Meet Jackson Stewart of Thunder Warrior Productions in West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Stewart.

Jackson, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona — moved out to LA in 2007 and worked a variety of jobs; post-production, script coverage, production assistant — up until I met Sage Stallone who gave me my first paid writing job. He founded Grindhouse releasing alongside Bob Murawski (Sam Raimi’s editor). Soon after, I worked for Stuart Gordon then jumped onto Supernatural where I got my first produced writing credit in the episode Frontierland. From there, I did various rewrite jobs and started making shorts up until I raised the financing, co-wrote and directed Beyond The Gates in 2016.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in life is a smooth road unless you are present and roll with the punches the universe throws your way. Running errands, going to the grocery store and taking a morning jog can be perilous challenges if you’re in the wrong mindset. The key to getting things accomplished is to keep pushing and refuse to lose. I have met a lot of people who decide everything and everyone is against them and they’re their own worst enemies. If you’ve got something to share with the world, make it happen no matter what.

All my struggles have been the same as other people, dead ends on financing here, scheduling issues there — all the stuff that happens to anyone in the film business. There’s a great Bruce Lee quote that goes something like “don’t wish for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.”

Please tell us about Thunder Warrior Productions.
I am a writer/director/producer. I specialize in directing my own project and very rarely have helped find financing on other people’s projects but that’s another story entirely.

It’s up to the public and the moviegoers to decide what sets me apart from others. I’ve got my point of view, tastes and goals — it’s ultimately up to everyone else to decide what they respond to or don’t. I make what I want to see and if people like it, that’s rad, if they don’t like it, that’s also cool. It’s nice to be talked about either way.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
The only regret I have is not getting an internship immediately after I moved here. There’s a lot to be learned at those jobs, but ultimately the current of life will beat you into submission and force you to do what you were put on this Earth for — so I guess it’s a matter of not being afraid to make mistakes and be willing to do something unique that you want to see.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mrjacksonstewart

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