Marcellus Cox is an Award Winning Writer/Director hailing from Los Angeles, California. Marcellus Cox has always had a passion for movies and filmmaking. As a True Auteur, his style of cinematic storytelling is embossed with dark and edgy themes that is engaging and enlightening, delivering his audience to a place of understanding and compassion for social issues and objectivity, as he pushes the boundaries of controversial storytelling, touching on subjects such as Race, Religion, Social & Political issues. Marcellus Cox work has screened in over 100 International Film Festivals, Won over 100 International Film Awards and has screened Nationwide on ShortsTV, Aspire’s Urban Indie Film Block, Revolt TV’s Short & Fresh and PBS.
We’re excited to have Marcellus here with us today to speak about this wonderful gem. “Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes” is a short film directed by Marcellus Cox. Jamarcus Rose, a young teen and talented high school MLB prospect, spends the day with his new mentor, Jasper, from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America Program.
“Jamarcus Rose” is a compelling short film about how mentorships help the world’s youth. The film has a sincere message and an unexpected ending that made my heart throb. It demonstrates that it’s important to have tough conversations and to be open about your feelings.
The 2019 story of the death of Fremont High School baseball player, Lamont Taylor, broke Cox’s heart. Inspiration struck, and he reached out to Taylor’s grandmother to ask if he could tell his story. With some hiccups in the project’s funding and the passing of Taylor’s grandmother, Cox decided to go ahead and bring peace to Lamont’s memory.
Q: What made you want to bring this story to life.
A: The love of Cinema for sure haha. Can’t do anything in terms of storytelling without that apart of your heart and soul as an Artist. But honestly the story of Lamont Taylor hit home with me in such a powerful manner. I saw his story on Television on Kcal 9 and KTLA 5 here in LA in 2019 and I was so heartbroken by it that it literally became a massive importance for me to make this. His story could’ve been any of are stories especially coming from where we came from in South Central LA and I couldn’t forgive myself and I didn’t have something to say to help keep his memory alive in any manner that I possibly could.
I went and made another short during covid called Mickey Hardaway because the funding was given to me and it was great for furthering the feature version but there was no way I could get Lamont’s story off my brain. So, in 2021 I reached out to his grandmother and told her my vision and what I wanted to do and she loved the idea. But I couldn’t find the funding to make it so I had to put it on the back burner. So, around 2023 I found it but by then his grandmother had passed and I almost gave up on it. But I came to far not to see it through so I went ahead to make it. I just hope that I was able to make Lamont proud and be able to show he was more then the world thought of him.
Q: The casting in this short film is wonderful. I especially love the performances of Duane Ervin and Stephen Cofield Jr. Can you discuss the casting process.
A: Casting I knew from the moment I finished my final script I wanted Stephen Cofield Jr. He’s a brilliant actor and someone I want to work with more in the future. When you talk about someone being a generational talent, he’s that type and I have no thought he’ll continue to showcase that.
Casting for Jamarcus and Esther was a challenge, going through so many different actors and actresses and wondering if you’ll ever find the right ones to bring the vision to life. And I almost didn’t but the Film Gods bless me with Ruthie Austin who embodied Esther and her spirit. And Duane as Jamarcus is the reason why were here haha. And he proves that every single time he appears on the screen with his amazing charm and personality. This cast I can never thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me and helping to make my vision a reality.
Q: Can you discuss the difficulties you may have faced while in production making Jamarcus Rose.
A: There were some, I wouldn’t be a honest man if I set here and said it was perfect. The 2nd night of shooting was a pain in the ass I can’t lie. Shooting during daylight savings time is not for the weak haha. I had to adjust some moments in the script to make it work in terms of shooting and completing the scenes but it got done and the film works just as fine as if it never happen at all. That’s a blessing from the heavens above for sure because it could have derailed the entire film. That and we had the hardest time finding a Baseball field in LA which I didn’t think was going to be so hard to do. But we Thank Chatsworth Little League Baseball for saving our lives with there beautiful field.
Q: Can you talk about working with Black Hollywood Education & Resources Center and Films Without A Purpose.
A: It’s been amazing working with such a amazing group of people on cinema and bringing real true powerful stories to life. I’m beyond honored and grateful to Sandra Evers-Mainly for taking a chance on me and my work, allowing me to visually showcase my artist thoughts. It’s not a second that goes by I’m not grateful for someone to stay I think he has talent and deserves a chance and she gave me that and I’ll spend the rest of my time on this earth working to prove her right and show that her decision is never a wasted one. For as many Filmmakers that she has helped I’m just happy to be apart of her brilliance.
Q: What’s next for Marcellus Cox in the upcoming future?
A: If everything goes according to plan a Feature haha. I would love to have a larger canvas to show what more I can do with my art. As any Filmmaker would like to have. Short Films are great calling cards but I know I’ve called to many times. So that’s my plan, hopefully that’ll come to life. I’m willing to go anywhere the wind takes me but I pray it’ll land on a Feature.
Q: If folks which to get in touch with you and know more about your career and your wonderful film where can they find you.
A: I’m not the biggest presence on Social Media but you can find me on Instagram @Cellusworld24 or Facebook @marcelluscox24. Outside of that you’ll find me in the city somewhere in LA I’m all over haha. Believe me it’s not hard to miss or find me.
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