JAYFORCE

Right now quality programming is not exhibited much on Network TV.  Most great shows are on cable with what HBO & Showtime have done and now with channels like Starz & others being the go to place for great content.  With that said there is another place where people are finding the best content right at their fingertips. Yup U Guessed it (OG Maco voice) the Internet, Web Series & Netflix are where I spend a lot of my time.  I don’t know what abc or nbc is playing but ask me about “Smoke & Mirrors” and I can tell you all about it. If you are not familiar Smoke & Mirrors is a web series shot here in Atlanta, GA by Christmas in July productions.  Artemus Jenkins & KarynRose Bruyning are the creative forces behind it as Filmmaker & Director. After a successful first season they are back with Season 2 full of great stories and scenarios to keep you tuned in.  I decided to speak with Artemus Jenkins about Season 2, creating web content, and dating life in Atlanta which relationships are highlighted in the series.  So episode 1 of season 2 is posted here for your viewing pleasure be sure to go back and watch Season 1 and enjoy my interview with Artemus.

• ArtByOdell - Share with people what the aim is behind the web series Smoke & Mirrors?
• Artemus Jenkins - The aim behind Smoke and Mirrors is to express an image of love that relates more to what a lot of us actually know about lov. It is based more off experience than an idealistic portrait of love. The fact is, many of us have had a hard way to go when engaging in matters of love and romance so my partner KarynRose and I wanted to connect with everyone in a very organic way thru the stories we tell in Smoke and Mirrors

Click Here To Get A Copy Of The Entire Season 2

Complete Interview with Artemus after the Jump Below…

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• ArtByOdell – You are based out of Atlanta like we are how would you describe the Dating scene here?
• Artemus Jenkins – The dating scene in Atlanta, is very versatile and open. If you are looking and know where to look you can find exactly what you’re looking for on any given day, pretty much anywhere. A lot of people aren’t from here which means there are lots of people just looking to meet someone and see where it goes. If you put the work in and have a desire to be with someone, you can do it.

• ArtByOdell – Right now there is a movement of Black content creators like Black & Sexy TV, Dormtainment, including your company Christmas in July that are not just making quote unquote Black Web Series. You all are showing the beauty and diversity and range that we have how has that been received?
• Artemus Jenkins – The images we create at Christmas in July have been received very well by the public, people really appreciate that we speak to the public on a level they can relate to. I also think more than ever, the public has a very sharp authenticity radar, so companies like ours and the others you mentioned provide a more authentic experience. It’s honestly a more well rounded picture than what we’ve been seeing for the past decade or so; we aren’t just beautiful or just trying to be married with a bunch of kids or just any one thing. A big part of what writer/director KarynRose was going for is keeping the characters authentic and true to themselves and life in general. A lot of commercial products tell people what they should be and we just tell it like it is.

• ArtByOdell – This is season 2 of Smoke & Mirrors share with people how they can watch series and what you and your business partner KarynRose Bruyning have coming up?
• Artemus Jenkins – The best way to view the series is by visiting smokeandmirrors.vhx.tv, for $5 you can download or stream every episode of the season at once and watch at your discretion. We put the first season on youtube and people were compliant with that, but didn’t particularly enjoy waiting every other week for a new episode, so this time around you can watch it how you want to. Now that the show has been out a couple of weeks, we are also about to start our second wave of content for the folks who have ordered the series, which involves special features, behind the scenes, interviews with the filmmakers, cast commentary, etc.
• Artemus Jenkins – Aside from that KarynRose and I have a few projects we are locking in on for the fall and winter, a documentary or two and another narrative feature, so we really want to keep our momentum going, producing awesome work for everyone to enjoy!