Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Roach.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Jess, I’m 31 years old, and I grew up in a small town roughly 20 miles south of historic Woodstock, New York. After high school, I joined the United States Navy, where I spent four transformative years stationed in Newport News, Virginia, aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Throughout my enlistment, I learned different skills within Weapons Department and often stood watch as the ship’s duty armorer. In 2016, I honorably discharged from the military and decided to move further south for education. In the Fall of 2017, I enrolled in my first of many quarters at the Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue a degree in filmmaking. In undergrad I primarily focused on producing and writing because I found myself to be a well organized individual who was fascinated in the concept of turning words on a paper into an emotional experience on the silver screen. I finished my bachelor’s degree with a double minor in 2021, and immediately enrolled in SCAD’s graduate program. During my master’s program, I’ve refined my filmmaking creativity, sparked an interest in shot design and fell in love with the art of directing. For my thesis, I researched the perspective of military films through the lens of American cinema, and wrote and directed Bravo Zulu, a short film that explores themes of generational expectations and post-traumatic stress disorder. Right now, I am currently working locally while Bravo Zulu is in festival rotation, and await commencement on June 1st, where I will receive my terminal, Master of Fine Arts degree for Film and Television.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been some challenges I’ve faced along the way. For one, the military itself is a challenge. Trying to fit in while enlisted in one of the most male-dominated careers is a struggle for most women. I remember wanting to leave bootcamp within the first week because I thought I made a mistake. Little did I know, the military was the best decision I ever made. It allowed me to pursue an education after. I still say to this day, if I didn’t join the military, I wouldn’t. have went to SCAD, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. However, my last few years at SCAD weren’t peachy either. After the first year of the MFA program, each student goes under a review with three faculty members who decide if the student is eligible to become a graduate candidate to continue the second and final year of grad school. When I went under review in May 2022, I didn’t pass and I was devastated. In that moment, I thought the last four years I spent in film school was for nothing and I was a terrible filmmaker. The actual reason they failed me was because I didn’t give them any evidence to justify that I was able to broadcast my MFA degree as a director. Since my portfolio from undergrad was made of producing credits, and not directing, they suggesting I take time to direct more projects and I did. I took a year off and worked on a few different projects, got hired on a local Apple TV show and gathered a new directing portfolio together for a second review; this one I passed. Without that year of absence, I wouldn’t have pursued the same filmmaking style or learned the same lessons I’ve learned in the last year.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an independent filmmaker, who specializes in various elements of filmmaking including preproduction, principle photography and editing. I’m known for my personality and charismatic attitude on set and enjoy collaborating with other passionate filmmakers. I am most proud for having a likable reputation within my community, as well as the hard dedication to my thesis project this past year. I think what sets me apart from others is the combination of my military background and priding New York attitude. I bring a lot of different ideas and experience to my projects.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
In the past few months, I read two memoirs that impacted my perspective about the industry. Both Jennette McCurdy and Matthew Perry’s memoirs from 2022 discuss their struggles behind the camera in their personal lives as young, successful actors. These are two actors I admired growing up and constantly watched on television. Listening to their voices read the words on the audiobook sent goosebumps up my spine. Their stories taught me to never forget where I came from, but also to not let the past weigh down my present or future. Another resource is that I tend to rewatch my favorite shows or movies to remind myself of the characters I fell in love with before, during, and after studying film. It allows me to rewatch the same beloved characters go through downfalls and triumphs, and it reminds me of the stepping stones into creating emotional character arcs and intriguing storylines.
Contact Info:
- Website: jessicaroach.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jess_roach
- Other: vimeo.com/jessroach
