Today we’d like to introduce you to Desmond Jackson.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m an African American filmmaker originally hailing from Dallas, Texas. While I love film and TV, I am also a huge Japanese anime/manga enthusiast. In 2015, I graduated with a BA in film studies and production from Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. While a student there I produced several films including Hungry, which was awarded the Best Short Film award at the 2015 Oktober Film Festival, and Rose Donohue, a 1950’s Stripper murder mystery that has been lauded for its art direction. I also wrote and directed my senior thesis film Funk Force which made it’s festival rounds in 2018-2019 and is now on Amazon Prime, AfroLandTV, and KweliTV, all which can be checked out on this link: https://linktr.ee/FunkForceFilm
After graduating, I stayed in New York and worked in the industry for several years in various roles. My first job was as a content security shift leader on the Marvel Netflix shows Daredevil and Luke Cage. I eventually shifted from being on set to an office environment as a program operations coordinator for the SundanceTV channel at AMC Networks. This role allowed me to transition to the role of a production coordinator on a small reality show Kill Rob Bailey.
In 2018, I moved to Los Angeles to attend grad school at Chapman University where after one semester, I switched from film producing to film directing. Since my time at Chapman, I’ve amassed six internships at reputable companies including Fox Searchlight, FX Networks, and Lionsgate. In 2019, I achieved a fellowship with Blackhouse at the Sundance film festival. Additionally, that summer I became a member of the Academy Gold program where I was fortunate to gain hands-on knowledge about the industry while speaking one-on-one with filmmaking professionals. The program has opened me to a lot of opportunities including getting certified as a story analyst with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
Most recently, I just received a grant from the Charley film production company to make a One minute film and my first horror short film Wolves that I directed at Chapman was recently accepted into the Chain NYC film festivals.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I first got to Los Angeles it was really difficult finding what type of opportunities were available for a graduate student. I thought I could work part-time in the entertainment industry while attending school but I learned the hard way that wasn’t possible. However, I discovered participating in internships were a great way to learn more about script development and earn additional income. My first semester at Chapman I actually did two internships, along with a full course load that required me to produce an intense short film involving a rabbit and a child actor so I was very stressed and actually suffered from burnout afterward. Traveling between Santa Monica, Studio City, and Orange County during the week, sometimes in one day, really drained me, to the point where I would take short naps in my car just to get a bit of rest. It’s fair to say I try not to drive as much anymore, especially with COVID-19 still being prominent.
Also, it was difficult making new friends and finding a good professional support system when I first moved to LA since I was leaving behind a lot of connections I made in New York. However, I think congregating with my fellow interns in conjunction with the Academy Gold program really helped introduce me to film-related individuals who I want to grow with professionally and personally. It’s all about lifting as you climb and as much as I have gained from my internships and the Gold program, and I hope to give back tenfold. A lot of people have helped me get to where I am currently and have helped me navigate LA and grow as a creator so I am always open to helping others.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
With my films, I aim to unite, inspire, and leave audiences with a nuanced understanding of the African diaspora. What makes me stand out from other filmmakers is that I always seek to research the subject matter of the films I delve into. For instance, I am really new to the horror genre and my short film Wolves that I directed had a separate writer who incorporated the mythos of werewolves from Haitian culture. Initially, when I read the script I didn’t know much about the subject so I had to dig up information to understand how that myth developed and suggested some script changes that fit within the research while modernizing the film. I think analyzing the feature films Get Out and Us also helped me nail the jump scares in Wolves.
Growing up, I avidly watched anime such as Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Bleach, so the stylistic elements of Japanese anime such as split-screen editing, whip-pans, and evocative fight sequences are always in my mind when creating live-action films. Additionally, I believe action anime narratives are driven by a strong theme to believe in one’s self. This aspect of self-determination is something I hope to incorporate in my African-centered plotlines. Ultimately, I actively seek to bridge the gap between the style of Japanese anime and live-action films that I feel Hollywood has really missed the mark on.
In the future, I aim to be a filmmaker with my own production company that will allow me to write and direct feature films and television shows. In the next two years once I leave Chapman, I am hoping I will be able to direct a horror feature I am currently writing that deals with mental health issues in African communities.
Also, I am in the midst of transitioning as a freelance producer and script analyzer. So I’m currently open to reading scripts and giving feedback through Fiverr. https://www.fiverr.com/djscripts
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have taken a chance on myself to build my own brand sooner. I have definitely struggled with self-promotion of my films and creative endeavors so I wish I had utilized social media more effectively to do that earlier in my career.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkforcefilm/
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