Rising Stars: Meet Marcellus Cox

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcellus Cox.

Marcellus, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Man!!!!!!!! These kinda things are never easy to answer I swear lol but I’ll give it a shot. My story began on December 14th, 1987 in South Central Los Angeles. Since the day I can personally remember right around 9-10 Years Old, I’ve always wanted to make Movies. The movie that influences me the most to become a Filmmaker was Who Frame Roger Rabbit, watching that at nine years old was enough to light the fire that still burns till this very day. I’ve spent my time from there on developing my craft going to Film School at El Camino College, working on sets as a PA and ask more experienced Film Director’s along the way about their approach to storytelling and just watching my favorite movies, studying from other great Filmmakers and the movies that excited them about our profession. Since 2014 I’ve been making my own work independently with my own money, just getting better at finding my voice and topics I feel will help make a difference in people’s lives. My work has screened in over 200 International Film Festivals, Won over 150 International Awards and have screened on television across the globe on Revolt TV, ShortsTV, PBS, Crime/Investigation, Prime Video and many more.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh Hell no, it hasn’t been smooth, easy or any other word you can come up with that’s acceptable lol not even close to it. I personally believe that anything you want outta this life is gonna come with some heartache and sorrow. Especially In the Film Industry, Art is suffering… it’s beyond painful at times especially when you’re on the come-up. From festival rejections, investors passing on your work for potential funding, not being able to find work and get an talent agent/manager. The struggle is real, lol but it does serve the ultimate purpose, to see who’s willing to keep fighting towards their dreams, working on new stories and get better at their craft. Who’s really in this for the love of Cinema and not caught up in gaining fame. So a struggle is much needed and in many ways appreciated so you know who’s gonna be there as the next generation when it’s said and done.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Putting me on the spot, lol I Love it. As a Writer/Director and as a True Auteur, my style of cinematic storytelling embossed with dark and edgy themes that is engaging and enlightening, delivering my audience to a place of understanding and compassion for social issues and objectivity as I pushes the boundaries of controversial storytelling, touching on subjects such as race, religion, social & political issues.

I’m most proud of the fact that I have the platform to visually showcase what’s on my mind and how I see the world and even more proud of the fact that there are so many people that respect it.

I feel what sets me apart sort of speak is I’m not afraid to tell you the truth, no matter how much it may hurt and upset you. I refuse to live a lie and in a world where so many things are swept under the rug. So I want my work to be a pure and truthful reflection of who I am at all times no matter what.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
That’s such a loaded question especially being from here lol. Outside the weather lol I Love that fact that in a city like LA the possibilities of becoming anything you want our endless. It may not seem like it but it gives you every opportunity to carve out your own destiny and make the impossible/possible… If your willing to put the work in.

Thing I hate the most is the fact that so many people come here to further their dreams and for whatever reason, hate on Los Angeles and say it’s so phony. It’s really easy to say that when you land in the valley or downtown or Hollywood and you’re dealing with folks that’s from different places that aren’t from the city as well. So everyone from all over are phony then I guess. I just wish more folks who move here would just get out of those specific sections and visit real people and places from the city and realize LA isn’t that bad after all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Cellusworld24
• Facebook: Facebook.com/marcelluscox24
• Other: https://vimeo.com/cellus24