Jessica Makinson

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
In 2022, I was able to shadow commercial director Jared Eberhardt on a series of spots for Pacific Source Health Care. He was so gracious in allowing me to contribute to the project in such a meaningful way that most shadowing directors aren’t given the room to do. And ultimately, he gave me directing credit on a couple of them.

All of my films have been self produced. The rest of my projects have been on spec and adopted later by organizations like @here4thekids.com.

How did you get into directing?
I did a lot of directing in college at Arizona State University. It look me many years of working in Los Angeles, making my living on-camera, before I came back around to the idea of directing. This was just my experience, but after being in over 75 national commercials, only three of those were helmed by female directors. It can be a barrier to entry if you don’t see yourself reflected back at you in the market place. After shooting my own short films and falling in love with the process again, I found myself less interested in simply being an actor. I wanted to contribute more to the creative process at every stage. And now I’m taking the leap of faith to make directing my full time focus.

What is your most recent project?
Besides strategizing with @here4thekids to get this PSA to air on broadcast TV…I’m most recently seeking financing on a climate change film with a female lead over 60. The short film will also serve as a proof of concept for the feature, intended to give audiences hope for their climate change induced anxiety. Showcasing real and existing technologies to create a future world where life is viable rather than dystopian. The project has fiscal sponsorship through The Film Collaborative and the script was recently selected at Film Quest 2023.

What is the best part of being a director?
Collaboration is the best! I enjoy working with all departments in an open and collaborative way. I especially love working with actors, coming from an on-camera background, I have a special insight into what they need. Actors love to play so giving them a chance to do that is always a joy.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I come from a big improv comedy background (iOWest and UCBLA) and I worked as actor on several improv based TV series that translated easily into a career in commercials as well. Once I started writing and developing my own narrative projects in 2013, I committed to producing a new short each year. The slow build has given me the time to hone my craft and tone as a director. And although I still perform live with my dear buddies in Theme Park Improv at festivals around the country, I’m transitioning into writing and directing full time.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
During the pandemic I worked on a project with Trey Parker and Matt Stone, one of the first with their company, Deep Voodoo. Working with deep fake technology first hand turned me on to all the possibilities. If the tech is used ethically, under proper contracts, and with permission of all involved then it can be an incredible creative tool. I’m hoping to partner with Deep Voodoo on my latest film for a flashback scene. The actors will appear 15 years younger without having to do a round of costly VFX that would otherwise make this scene impossible for our budget.

Contact

• Jessica Makinson, Website: jessicamakinson.com, Email: jessiemakinson@gmail.com