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Jonas Elrod, a southern writer and director from Georgia, has a profound passion for storytelling as a catalyst for change. He grew up captivated by tales shared on porches late at night—stories of fallen heroes, unconventional love, and spiritual redemption. This deep respect for personal truth and meaningful narratives has guided both his fiction and non-fiction projects.
Elrod launched his film career with the acclaimed production company Rockhard Films, known for work with Nike, Jay-Z, and ESPN. After years in commercial and music video production, he transitioned into directing. His directing portfolio includes content and commercials for brands like Converse and Smirnoff, as well as projects with Spike Lee.
His debut documentary feature, Wake Up, premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival. The film chronicles Elrod's spiritual quest following an unexplained life event that triggered spontaneous metaphysical experiences, including seeing spirits, hearing voices, and having visions. Despite thorough medical testing—including MRI scans and psychological evaluations—that found no abnormalities, Elrod embarked on a journey to make sense of his experiences. He consulted religious leaders, fringe scientists, and contemporary mystics, framing his phenomenon as both a gift and a curse.
Wake Up resonated with audiences nationwide, screening in theaters across the country and becoming the premiere episode of the Emmy-winning Super Soul Sunday on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The film was also featured alongside an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Elrod’s most recent endeavor involves directing and hosting a series for OWN titled In Deep Shift with Jonas Elrod. This candid series explores the challenges of walking a spiritual path, following Elrod as he travels the country uncovering stories of individuals transformed by profound breakdowns who find redemption and purpose through spiritual breakthroughs. Designed to inspire those facing suffering, grief, and overwhelm, the series offers hope and guidance.
Reflecting on the experience, Elrod said, "It's been the greatest film experience to date. I personally learned so much from these stories and I hope that people can see there's always a way out." The series received positive reviews, frequently trended on Twitter, and featured notable guests such as Ted Talk alum Maysoon Zayid, NFL star Vince Young, and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette.
Known primarily for his documentary and commercial work, Elrod is now venturing into narrative filmmaking, with his debut feature slated to begin production in the fall of 2016.
