fi ve alive fi lms <strong>in</strong>ter<strong>view</strong> with Gerald Jackson, Jr. by er<strong>in</strong> thursby Break<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to fi lm direct<strong>in</strong>g can be a daunt<strong>in</strong>g task, but those that are will<strong>in</strong>g to cast a net outside <strong>the</strong> usual artsy-<strong>in</strong>die projects can carve out a liv<strong>in</strong>g. In between more personally driven projects, Jacksonville director-for-hire Gerald Jackson, Jr. lends his fi lmmak<strong>in</strong>g artistry to different types of fi lms, from music videos and promotional book trailers to <strong>com</strong>mercials. He has also made a number of creative short fi lms, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a satirical documentary called Chas<strong>in</strong>g Kev<strong>in</strong>: <strong>the</strong> Hunt for a Picture with Kev<strong>in</strong> Smith, which seems to echo Michael Moore’s Roger & Me, with a much less serious subject. EU got <strong>the</strong> chance to have a dialogue with Jackson about fi lmmak<strong>in</strong>g and his production <strong>com</strong>pany, Five Alive Films. EU: You’ve done quite a few projects s<strong>in</strong>ce you graduated four years ago from Florida State University with a M. F. A <strong>in</strong> Motion Picture, Television & Record<strong>in</strong>g Arts. How have you changed as an artist s<strong>in</strong>ce graduat<strong>in</strong>g? Gerald Jackson, Jr: As an artist I’ve defi nitely learned to respect fi lmmak<strong>in</strong>g more, as well as what it takes to get a project <strong>com</strong>pleted. My fi rst several projects were basically funded because of fi lm school. When I returned to Jacksonville <strong>in</strong> 2004, I found out that I had to pursue fi nanc<strong>in</strong>g and assistance to get <strong>the</strong> project <strong>com</strong>pleted. This, at times, proved to be quite frustrat<strong>in</strong>g. Also as an <strong>in</strong>dependent, I’ve been able to access equipment and technology I’ve never been able to use before. Of course, this <strong>com</strong>es with a price attached, but sacrifi ces must be made for <strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong> project. Regard<strong>in</strong>g my shoot<strong>in</strong>g style, I’m glad to say I’ve been able to <strong>in</strong>corporate more movement <strong>in</strong> my projects. My last several projects <strong>in</strong>corporated jibs, cranes, dollies, and <strong>the</strong> manipulation of movement speed. I love fi lms that are always on <strong>the</strong> go; hopefully, this movement will <strong>com</strong>plement <strong>the</strong> fi lm’s narrative. I learn more with every project that I <strong>com</strong>plete. EU: What <strong>in</strong>spired you to be<strong>com</strong>e a fi lmmaker? GJ: Many th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>spired me to want to be<strong>com</strong>e a part of <strong>the</strong> fi lm <strong>in</strong>dustry. I can remember as a child, always tell<strong>in</strong>g stories to all of my friends. Of course, I told <strong>the</strong>se stories...visually and...dramatically… Also, I’ve always loved movies. Every weekend grow<strong>in</strong>g up, my parents would take me and my bro<strong>the</strong>r to as many movies as possible. I would be mesmerized by <strong>the</strong>se mov<strong>in</strong>g pictures on this large screen! It is uncanny how powerful <strong>the</strong> media of fi lm is. I can’t even tell you how my times I’ve cried, screamed, be<strong>com</strong>e enraged, laughed, and even learned someth<strong>in</strong>g just from a fi lm! After witness<strong>in</strong>g how <strong>in</strong>fl uential movies can be, I knew I had to be<strong>com</strong>e <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> art form <strong>in</strong> some form or fashion. EU: I notice you use a lot of digital. Is that <strong>the</strong> only medium you use? What are <strong>the</strong> benefi ts and drawbacks of digital? GJ: Locally, my projects have been done on digital video. The ma<strong>in</strong> reason is primarily fi nancial. Many don’t realize that fi lm is extremely expensive. First, you actually have to purchase <strong>the</strong> fi lm stock, which is not cheap... After fi lm<strong>in</strong>g, huge costs go <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> fi lm’s process<strong>in</strong>g. Believe me, that’s also quite pricey. Don’t forget, that unless you own a fi lm camera, you can add on rental fees. For <strong>in</strong>dependent fi lmmakers, us<strong>in</strong>g actual fi lm can be a fi nancial challenge. From my experience, digital video cameras are cheaper to rent than fi lm cameras. Plus, <strong>in</strong>stead of purchas<strong>in</strong>g actual fi lm, you only have to buy digital video tapes which are <strong>com</strong>paratively <strong>in</strong>expensive. I’ve actually shot on fi lm before, and <strong>the</strong> time and stress saved by us<strong>in</strong>g digital is amaz<strong>in</strong>g! With digital, you don’t have to worry too much about over/underexposure, “hairs” <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> gate, fi lm scratches, and <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>evitable fi lm process<strong>in</strong>g. Many purists would argue how today’s fi lmmakers are deviat<strong>in</strong>g from “<strong>the</strong> art” of fi lmmak<strong>in</strong>g by not us<strong>in</strong>g fi lm. I always have to rem<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong>m that it’s not what you fi lm on that is impor- 46 MAY 2008 | eu jacksonville monthly | movies tant, it’s <strong>the</strong> story that matters most. If your project has a good plot/narrative, what type of media you fi lm on is irrelevant. With today’s technology, digital fi lm can fl awlessly duplicate <strong>the</strong> look of actual fi lm. Films such as 28 Days Later and Bamboozled were both fi lmed digitally. Therefore, it is apparent that Hollywood is slowly start<strong>in</strong>g to embrace digital fi lmmak<strong>in</strong>g as legitimate. EU: Where are book trailers shown? I’d like to know a little more about book trailers s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> medium is new to me…. GJ: Absolutely! Book trailers are a develop<strong>in</strong>g new trend <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> book <strong>in</strong>dustry. For those not familiar, book trailers are essentially movie trailers for books. The author will <strong>the</strong>n use <strong>the</strong>m for promotional purposes. For example, <strong>the</strong> author might take <strong>the</strong> trailer to conventions, or run <strong>the</strong>m on his/her website. Rumor has it that <strong>the</strong>se trailers might be shown <strong>in</strong> bookstores. It is strongly assumed that <strong>the</strong>se trailers will take off and possibly be <strong>the</strong> standard. Does anyone remember <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry’s <strong>in</strong>itial reaction to music videos? EU: Tell us about your most <strong>current</strong> project… GJ: I have several excit<strong>in</strong>g projects go<strong>in</strong>g on. This past fall, I opened my own production <strong>com</strong>pany named Five Alive Films. We specialize <strong>in</strong> book trailers, music videos, and fi lm shorts. Currently, we are aggressively contact<strong>in</strong>g record labels to produce music videos. This is defi nitely someth<strong>in</strong>g I’m excited about. I’ve directed three, so I’m hop<strong>in</strong>g to do more. I am absolutely <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> experiment<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> music genres such as country, punk rock, folk, and rap. My production <strong>com</strong>pany is also <strong>current</strong>ly <strong>in</strong> negotiations with WJXE-15, a new television channel <strong>in</strong> town, to produce a new television program. It is tentatively titled “Sunday Morn<strong>in</strong>g Gospel Brunch,” and it will be an <strong>in</strong>spirational show that will feature local gospel groups, simple cook<strong>in</strong>g, and uplift<strong>in</strong>g dialogue. F<strong>in</strong>ally, I’m <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> process of research<strong>in</strong>g grants to fund a major fi lm short for this late summer/early fall. I <strong>com</strong>pleted a script titled “Shannon and Courtney’s Babysitter Bedlam,” and it is about two children and <strong>the</strong>ir misadventures with a problematic babysitter. EU: What project are you most proud of? GJ: I would have to say my music video, ‘Jump<strong>in</strong>g Waves’ by <strong>the</strong> band Tracy Shedd. It was my fi rst music video, and it turned out so well. We used both digital and real fi lm, and it looked amaz<strong>in</strong>g! I love do<strong>in</strong>g period pieces, so we asked local car clubs to donate v<strong>in</strong>tage cars. We used period clo<strong>the</strong>s, hairstyles, and props to create <strong>the</strong> perfect look. The best part was that that everyone who worked on this project all volunteered. I always offer my s<strong>in</strong>cerest gratitude to my volunteers. In <strong>the</strong> end, it turned out great and we had an amaz<strong>in</strong>g time! EU: What’s your op<strong>in</strong>ion of <strong>the</strong> local fi lm scene? GJ: When I returned to Jacksonville, I was fl oored by <strong>the</strong> constant fi lm activities that were go<strong>in</strong>g on. There were fi lm festivals, fi lm screen<strong>in</strong>gs, meet<strong>in</strong>gs, and socials almost weekly! On top of that, a major fi lm came to town to fi lm every season. I’ve noticed lately that <strong>the</strong> fervor around local fi lms have cooled lately. By no means am I say<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong> passion isn’t <strong>the</strong>re, but <strong>the</strong>re doesn’t seem to be as many fi lm-related activities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area. I’m sure <strong>the</strong> excitement will be pick<strong>in</strong>g up very soon, and I hope to be <strong>in</strong>volved. You can see some of Jackson’s fi lms on his production <strong>com</strong>pany website, fi vealivefi lms.<strong>com</strong>, where you can also contact him for a project.
movies | eujacksonville.<strong>com</strong> | MAY 2008 47