READ MORE: 5 Observations About the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Lineup
Growing up in a rural town filled with violent delinquents, Jack has learned to do what it takes to survive, despite having an oblivious mother and no father. After his aunt falls ill and a younger cousin comes to stay with him, the hardened 15-year-old discovers the importance of friendship, family, and looking for happiness even in the most desolate of circumstances. [Synopsis Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival]
READ MORE: Meet the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Filmmakers
What’s your film about in 140 characters or less?
It’s about a scrappy teenager in a rough small town whose little cousin gets dumped on his doorstep for the weekend.
Now what’s it REALLY about?
For me, the film is a tough and tender boyhood fable about the first time you have to look after someone other than yourself. That’s ultimately what I think growing up is about — learning to care for others more than you care about yourself.
Tell us briefly about yourself.
I was born in Australia and moved to New York City as a kid. I still don’t think I’ve recovered from the shock of that. I work in Greenpoint with my creative family at Buffalo Picture House and am thrilled that we have made our first feature film together. I have a big family that I love to pieces, an unhealthy addiction to the English Premiere League, and I do not believe in running for the subway. You just were never meant to make that train.
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Biggest challenge in completing this film?
The biggest challenge we faced was finding our “Jack.” Everyone else in the cast was going to be built around him. We wanted a boy who was actually 14 or 15 because there is a mix of volatility and vulnerability at that age that is just written on someone’s face. We did a local casting upstate with hundreds of kids, scoured the city and even considered kids as far away as Texas and Maine. But in the end our amazing casting director Avy Kaufman finally found Charlie. I still remember first seeing his tape. He did something that you always hope an actor will do: he changed the role for me. He brought in something I hadn’t originally seen in the character and in an instant the film took on a new shape. It was really exciting and I know the film would not have been the same without him. I guess if there is a moral to the story it is find a terrific casting director and have a lot of patience.
What do you want the Tribeca audience to take away from your film?
Any films inspire you?
Two films I keep coming back to are the Dardenne Brother’s “The Son” and Shane Meadows’ “This is England.” There is something really raw and unadorned about the storytelling in both of those films. But my favorite film of all time is still “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
What’s next?
I have a handful of new scripts in the works. A few of them are set in New York, and one of them is set in France where I shot my last short film “Lolotte.”
What cameras did you shoot on?
RED Epic.
Did you crowdfund?
If so, via what platform. If not, why?
We did not crowd fund for “King Jack,” though we did have a plan for a campaign if it came down to it. We were very fortunate to be selected for the Sundance Producing Lab with our producer Gabrielle Nadig, which was just incredible. They really took our film under their wing and shepherded us through development and pre-production. With their help Gabrielle and our other producer Dominic Buchanan were able to rally a team of really wonderful Executive Producers who were also some of the most generous and supportive folks I’ve yet to come across.
Did you go to film school? If so, which one?
Indiewire invited Tribeca Film Festival directors to tell us about their films, including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and what they’re doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up to the 2015 festival. For profiles go HERE.
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