BEVERLY HILLS—Ty Granderson Jones is a local actor, writer and producer who helms Creole Celina Films and is using his unique brand of creativity to break the glass ceiling a lot of maverick and uniquely different stars find in Tinseltown. Jones, a native of New Orleans, is very intriguing to talk to; he’s not very shy either. During our groundbreaking interview, I found him to be open-minded, but very determined not to change or lose what makes him stand out in the entertainment industry.

Ty Granderson Jones

Q-Can you tell me what made you make the film “Napoleonic,” and what was your inspiration for it?

A-“Well, the long story is…my acting career was stalling. Over the years after guest starring on a few high profile network shows such as the critically acclaimed ‘ER’ on NBC, etc., and co-starring and starring in a few high profile studio films such as ‘CB4’ with Chris Rock and Charlie Murphy, I was auditioning a lot for lead roles, huge supporting roles that would make a huge difference in my career. When I would get close to booking those roles, it would always get down to me and the other guy and that other guy would always book the role and all those guys have gone on to become stars and you know who they are if I named them. I asked myself what can I do about this as an artist and a professional in a business called Show Business. The answer for me was to get serious with my writing."

“Anyway, I was determined to write and develop a film with a mouse type role and get it made. After developing that project under the auspices of screenwriters Jim Uhls ('Fight Club') and Blake Heron ('The Bourne Identity') in a high profile writers lab, I created a production company, Creole Celina Entertainment (CreoleCelinaEnt.com) for a foundation, but it was taking too long to get the film made, find money, etc., and then the idea of a short film in the interim of that big project came to mind. A project that could possibly remind the industry and public of my cinematic craft and market value, because I just was not working and I wanted to get myself back out there on screen via it be festivals or whatever. I wasn’t just going to sit around and cry about Hollywood not wanting me. I had come up with the idea of creating a story and character that would address the social accusations (by those who know me) of Ty Granderson Jones having a Napoleon complex, because I am a confident small man. Society, generally speaking, has a problem with small men who are confident and exude power, always labeling us with Napoleon complex. I wanted to dispute that because if I had the same personality at 6 feet, no one would say anything. So that was the first wave of an idea. Then Katrina happened, wiped out New Orleans and two years later it was still wiped out and it bothered me. It bothered me because my blood is Creole. Most of my family and ancestors were actually born in the French Quarters, my grandmother was. I lost a family member in Katrina. Then I encountered a couple of up and coming screenwriter/filmmakers who had recently moved to Hollywood from New Orleans, Peter Compagno and Joseph Riccobono. They lost everything in New Orleans and moved out here to go for it. I pitched them my Napoleonic idea, they read my first draft and countered with the idea to tell a fictional political post-Katrina vigilante story in New Orleans, based on fact, where the Napoleonic Code still exist, where Napoleon conquered, and interweave the Napoleon complex idea into the story. I thought it was brilliant. Because of my New Orleans/Creole roots and my socio-political consciousness, and my appeal for thought provoking, dark, edgy roles and material, the concept was a no brainer. We all co-wrote ‘Napoleonic,’ Peter and Joe financed it thru their company Imminent Studios, led by their partner David Richard. John Densmore of ‘The Doors’ was also an investor as Co-Executive Producer. We shot it on location in New Orleans with a stellar cast of my friends of noted actors, i.e. Nick Mancuso and Roger Guenveur Smith.”

Q-It has been well-received. Does it offer you a sense of joy of some measure to have a film be well-received but still edgy enough to make people think about your work?

A-“You bet! I am very joyous about ‘Napoleonic.’ As I mentioned before, I love thought provoking, edgy and dark characters and material. I think that it is a viable and creative way to explore and bring light to some of the political, sociological and sociopath-like circumstances we encounter on this planet other than watching CNN. Screenwriting and making films via such exploration, bringing light to such subject matter is not easy to do without being preachy and we were very aware to not preach in terms of the story and filmmaking process, but entertain and tell a story, yet bring some light to some factual circumstances in a fictional manner in terms of what was/is going on in post-Katrina New Orleans."

“No doubt ‘Napoleonic’ is very ambitious. Nonetheless, ‘Napoleonic’ has been rejected by more festivals than not and we believe it’s because it is too controversial in terms of what happens and the statement we are making. I don’t want to give away too much for those who may see the film in the upcoming Action on Film International Film Festival (nominated for Best Experimental Project), or any other possible upcoming festival, but basically we wanted to make a film that was an ode to the people of New Orleans, that supported awareness of the politics, situation and the people of New Orleans, yet we were even turned down by the New Orleans Film Festival. We were dumbfounded. As for other festivals that rejected the film, we think fee collections are going on and perhaps all films are not being viewed. We strongly believe that Napoleonic is worth serious festival consideration.”

Q-In addition to acting, you also wrote the film. Was it difficult to play such a fascinating role, or did you enjoy it?

A-“I only co-wrote it, co-produced it and starred in it. I directed 'Tale of Two Dragons,’ which is a spiritual experimental martial arts short co-written by me and my writing/producing partner Anna Yosin, who also starring in it. She is nominated for Female Action Performer of the Year in Tale of Two Dragons, an official selection along with ‘Napoleonic’ in the upcoming Action on Film International Film Festival. Noted film director David Raynr ('Whatever It Takes, Trippin') directed ‘Napoleonic.’ As for the difficulty of playing Andre Bozant in ‘Napoleonic,’ I think as an actor, if you are approaching any multi-dimensional character, given it is well developed and written, it is always difficult, at least for me. But for some actors, it may be a piece of cake. But I want it to be difficult and a challenge for my craft. I am about evolving and growing as an actor and person. They go hand in hand from my point of view. My goal is to be better each and every time you see Ty Granderson Jones on film or stage. I guess that comes from my theatre background (having done over 60 plays in New York and L.A.) and my training (MFA in Acting; UCSD). It is all cake for me to be able to exhibit my craft cinematically in what has been considered a violent, controversial, socio-political little film. I always enjoy acting and the process, I love hearing ‘action’ or when doing the play, ‘places.’ As mentioned, I love portraying dark characters and embracing their journey, exploring the dark side of humanity, I know these guys, I traveled their path which is why my story has been included in the award winning Hollywood photo journal ‘Mugshots’ (mugshotsthebook.com/) along with actors Eric Roberts, Danny Trejo and many others. ‘Mugshots’ is a book about artists’ ruin to redemption. Archlight Hollywood Cinema recently exhibited 24 portraits from ‘Mugshots,’ mine included, over the last couple months.”

Q-Where can people find this film, and what festivals and online venues can they view it?

A-“Last week ‘Napoleonic’ played at the Action on Film International Film Festival. Both my films ‘Napoleonic’ and ‘Tale of Two Dragons’ also played last week at the Regency Academy Theatres, Theatre #6 in Pasadena.”

Q-Can you tell me if your film "Tale of Two Dragons" was done before or after “Napoleonic?”

A-"‘Tale of Two Dragons’ was done after ‘Napoleonic.’ It was my directing debut and hence, I am excited with the talent in it. My partner Anna Yosin garners the Female Performer of the Year nod from the Action on Film International Film Festival.”

Q-What is next for you professionally?

A-“Well, I’ll always consider myself a gun to be hired when Hollywood calls, although I will not be sitting around waiting for Hollywood to call, I am ready and frothing at the mouth for a juicy role in television or film, the next television guest star or juicy feature film supporting role. I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready. In the meantime, myself along with my producing partners via our company, Creole Celina Entertainment, will be working on the viability of our company contingent upon projects that we are developing, primarily the feature film project that I aforementioned that I originally wrote and developed under the auspices of screenwriters Jim Uhls ('Fight Club') and Blake Heron ('The Bourne Identity') in a high profile writers lab. It was also a finalist in the Sundance Feature Program. My partners (primary out of Germany) and I have been developing the project for the past four years and are very close to packaging for financiers. It is an off-beat gangster mystery action thriller called ‘The Cool and Creepy.’ Also, I look forward to returning to the boards, the theatre and doing the play. It is my spine. There is a great possibility of reviving in NYC the play written by Samuel Joseph, ‘Window of Opportunity,’ wherefore, I will revisit the character Byron which he wrote for me. The play was produced by The Doors’ John Densmore and staged at The Met Theatre a couple years ago.”

More on Jones coming soon.