a one-act play or a story in a script that you love.  "Stage and theatre help you get your feet wet," he said. He also encouraged us all to make sure that whatever we were doing that we love it first. "If you love it everthing else will come together." Jon also stressed the importance of staying "childlike", saying that "the ore fun you try to have the better it is for you."

Jon shared an acronym that he uses when it comes to networking: B.L.E.S.S. which stands for Be prepared, Listen, Eat, Serve & Share. He went into how each letter can help you  in not just showing how you can meet the needs of those you want to work for but how you can serve them, making it more than just about what you can get from it.

Towards the end of the chat that lasted about 30 minutes Join shared part of his own story of how he got to where he his today. He shared that he started off when he was 16 years old with his own stage plays. "Everything hasn't gone great in my career," he said, "but I haven't stopped. When you are a dream like I am and go for your dreams like I do, it's not a matter of if it's going to happen. It's a matter of when."

Stay connected with Jon Ross on Instagram and through his website www.jr2films.com.