It took years and multiple attempts at different careers before Dusty Jones found his place behind the camera lens.

Last October, the 34-year-old owner of Film Saints Productions moved into a downtown office above Colter Coffee that he shares with a graphic design business.

His ultimate career goal is to make full-length feature films.

Right now, Jones is a one-man-band operating Film Saints Productions, which specializes in producing promotional and informational videos for the web, cinematography, short films and animation.

“I’m the editor, the sound designer, director — everything,” Jones said.

Jones uses a filmmaker’s touch to tell a story and show the personality of a business or organization. He said a well-produced video is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with potential customers.

“When people want to go to the website, they want to know who the owners are, what they do. I highlight them,” Jones said.

Jones clients have included Stillwater Christian School, Straight Blast Gym International and Absolute Fight Factory, among others.

Jones received his training through an International House of Prayer media and sound production apprenticeship in Kansas City, Mo. where he logged 1,500 hours of live TV broadcast experience in two years. 

“The coolest thing was we had our hands on state-of-the-art — the highest end — equipment,” Jones said.

The 1999 Flathead High School graduate had to make a trade-off to get to Kansas City. He did it by selling his classic muscle cars. He worked in a lumberyard right out of high school.

“I didn’t think about college in high school. I was just planning to go into the Navy. I thought filmmaking was a pipe dream,” Jones said.

The sacrifice was worth it to Jones, who grew up restoring mid- to late-1960s Chevrolets in his Dad’s garage, nicknamed “Bowtie Alley” after the Chevrolet logo.

 “I had a 1969 Chevelle, the first car I ever had, I sold that to my dad in 2007 when I went to Kansas City to do what I call film school,” Jones said. “Cars paid for my education. I wanted to be there [apprenticing] more than I wanted the hot rods. I can get those again.”

Before Jones decided to apprentice at International House of Prayer, he toyed with the idea of enrolling in a technical school and eventually owning a car shop.

“I thought I should turn wrenches for a living,” Jones said.

After training to be a mechanic for six months, Jones wasn’t satisfied doing it as a career. He decided to take a risk and break out of what he dubbed a “regular” job.

“It was death to me. There’s got to be more to life than playing it safe at some job,” Jones said.

He arrived in Kansas City in 2007 with his wife Kelsey. Both had previous experience at International House of Prayer through ministry internships in 2005.

Jones has enjoyed cultivating a career in media ever since. 

Recently, Jones worked on a reality TV show as a first assistant camera and field production assistant. The reality show was shot in Kalispell for Discovery Network. He has also worked on photo shoots. Most recently, Jones was referred to work as a production assistant for a Ralph Lauren photo shoot by a friend. The shoot was at Many Glacier and the crew was looking for someone who knew the park and had photography experience.

“A production assistant is low on the totem pole, but I never ate and drank so well,” Jones said.

Currently, he and his wife are working on a documentary about one of Montana’s growing industries. Jones said he is trying to keep mum about the subject matter to safeguard creative ideas.

In addition to video production and photography, Jones knows how to play the trumpet and has built a kitchen table using driftwood, a hacksaw, nails and a hammer.

In August, Jones will celebrate 12 years of marriage, a success in itself.

“All through high school she didn’t want to date me,” Jones said.

Jones described himself as a metal head in high school — the type of guy who didn’t want to go to prom or be in a relationship, that is, until he met his future wife.

But, “not until after we graduated did we date,” Jones said.

After three years of dating, he made the most important proposal — marriage — which she accepted Jones said, beaming.

The couple now has five children: Lexus, 7, Israel, 6, Priscilla, 4, Levi, 3 and Noah, 1. 

Find Jones online at www.filmsaints.com, www.facebook.com/filmsaints and vimeo.com/filmsaints.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.