-The amazing power of the full picture -

Jonson D’Angelo, originally from Philadelphia (U.S.), is one of the few, and most active black female directors in the UK.

Having worked mainly in the music industry, she has written, directed and produced over two hundred TV and radio commercials and music promos (including internet virals) working alongside a huge range of artists such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Tom Jones, Jay Z, Rihanna, Blue and Jools Holland, to name a few.

She directed and produced three documentaries/DVDs on Jools Holland and Tom Jones.

As for commercials, you will have seen some of her great work for brands such as Espirit, Phillips, Orange, Nintendo, and Ferrari, amongst others.

Jonson was the Creative Director of JJ Stereo Limited, from which she resigned in 2005 to pursue her passion and desire for filmmaking.

In the past 24 months, and in a move away from the music industry, she founded Playground Pictures, through which she has written two short film scripts entitled ‘Your Number’s Up’, a funny tale of loneliness in Belfast and “Jenny” a dark modern day fairytale narrated by Richard O’Brien (Rocky Horror Show), and starring Lorcan O’Toole, Ella Blake, Camille Coduri and Alfie Allen, which you can watch above.

‘Jenny’ has recently won the "Best Short Action Drama" at the Third Screen Festival and has been accepted for the LA Shorts Film Festival, which makes it eligible for a BAFTA and an Academy Award.

Both films have been accepted into numerous film festivals worldwide including Hollywood, Newport Beach, Riverside, Philadelphia, Belfast, and Palm Springs.

This month not only we have the pleasure to feature “Jenny” but we are also interviewing Jonson, for ours and your enjoyment.

MDM: How did you come about “Jenny”?

JONSON: Jenny was originally written by Ella Blake (12 years old)  who is the daughter of my best friend  and costume Designer Andy Blake - she borrowed my laptop to do her homework and when she gave it back to me,Jenny Runaway was on the screen. .  I thought immediately that it would make a great short, but I didn't do anything about it for two years.  I had just finished writing my other short 'Your Numbers Up" and felt it was a bit long for the festivals and I needed to do something a bit shorter, so I asked Ella if she would like to make a film out of her poem...she agreed.  I then approached Richard O'Brien and asked him if narrate the story for me, he said yes, but would like to "play with it a little" - he re-wrote it, we loved it and I knew we had to make it. Ella stars as the young Jenny in the film. - The website for the film is: 'JENNY' (Click to visit website)>>

MDM: When or how can we watch your short “Your Number’s Up” and what is the story behind it?

JONSON: Your Number's Up is based on my mum and her best mate Annie McNally - two Belfast women, who have been friends forever.

Synopsis: A deeply ingrained, religious divide exists in the community of Belfast.  Bernie, resides in the Catholic side of Belfast, and spends her days seeking company by visiting random wakes, found in the back pages of the local newspaper. Your Number’s Up follows Bernie on one such day, as humour turns to tragedy when she finds herself at the wake of someone she least expects.  

The division between life and death serves as a powerful metaphor of the deep rift between the two faiths. A rift that can - and is - breached through the power of friendship. 

I will send you a link or a DVD in the post.  I haven't uploaded it as it is still doing the rounds at the Festivals - I would be disqualified if it is shown on the net.

MDM: What do you think of the recent decision by the Ministry of Culture to abolish the UK Film Council institution?

JONSON: SHOCKING!!!! 

MDM: Jonson, thank you very much again for your time and for granting us to
feature this wonderful short piece, “Jenny”, which we are sure that our readers worldwide will love as much as we do.

JONSON: Thanks for your interest - good luck  for the future....