Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a cookie-cutter perfectionist town, and at age nine, I found my best friends – Spielberg, Mendes, and Kubrick.
After a lifetime of writing privately, my writing/directing career began on a turbulent plane – the pilot practically said a prayer over the intercom. That was the day I promised myself to make the most of each opportunity that came my way.
Growing up as a child actress in Los Angeles, I felt a certain lack of control over the projects I was in. I loved being a part of something bigger than myself, but I always knew I wanted to play a part in shaping the next generation’s entertainment industry by telling the stories of my choosing.
I’ve been creating content, producing, writing and directing professionally for the past ten years – with the goal of adding meaning to the world through my art. I’m just getting started and credit the beginning of my career to USC and NYFA.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To quote Theodore Roosevelt, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty”.
Pursuing a life dedicated to writing and directing comes with its challenges, but the most challenging of projects/films has yielded strength and resilience that makes anyone with a camera glued to their hand for the next film a warrior in their own right. We may not fight with swords but with powerful pens.
I recently completed a project, BACKLOG, heading to the festival circuit this Spring (if you’d like us to participate in your festival please contact us below). And the film nearly broke me – multiple times – in spirit, in faith. It is about the rape kit backlog, a +100,000 backlog of untested rape kits in the US.
I had blocked out my own assault – so I never realized I choreographed the assault from my memories. It wasn’t until filming the scene (a painstaking oner) that the memories began coming back clearly. I went home from set and laid by my dog for three hours, unable to move. Processed it. And went back to set the next day – because that is what our careers often demand from us.
And here is the thing – that scene has raised so much awareness for putting others in my shoes. That is my job as a director. Is it easy – no – it will never be easy.
Can it be one of the most important jobs on this planet? Absolutely. Directing will always be this sacred gift of conveying emotion to the public to inspire empathy and unity. Isn’t that we’re all here on this planet for? In a blink of an eye in the universe’s existence – we aren’t even a page – but it is up to us to find purpose and understanding of one another.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a writer/director and occasional Producer with a career in Network Television, Advertising, and Independent Film Production, often telling true stories of resilience.
My films have screened at over sixty film festivals and are currently distributed on Omeleto (‘Til We Meet Again) and Filum TV (“Ma Petite Fille”). For the past seven years, I have been completing my feature directorial debut, “Karma”, shot in France, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Israel and the United States. The project is currently in distribution talks abroad for a Summer 2023 release. In 2021, I was honored by the UNDP and Academie du Climat for my film, “For Them” advocating for youth awareness of forest fires. I have a keen interest in the business side of production and have interned at Mandalay Pictures with an internship this Spring at Circle of Confusion, LA’s top production and management company for directors, showrunners, writers and actors.
I’ve also had a 23 years career as an actress (Netflix’s “Small Shots”, TruTV’s “Laff Tracks”, Hulu’s “My Boyfriend is a Robot”) – and an editor recently edited “Provenance” (a Student-Emmy Nominee this year for the Pilot episode I Lead Edited), KTLA News segments, and many music videos – including “Addicted to the Fade”(Mia Rashap) and “Runaway Angels” (Karolina Rose).
However – directing is my home.
I have three upcoming projects and am currently seeking representation (see below for recent awards).
I’m the one person who didn’t seek out directing – it kind of found me. I lucked into a job – and found it’s the only thing in my life I’ve been naturally good at. I’ve had these extremely visual dreams since I was a child – incredibly lifelike. And when it comes to directing.- I see the entire film clearly laid out in my mind – shot for shot. I usually turn on a song that helps me relate to the character – and then I’m there with them. It’s surreal. My storyboards and drawing leave little to be admired though! Would compare it to a five-year-old Kindergartner – thank god for storyboard artists!
I’ve felt very fortunate that every film I’ve made is a replica of how I envisioned it in my mind – with the exception of my latest film – BACKLOG – where my editors (Ted Beck and Julia Quiceno), Production Designer (Joy Tan) and colorist (Stephen Derluguian) had such a clear understanding of the story and vision – that I allowed them to make the film their own, It’s working with people of this skill and caliber who can know when to take direction but also when to speak up that has been one of the highlights of my career. I guess the professionalism – getting to this level where people are the best at their craft has been a highlight. I also got to work with some of the best producers at USC (Robin Wang, Marian Cook, Joshua Powell and Aslan Dalgic) and that has been a career highlight thus far. We had almost 300 cast and crew – 10 SAG Actors – 11 locations – and my team pulled through so strong for us – on a student budget – Covid testing everyone – running a safe set. It was incredibly professional and a huge undertaking. Thank you to our Faculty Mentors Pablo Frasconi and Brenda Goodman for overseeing our film’s completion. And to my mentors: Nancy Forner, Jennifer Warren, Rebekah McKendry and Mike Fink.
Awards:
– 2022 Student Emmy Nomination, Television Academy (Provenance)
– 2022 John Huston Directing Award for Outstanding Directing (USC)
– 2022 Stowe Story Labs – Fiscally Sponsored Project (BACKLOG)
– 2021 United Nations Development Programme (Honoree, “For Them”)
– 2021 Academie du Climat (Honoree, “For Them”)
– 2021 GreenScreen Film Fest (Nominee, Best Film & Best Actress, “Til We Meet Again”)
– 2021 Pinewood Studios Mentorship Program (Finalist, “Til We Meet Again”)
How do you define success?
Living in the now. When you feel full – in home and work – when you are giving your 100%.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://backlogfilm.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backlogfilm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-elyse-rosenthal-2b76667a/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3918855/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
Image Credits
photos courtesy of: @ghinaamani @really_rielle @jaredsillo.ph
