We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Holbrook and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I am a creator and I am in control of my own destiny. I never liked working for another person as I feel they have control of my independence. Creating content and acting is where I feel I am in my element.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My challenges have always been a struggle to make a living at what I am passionate about which is being a filmmaker and actor. Being an artist is not easy nor lucrative unless you have the right eyes on you. I started my venture in 1990 with educating myself by reading, going to film schools and attending cerifiacate programs. In the early 2ooo, I started my video production business, TALL TAURUS MEDIA, specializing in Marketing and video production.

Through the years I had always chased the dream to become a successful filmmaker. I was never happy with what I was doing as I was creating for others and not myself. While creating corporate videos for big companys, I would work on my own creations involving independent narrative projects like my web series, STILL, which was a science fiction thriller. After finishing 3 episodes, I had posted them on facebook, which to my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People loved STILL which I produced along with the help of a couple of passionate production assistants. My emails were soon filled with fans who wanted to volunteer to help me with making more episodes. This obviously became a huge distraction from business. In 2012 I decided to shut the doors to my video production business and start my path being a narrative filmmaker, creating my new film company, CHRONICLE FACTORY.

The following years, I wrote produced and directed several short films and two features called TALL MEN (2016) and BELOVED BEAST (2018), which also got picked up for distribution and are currently streaming on multiple platforms. After Covid I decided to focus on my original dream and start acting in front of the camera, Some acting gigs include films such as The Parish, The Death of Snow White, Last Rung on the Ladder, Moontoken, Feet of Death and the Capitol Murder Amazon series. The end of September 2025, I will have a role in a midevil film called DEFENDER as the lead antagonist.

None of this was easy and still is not. Much perseverance and self hustling is needed. I also learned who my true friends are during this process. I feel I will always be chasing but that is also the fun of it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My wife and I recently bought a home outside Vancouver, WA. My back deck is the best place to smoke pipe tobacco or cigars, pairing a Ruby Port wine, a dirty martini or a nice Manhattan coctail.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Melanie. She sees my passion and loves what I do. I have total support from her and her trust in me.

Website: https://www.chroniclefactory.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_holbrook_filmmaker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chroniclejon69

Image Credits
Alley Rutzell

Martin Ghecea

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