Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Varley.
Hi Jess, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thanks so much for having me – been a fan of the magazine since it first launched! I grew up in Brooklyn and moved to LA after signing to an agency and working as an actor in commercials and TV throughout my time at LaGuardia High School and NYU Tisch. Despite a desire to work in film, my first foray in the industry out here was in the comedy world, developing original shows with networks including ABC & FX. As a huge fan of the classic Twilight Zone and genre greats like M. Night Shyamalan, and after working on a ton of film crews, I finally dove head-first into writing and directing. Here I discovered a whole new world of creativity where my background and experiences could be put to use. Working in the commercial horror/sci-fi space, I can use allegory as way to have conversations with audiences about what’s important to me and the world around us.
My most recent film Phobias, which I had the great fortune of also producing alongside the Radio Silence team (V/H/S, Ready or Not, Scream 5), was released by Vertical Entertainment earlier this year. My next film The Astronaut which I wrote and am directing is currently casting our lead role and I couldn’t be more excited!!
We appreciate the support and are excited for you as well – we hope The Astronaut is a grand success. So, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In my experience, I think there’s probably no such thing as a smooth road! Life always has its ups and downs, and finding balance in within that is a practice that helps with longevity… especially in the entertainment industry. I’ve learned over time that no two paths look the same, and you can really only compare yourself to your past self and measure progress that way. I had the absolute pleasure of working on a film with Elizabeth Mitchell, and she passed along a great piece of advice from her grandmother that she’d found to be true over the years: you can never really judge a situation and how it plays into your overall life experience until at least ten years later! Something that might feel like the end of the world now may turn out to be the biggest blessing of your life later (and the other way around). I think listening to your gut, embracing changing and adapting, and gravitating towards circles you feel supported by, allows for growth and exploration… which leads to the most fulfillment. I also think life experience is key for writers and directors – so go ahead and live life to the fullest (the highs, lows, and everything in between) so you can infuse it all into your art!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I’ve definitely found my home in writing and directing commercial horror/sci-fi genre movies, and love using the medium to explore meaningful allegories… I still always try to slip in moments of comedic relief here and there! I think one of my strengths as a director is always striving to create an ideal environment for the actors and crew to do their best work. I also think one of my superpowers is being a woman and creating movies that feel universal so anyone can connect with them – not just men! I really believe the world will continue to benefit tremendously from more dynamic female leads (written and directed by women) and that the social ripple effects can have deeper implications, making a global impact in terms of how women are viewed, treated, and the opportunities they can access. The fun thing about directing is that I get to work with experts in an array of fields I have interests in like music, design, costumes, etc.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think gratitude and an ability to pivot without becoming too attached to an idea of how things are going to play out are both keys. A lot of the film process requires quick ‘problem’ solving which often turns into the best happy accidents! Teamwork makes the dream work – and in my experience directors who understand this and value the time and talents of their crews ultimately make the best movies. Having worked on a number of film crews myself, I’ve seen first-hand how much morale bleeds into every fiber of a project. When everyone feels valued, they can enjoy the process and do their best work! I also love that a movie becomes more of itself as time progresses, a product of so many people lending their talents, and leaving their mark on it. I often think of the script like a giant block of marble that we all chip away at until in the end, a beautiful sculpture emerges with the help of everyone who works on the film.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess.varley/?hl=en
Image Credits
Vatche Karagozian
