Hey There
I am eternally grateful to my parents for their sacrifices and hard work, which allowed me to grow up in an environment of freedom and security, absent of any prejudices and judgment. Growing up in Canada meant that I was experiencing a country that was providing opportunity and growth in one of the most progressive, forward thinking places on the planet. I was allowed to explore the arts, music and entertainment and found my calling in an industry that I love so much. Film & Television. Writing has always been a part of my life from a very young age. It has only taken me a lifetime to finish my first book.
My
Story
Jo Marr is an actor, writer, director, producer & musician whose career began watching the film, "The Making of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid". He hadn't seen the actual movie itself but immediately fell in love with the magic of movies.
When the California sunshine lured him away from the cold Canadian winters, he paid his dues coming up through the Famous Comedy Store, sharing the same stage with legends such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Gary Shandling, Robin Williams, Andrew Dice Clay & Jim Carrey to name a few, in what would be an early master class by the best comedic talents of our times.
That his first professional role in "Sneakers" would bring him face to face with the actual Sundance Kid, Robert Redford was a beautiful irony and along with fellow Oscar winners, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sidney Poitier & cast members Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix and James Earl Jones, was a sign that he was on the right path.
Jo continued training in Los Angeles and writing several screenplays which lead to writing & directing the short "Who's Killing the Meter Maids?" Starring Mariska Hargitay. This film inspired Jo to establish Nichol Moon Entertainment & Arrival Entertainment, Production Service Companies helping indie filmmakers realize their dreams & consulted on over 500 productions including, features such as Doug Liman's "Swingers". Jo & Company were a driving force in the independent film movement of the 90's. Jo went on to win "Best Feature" at the 1999 New York Film & Video festival for the film 'Blink of an Eye".
In 2006 Jo co-founded Film Tiger to produce independent feature films Timber Falls, Night Train and Stag Night. Inspired by his brother's relationship with his daughter, Jo wrote, produced and directed "Going Thru A Thing" about a small time criminal who coaches his daughter's basketball team for all the wrong reasons.
Subsequently Jo went on to co-write and produce Battle Drone about the future of warfare, as well as producing duties on Frat Pack, Billionaire (Best Comedy Feature, Burbank Intl Film Festival) Escape the Field & The Doorman, starring Ruby Rose and Jean Reno.
Jo continues to write, produce and direct, seeking out material and creatives who love the craft. Fortunate to be in an industry that is constantly changing, inspiring and challenging Jo remains grateful for the opportunities and freedoms afforded by the "best job in the world"
White Flags is Jo’s first book and has taken several years to complete. The journey of “White Flags” began as a feature film screenplay and subsequently was adapted into a book for the opportunity to tell a deeper more meaningful story.
