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Johnsonburg filmmaker making mark on big screen |
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
 By Greg ReedyJohnsonburg native Steve Jacobs is making quite an impression in the movie world.
He does not forget his roots in the process.
Currently, Jacobs is a producer/director and a part of StarGazer Filmworks, based in Florida. He moved to Florida when he was 19. His first feature-length screenplay was written on an old word processor with a 2-inch screen in 1996 with a friend. His first feature came in early 2006 with "e." He also directed "Anatomia," a winner of Best Local Short at the 2007 Miami Underground Film Festival and an official selection of the Palm Beach Film Festival.
"'Anatomia'" is my most unique film, for sure. It won Best Short at the Miami Underground Film Festival in 2007, which was a nice surprise," Jacobs said. "It’s a modern re-imagination of a centuries old story from Ancient Greece and it’s a silent film set to an operatic score. It was a pretty risky project and its success has been a great source of pride for us."
He also directed the critically acclaimed stage play, "A Love Lost Life" in the 2007 Orlando Fringe Festival. He also has directed "King 'n' Me" and "Wake." He was the producer, writer and D.P. of "un_light."
Jacobs said filmmaking is something he's always had a fascination for.
"It’s always something I was interested in, particularly once I came to Florida shortly after graduating high school. I began writing screenplays and studying the craft, which led me to eventually pursue filmmaking," Jacobs said. "I shot some no-budget amateur stuff back then and enjoyed the process. My wife is the one who really pressed me into doing it 'for real' years later because it’s something I talked about often and wasn’t taking action on. She told me I’d always regret not trying and that scared me into going for it. She was right, as always. Now she is my production partner and will soon be directing films herself."
While enjoying success in the film world, Jacobs said he treasures growing up in Johnsonburg.
"Growing up in Johnsonburg is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. My leaving for Florida was less about the community itself and was almost exclusively a selfish need to just find out what else was out there for me," Jacobs said. "It’s when I experienced life in different places that I began to realize how prepared and advanced my upbringing there had made me. My family, friends, teachers, even the town itself have made possible any success I’ve enjoyed in 'the big city.' I promise never to forget that."
Jacobs is currently focusing on the underground world and said he has not really taken his films into mainstream media. He also said he has not worked with any major celebrities.
"I haven’t taken that step yet. We’ve kept our projects underground so far and have enjoyed working with up-and-coming talent locally here in South Florida," Jacobs said. "One day I’m sure we’ll be involved with mainstream celebrities, but it’s been very rewarding working with the undiscovered, passionate people who have given so much of themselves to our projects."
Working with those types of people is one of the reasons why Jacobs likes what he does.
"The collaboration. So far I have written all of the projects that we’ve produced, so it’s been great to see my original ideas take on the different shapes with so many outside perspectives influencing the final work," Jacobs said.
"We’ve always taken each person's opinions as strong as our own, from the lead actor all the way down to the grip, and that ego-free environment has really created some unusual pieces to the big puzzle."
Jacobs' desire to be in Johnsonburg is evident and he said he wishes he could visit more than what he has been able to do over the past year.
"(I come back to visit) Not as much as I’d like to. It’s been over a year since my last visit," Jacobs said. "I am happy to say, however, that we will be relocating this year and making a return to Johnsonburg. Once we buy a house and get established, we plan to continue our independent productions in and around Elk County. I’m confident that with the support of the community, and the great local talent that’s around, our film productions will see a tremendous amount of growth and success. We can’t wait to get up there and get started."
Jacobs is the son of Rick Jacobs of Johnsonburg and Laurna Jacobs of St. Marys. Jacobs' film Web site is www.stargazerfilmworks.com.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )
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