Jerome K. Miller on Vision, Grit and Becoming the "Jean-Michel Basquiat" of Film
- Tammy Reese
- 5 minutes ago
- 9 min read
By Tammy Reese
Jerome K. Miller isn’t chasing the spotlight, he’s walking in his purpose. The New York City–based producer, writer and filmmaker has built his creative path through sheer determination, sharpened instincts and a commitment to telling stories that rise above circumstance. His work stretches across short films, documentaries and playwriting, each piece rooted in lived experience and the people he hopes to uplift.
From a childhood spent observing his neighborhood with a promise to “make it out,” to learning the discipline of expression through writing, Miller has shaped a storytelling voice grounded in truth and selflessness. He credits trial and error for refining that voice, not as a burden but as a compass pointing him back to why he creates: to give others a chance to be seen and heard. Now, with more than 30 completed projects and a relentless drive for what’s next, Miller stands ready to keep making an impact in the film industry.
What moments in your life or career shaped the storyteller you are today and how did trial and error sharpen your voice as a filmmaker?
Jerome: Wow, this is a phenomenal question. However, a few moments that come to mind within my life & career that shaped the storyteller that I am today, are:
At the age of six years old, I think when I was sitting on my grandma’s porch, I remember telling myself based on everything that was ongoing and what my eyes at such a young age were seeing, that there has to be another way of living life, aside from what I’m seeing. I remember telling myself, okay, you’re going to make it out and I’m going to be different from everyone else in my neighborhood and be different from everyone who comes from this environment. I’m going to bring change to the hood, I’m going to bring change to my city, I’m going to tell stories about what my eyes have seen. Based on the trajectory of my early upbringings (what I was born into), statistically, & this is subjective but approximately, 95% of people will either end up in jail, prison, dead, or working a minimum-wage job because of what the environment may prompt you to do. Yet, I told myself that I’m going to use this as fuel, use this as inspiration for others who come from a similar background or environment, that hey, you too can make it. Don’t let the circumstances that you are born into define you. How would I do that, you might ask? Via storytelling!
Another moment, being that I’m an only child and my mom had to take care of her & I, as a single parent which led to her having a myriad of responsibilities, I felt that I never had the opportunity to express myself to anyone, so, I would write. I would journal. I would envision being an artist; a poet, you know someone who had a way with words. There weren’t many kids of my age, aside from my best friend Rasul, who I could relate to, or express myself towards & talk with, so writing was my escape. Writing was an escape for me, because at a young age, with my father not being present and with me being the only child, I felt alone. I felt misunderstood. I felt like an outcast, even though my family on my father’s side was three blocks away & my mom, being at home, whenever she could, I felt like I didn’t belong.
Hearing the name of Spike Lee & seeing his work via film. That gave me hope, that okay, someone out here, whose of the same race, speaks on topics that I’m enamored by, and want to bring light towards, looks artsy, & creates/storytell has made it. I can do the same! Spike, for sure, shaped me!
Traveling the world and leaving America to see the world, what others experience & go through via their life on a day to day basis, how their culture is, how their upbringings are somewhat similar, seeing poverty and also how the process life, these moments provided the eclecticism with how I write and create. As I’ve had conversations with people who come from all walks of life and I have friends who are from 15 plus different countries and ethnic backgrounds.
Trial and error sharpened my voice as a filmmaker, by allowing me to internalize that okay, what I’m doing (being a filmmaker) is not about me. Why I write is not about me. Why I create is not about me. Why I make art is not about me. Why I use my voice, as a filmmaker, is not about me. It’s about those who aren’t heard. It’s about those who can’t use their voice. It’s about those who may not have the wherewithal to create and make art. Ultimately, trial and error, provided the perspective that hey, none of this is about you, Jerome. Be selfless!
Your work spans short films, documentaries, and playwriting. How do you decide which medium can hold the weight of the story you want to tell?
Jerome: Hmm it depends on the audience that I’m aiming to speak to & the picture that I’m trying to paint via my canvas of storytelling. For example: for the playwright, based on the story behind the playwright, which I can’t divulge yet, the audience that I’m aiming to speak to are young girls, young women, and women. This is based on my experiences with women on all levels (friends, family, & associates), and how the world simply doesn’t understand them. For the documentaries: the stories are raw, real, & unfiltered. So, the best way to encapsulate the story is by framing it in the format of a documentary. For short films: you can experiment more, you can use a team, have a crew, really work, & get a feel for what a real set on film is like, identify if you can tell a story, you can imagine yourself in Hollywood or here in NYC, filming. So, when I’m in that mood, that is when I apply a story that I want to tell in the format of a short film.
What current projects are you most excited about, and what can you share with our readers about what’s coming next?
Jerome: The current project that I’m most excited about is “Jean-Michel” which will be released on November 30th on YouTube via my creative art YouTube page @blinkofaneye___ which can be accessed by searching blink of an eye worldwide. I’m excited because the world and people who know me, will finally get to see the artist side of me. A lot of people, well, probably everyone, isn’t aware that I have that in me, which is funny because I’ve always been an artist. I just could never showcase it. Now, the beginning of everyone getting to see the artist Jerome K. Miller starts and I can’t wait. What’s coming next? A lot. When I say, a lot, I mean it. At the moment, I have approximately 33 plus projects that are done. My first feature film is done! I have some episodic content projects. I have the playwright, which has been done. Yeah, to be honest, I’m in 2028, as I write a lot. To be more specific, the projects to look forward to next are:
Busy with Success which will release in January, 2026
The Bodega which will release in January, 2026
Chapters which will release in February, 2026
Old Man Rome which I can’t wait for the world to see
My very first feature film, which I plan to release in 2027. Jean-Michel Basquiat was the inspiration behind it. I can’t wait for the world to see how I’m getting ready to disrupt the industry! My assistant read the script, & she was like (you need to put this out) (this is better than a lot of what is shown on the streaming platforms & in theaters), so, I can’t wait to share this with the world.
How would you describe the current state of the film industry? What excites you, and what concerns you?
Jerome: It’s funny that you ask this question because recently, I had a thought where I posed the same question to myself; to be transparent, I would say that the film industry is going through a shift. It’s going through a major change. What the shift is exactly, I’m not sure. What the change is, I have no idea. All I can say is, to all of the filmmakers, writers, & creators, & whoever is in the film industry, don’t forget why you started. Don’t forget you’re why, because that is what is going to keep you going and keep you thriving. What excites me about the film industry, is that we all are one view, one comment, one like, one repost, one short film, film documentary, series, or project away from our lives being changed. The opportunities are out there! Just be consistent, maximize what makes you unique, and maximize being in your own lane. What concerns me about the film industry: is that there isn’t a direction of where the industry is going and this may lead to people losing hope, they may be giving up on their dream to be in film. They may quit. I say to them just keep fighting. Keep believing & have faith! I’ve been at this thing since late 2018, so, everything is going to work itself out.
Which artists — inside or outside of film — have had the most profound influence on your work and worldview?
Jerome: Sade. Jean-Michel Baquiat. Michelangelo. Yayoi Kusama. Andre 3k. A$ap Rocky. Miles Davis. Maya Angelou. Kanye West. Spike Lee. Tupac Shakur. Lauryn Hill. Aaliyah. Teyana Taylor. Michael Jackson.
What role does New York City play in your creative identity? How has the city shaped your style, discipline, or storytelling lens?
Jerome: NYC when it comes to my creative identity, the role that it plays is just allowing me to speak to everyone & create art that everyone can relate to & with. The city is a melting pot, where no judgement really occurs. In this city, you can literally be yourself. So, with that being a facet of the city, that allows me to create free-flowing-ly. I can write to the Dominican audience. I can write to the Haitian audience. I can write to the non-black audience. I can write to those of the Caribbean. I can write to the Jews. I can write to any audience. The city of NY, is for everyone, so, in a way that is how it has shaped my style & storytelling lens.
You’ve spoken about not wanting to be remembered as “the greatest,” but as the inspiration. What does inspiration look like when expressed through film?
Jerome: Inspiration, when expressed through film, is being able to relate and connect to everyone; it doesn’t matter their walk of life, upbringing, or background. For example: I don’t come from an affluent background. However, I have a film which will release at a later date that someone who comes from an affluent background or a background where their parents were both millionaires, can relate & connect with what I’m depicting via film. The story that I’m telling will make them feel understood, feel good about themselves, confident, loved, joyful, like someone has heard them, it will tell them that hey, it’s no pressure, you got it, no matter what maybe ongoing, like they aren’t in this thing by themselves which will prompt them to be and feel inspired. This will create a chain reaction & lead them to share with others, as inspiration. Essentially, what I create & express via film, will not fade. It’ll live on, long after I’m gone & be an inspiration to others to express themselves.
What do you hope people ultimately take away from your career? And as readers learn more about you through this interview, what do you hope stays with them long after they turn the page?
Jerome: Ultimately, I want people to take away that it was never about me. The long and sleepless nights. The grind. The people counting you out and not believing in what you envision. The constant rejections. The constant days of not having money. The days of figuring it out, and what the rest of today or tomorrow will look like, essentially, the uncertainty, just never quit. Never give up! I want people to take these things away. So, I want people, well, I hope they will take away that in my career, I never gave up & I never quit. I fought for everything and I didn’t take any shortcuts or handouts, I took the long route, I took the stairs, I ran the marathon s/o to Nipsey Hussle the Great, and I worked for everything. I remained loyal, I remained myself, I remained humble, I remained selfless, and I remained authentic with a smile on my face through it all. After this interview, I hope that long after the readers turn the page, what stays is that Jerome was “Just an artist, whose aim was to master intertwining the dots, while simultaneously building an empire, & inspire everyone whose paths he crosses”. & with that…the inspiration is signing off.
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