22: Jacob Z. Smith – Director, Producer, Politician, Environmental Advocate
Summary
Jacob is an award-winning Colorado fillmmaker, a former mayor, and a former U.S. senate staffer. His films include a family short called Chasing Rabbits, and the feature documentary Waking the Sleeping Giant: The Making of a Political Revolution, which is currently in national and international distribution. He's also the executive director of a local government coalition advocating for stronger climate policy in Colorado.
Show Notes
[1:09] Jacob's Background
- Grew up as a military brat, settled in Aurora, CO in middle school
- Currently lives in Golden, CO
[2:16] Jacob's career path in environmental advocacy and politics
[5:25] Senator Bernie Sanders and Waking the Sleeping Giant: The Making of a Political Revolution
[9:00] The evolutionary process of budgeting when making a film
[14:59] “Making money” on a documentary; documentaries vs. narratives
[18:40] Getting access to characters for a documentary
[22:28] Building trust
[27:15] Utilizing referrals and taking chances with different location crews
[29:46] The difference a good editor and color correctionist can make
[30:47] Judging production length
[33:47] Thoughts on distribution
[36:31] A few different ways to offer screenings
[38:37] Working with distributors
[44:23] Where the most of the budget goes
[49:43] Mistakes were made
[54:30] Dancing on the Elephant
[57:26] Budgeting for a narrative feature
[1:00:33] Requirements for the investors
[1:05:00] Doing things differently with distribution for Dancing on the Elephant
[1:09:44] The costs of hiring locally in different locations
[1:14:24] The biggest “AHA” moments
[1:18:25] Jacob's biggest reaffirmation in the last year
[1:19:29] Jacob's biggest life lesson
[1:22:21] Advice for other aspiring filmmakers
Links and Resources
- View Jacob's credits on IMDB
- View the trailer for Waking the Sleeping Giant: the Making of a Political Revolution
- Visit Jacob's website, www.jacobzsmith.com
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