Jacob Kessler Email & Phone Number

Iowa City, IA, US

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Instructing courses in film and video production and supporting the Department of Cinematic Arts through various service roles.

Riga, Latvia

Researched experimental 16mm filmmaking processes in collaboration with members of artist-run film lab. Conducted public artist-talk held solo screening of past and present film work.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Taught “Introduction to Film” surveying theories and histories of cinema and “Introduction to Digital Film” covering cinematography and editing for non-fiction media.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Led youth employment programs training Chicago Public School students in video production and media literacy in order to produce short documentaries covering community issues.

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Instructed labs for undergraduate film courses covering digital cinematography, studio lighting, sound recording, nonlinear editing, and color correction through lectures, exercises, and one-on-one meetings.

New York, New York, United States

Documented musician's residency program hosting a wide range of prolific artists by conducting interviews, shooting day-to-day progress, and editing footage on into short documentaries on the artists' culminating projects.

New York, New York, United States

Provided administrative and creative support to the organization and its CEO (a prominent financial analyst, philanthropist, and Grammy-nominated musician) in the development and post-production of documentary film and video content.

Morris County, New Jersey, United States

• Wrote scripts/copy to communicate details of new health-tech device and demonstrate the urgency of its use
• Produced on-location commercial shoots for proof of concept, combining dramatic and documentary elements
• Edited footage on Premiere into succinct, fast-paced advertisements to attract new clients and investors

New York, New York, United States

• Edited documentary video content to promote Greenwich House Music School's nonprofit Uncharted Concert Series
• Sifted through large volume documentary archives spanning multiple years to source the most commercially viable clips
• Worked closely with Greenwich House's Programs and Development staff to ensure that video content met organizational brand standards

Brooklyn, New York, United States

• Transcribed dialog in Combined Dialogue and Spotting Lists and edited scripts for Netflix docuseries The Innocence Files and High on the Hog
• Completed coverage on festival screenings for acquisition consideration
• Conducted pre-interview research to brief interviewer for upcoming documentary feature
• Reformatted and logged location, materials and appearance release forms and contact lists to meet needs of new projects
• Researched and selected archival materials for… Show more
• Researched and selected archival materials for post-production team of High on the Hog Show less

New York, New York, United States

• Developed concepts, wrote treatments, and prepared pitch decks for docuseries, reality TV shows, and public service campaigns in collaboration with producers for clients including Planned Parenthood, the National.
• Navigated databases and selected archival footage to be included in feature documentaries
• Created and updated expense reports and scheduled production meetings for producers
• Conducted research on the history… Show more
• Conducted research on the history of cancer immunology for director Ross Kauffman’s upcoming documentary Trial By Fire, creating comprehensive timelines with supplementary archival material for editors to reference in.

Queens, New York, United States

• Not Black Enough (2020, Dir. Jermaine Manigault)
• Managed 40-person cast and crew for on-location and studio shoots, acting as liaison between departments
• Created and distributed daily call sheets and oversaw movements of talent in accordance to schedule
• Ensured timely scene execution by strategically allotting time and flexibly adjusting based on daily outcomes

New York, New York, United States

• Recruited freelance talent and crew members for Spirited Awards Show
• Addressed client phone inquiries efficiently to provide project updates and connections to respective producers
• Reviewed rough cuts of films before festival submission
• Conducted theatre outreach for distribution of director Robert Greene's Bisbee '17
• Performed ad hoc tasks as Production Assistant on documentary and commercial shoots

New York, New York, United States

• Conducted pre-production research on rare art form topics and guests for online docuseries
• Coordinated logistics with prop vendors and catering services
• Organized and synced sound for footage in Adobe Premiere
• Maintained organization of equipment on soundstage in collaboration with the studio manager

Master Of Fine Arts - Mfa, Documentary Media & Certificate, Critical Theory, 3.97

Certificate, Filmmaking

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Philosophy And Religious Studies, English Language And Literature, Magna Cum Laude

Minor: Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies