Classic teddy wool jacket by Celine by Hedi Slimane; t-shirt by Officine Générale
Suit and shirt, both by Alexander McQueen
VT: Early on, you started your career in modeling and now your focus is on acting, filmmaking, and directing. What do you love most about each of these roles you have taken?
JM: Well I’ve been making films since I was young. The modeling was a big accident; a few weeks into Tisch I was scouted walking to class, and I just used it to make money. I guess I like it because it gave me set experience and has supported me while I’ve been exploring other interests. I love acting because I love being out of control, and I love directing because I love being in control.
VT: With the ongoing SAG/AFTRA strike (Started back on July 14), checking in to see how you are doing and what’s your view on the ongoing situation.
JM: As a SAG member I’m in solidarity with the union. I’m cast in an upcoming film that’s been impacted by the strike. I think everyone wants to get back to work, just under conditions that aren’t exploitative. So we’re all hopeful that will happen sooner than later. The strike isn’t just affecting the actors obviously, but the tens of thousands of other people who work in the industry too.
VT: From the directing front, you have collaborated with the hip hop collective Brockhampton, how did that come to be, and tell us about your collaborations with them.
JM: Yeah I met Ian (Kevin Abstract) through a mutual friend, Lucas Creighton who’s a really talented photographer. He had seen some short films I made and a visual art practice I have, and we just became friends. I felt really lucky to work with him and Brockhampton on that, and for it to be received so well.
Classic teddy wool jacket, vintage low rise in pure black wash denim Lou jeans and calfskin camargue biker chelsea boot, all by Celine by Hedi Slimane; t-shirt by Officine Générale
Suede jacket by Officine Générale
Shirt and pants, both by by Officine Générale; calfskin CT-06 high top sneaker by Celine by Hedi Slimane
VT: This past Spring you were seen in the Hulu streaming series, Saint X (with actor Jayden Elijah, who we have featured as well). Tell us about your role and for those who haven't seen the series, what is your character and the show about? Can you tell us about any particularly memorable moments or experiences you’ve had on set?
JM: Yeah I play a college kid named Wes who’s vacationing in the Caribbean. I think he’s there for comedic relief. The show is about a college girl who is discovered dead on her family trip to the Caribbean. It’s a mystery about who murdered her and it explores class, race, colonialism, and sexuality. I think just being around Betsy and Michael was memorable - they would get going and just not stop. We’d all have group dinners most nights. We laughed a lot.
VT: You also star in a short film by Angalis Field entitled The Dalles (also stars August Ackley) that premiered at Sundance this year. How did that project come to you and what's the plot of this shirt film?
JM: Yeah that was a beautiful experience for me. Angalis had seen me on the street and DM’d me on Instagram and asked me to audition. It’s a coming-of-age love story set in rural Oregon about a trans boy who’s not quite secure in himself yet because of his environment. I play a cyclist who stops at his family’s orchard, and he follows me to a cruising site. I read the script and saw some of Angalis's photos, and knew he was a special artist.
VT: This past May you went to Cannes, attending a very special private Celine dinner hosted by the creative director of the house, Hedi Slimane. Share with us what the experience was like. Celine is known for their luxe rock and roll sensibility, how does Hedi's collection reflect your personal style and vibe?
JM: Yeah that was a special experience. Everyone I met was really interesting and curious and humble. Being flown there was really cool and the accommodations were amazing. I think inherent in the idea of rock and roll is challenging conventional standards and liberating the ways we see ourselves as humans. I don’t want to speak to Hedi’s vision, but to me, he seems like an artist dedicated to capturing the spirit of that ethos in his photos and design. It’s just inspiring, I think that ethos is necessary for a culture to adapt and survive. I hope that’s reflected in the work I’m able to do. Also, the clothes he designs are beautiful and the craft is perfect.
VT: As we have mentioned, your career is focused on acting and directing. What are some personal goals that you have for yourself in your career moving forward, and how do you plan to achieve them?
JM: Goals. Hm. I think I’d just like to be a part of bigger projects and experiences that are saying something honest. I co-wrote a feature that’s a comedy that I’d like to act in too and have someone else direct. I plan on achieving them by getting better at my craft and not being an asshole.
Boxy jacket and trouser and loose shirt with drugstore collar and edgestitching in cotton poplin, patent leather laceup dress shoes, all by Celine by Hedi Slimane
Shirt and dress pants, both by Officine Générale; leather laceup sneakers by Nike
VT: Dream Cast: If you were given total freedom to cast a dramatic film you are planning on directing, who would choose to direct? (5 actors)
JM: A drama? That’s a fun question. Lea Seydoux, Tom Waits, Michaela Coel, Lily McInerny, and me.
VT: A book/film that has a major impact on you and why?
JM: Hm, too many but here’s three: Badlands by Terrence Malick. The characters are so fun and complicated. I love the rural landscape and youth, I think the spirit of it just made me think of my childhood and I’d never seen that before onscreen. I think it’s the first movie that felt like poetry to me too. For books, Motel Chronicles by Sam Shepherd and The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton. They’re both really good.
VT: What's the best advice someone that has given to you and you utilize whenever possible.
JM: “Kid, you just gotta do”
VT: Your favorite place to chill and what would you bring along with you?
JM: I like sitting on my sofa a lot and listening to music. I’ve been playing a lot of basketball recently too that’s relaxing for me. There’s also this new tea house/ archival book store near where I live called ‘Dear Friend’ that’s really cool.
VT: A word that best describes how you feel about your life atm.
JM: Curious
Suit and shirt, both by Alexander McQueen
Shirt and dress pants, both by Officine Générale
Actor/Filmmaker