Sundance Interview: Deon Taylor & NFL Player Jalyn Holmes On The Journey From Filmmaking Bootcamp To Park City With Comedy Pilot ‘FreeLance’

When NFL Defensive End Jalyn Holmes was a player for the New York Jets, there was a bulletin board outside the locker room touting different off-season programs and activities for the players.

Holmes, a film lover and keen photographer — he’d recently been gifted a camera by a teammate in a Secret Santa — had his interest piqued by a bulletin for a film and TV training program called the NFL Career Tour in Los Angeles, which introduces players to filmmaking, acting, and how to navigate the business. It’s a rapid talent incubator, rather than a project incubator.

“I knew I was into photography, I just didn’t know much about it, other than pointing and shooting,” explains the 29 year-old former Buckeye who now plays for the Washington Commanders. “Typically, the training programs you hear about as a player are related to finance, real estate, business, maybe fashion; I’ve done real estate workshops before and I have some real estate interests. The film opportunity was different, though, because that was something I really wanted to tap into and I’ve always had an interest in. So, I took a shot and signed up.”

Fast-forward 18 months and Holmes is at the Sundance Film Festival with comedy pilot, FreeLance, which is playing in the Episodic Pilot strand. He’s the first player from the NFL’s film training program to have a project at a major film festival.

Holmes is an associate producer on the pilot, which he came to via his friendship with co-directors Julien and Justen Turner who produced the show under their DreadHead Productions banner and were the instigators and driving forces behind it. Holmes is an investor but has also taken a close interest in the process. The story follows a rookie filmmaker who chronicles making his first movie while living with creative friends who help each other chase their dreams in a crowded and who-you-know industry. The novice group end up taking odd jobs to survive and grow their brand. Cast includes All American and Creed III actor Spence Moore II and former Georgia Tech and NFL cornerback Lou Young III.