Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Schroder.
Jonathan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I actually started interning at a production company when I was 19 years old in Cincinnati. Whether taking a course in college or working on set as an intern, I immediately fell in love with the process of filmmaking. After college, I moved to New York City and began working as a production assistant on all sorts of film and television projects. The ten years I was freelancing in New York City gave me an opportunity to work on independent films with micro-budgets to huge Hollywood features with mega-budgets.
In 2004 I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream to become a feature film director and screenwriter. With a little luck and a lot of hours spent behind the keyboard, I ended up co-writing and co-directing the feature film “Jimmy and Judy” starring Edward Furlong and Rachel Bella. The film won several awards and was released theatrically. This was a great experience as I was able to tap into my indie-film roots and utilize my friends and family in nearly every aspect of the production.
After Jimmy and Judy, I was able to enjoy a nice stretch of screenwriting work. It was overwhelming at first, but somehow I ended up writing everything from romantic comedies to horror films. The work began pouring in until the dreaded 2007-08 writer’s strike. All of my projects came to a complete halt, and most of my clients were forced to quit the business or restructure. Eventually, the screenwriting work completely dissipated forcing me to take a job as a furniture mover in Burbank.
The furniture moving job was humbling to say the least. While I was still actively writing, the opportunities continued to dwindle. Luckily, my friend and co-furniture mover, Charles Pol, would tell me these amazing about his father who was a large animal veterinarian in Central Michigan. I remember moving couches one day and Charles just kept on with these amazing stories. At first, his stories were a great way to pass the time and to escape the reality of my work situation. Finally it donned on me… “Why don’t we go to Michigan for a few days and film your dad for a television project?”
Long story short, we filmed a sizzle real and ended up selling the project to National Geographic Wild. “The Incredible Dr. Pol” has now been on the air for over 20 seasons and 200 episodes. It was a crazy streak of bad luck that put me in the warehouse but this experience lead to the biggest success of my career. I used to curse the days of the writer’s strike and working in a warehouse, but now I’m grateful and wouldn’t change a thing.
I’ve since moved on from Dr. Pol and started a production company – Shark Dog Films. Recently, I just directed and produced the feature-length documentary, “The Boys in Red Hats.” which will be available later summer or early fall.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. It’s been a rough, rocky road filled with a lot of stress, rejections, and disappointments. At the same time, I’ve been able to enjoy some great successes and work with some of the most talented people in the industry.
The biggest struggle for me is overcoming rejections. When you focus so hard and put so much time and energy into a project, only to have it go away is mind-boggling as it is frustrating. But, in order to stay in the industry, I had to focus on what’s next and try to stay positive.
One thing about the rejections… It sure made me appreciate my successes.
It also REALLY helps to have a spouse and/or significant other that believes in you and what you’re trying to accomplish. Without my wife, I’m not sure if I’d still be in the business at all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Whatever project I’m working on, I look at it from a writer’s perspective. I try to find out what the story is and the most interesting and compelling way to execute the material.
I’m a writer/director but definitely a writer first. People get so excited when it comes time for the lights and cameras to roll in. I get excited about a blank page that’s ready to be filled with ideas.
The proudest moment of my career is when an entire crew, from the PA’s to the Executive Producers, all buy-in on a project. When everyone is on the same page creatively and going the extra mile is true movie magic to me. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it feels like hitting a grand slam in the World Series.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I don’t have an accent, so people are surprised to learn that I’m from Boone County, Kentucky.
I am also very excited to have my documentary feature play at Laemmle theaters in early August. The film is extremely personal and has been my main focus over the past two years. The film is about “the smirk heard round the world”, which ignited a social and mainstream media frenzy when MAGA-hat-wearing school boys from Kentucky appeared to mock a Native American elder on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The film investigates how the now infamous confrontation became one of the most polarizing viral moments in history while chronicling my own journey at my former high school, Covington Catholic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://boysinredhats.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtschroder/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theboysinredhats
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtschroder
- Other: https://www.laemmle.com/film/boys-red-hats
