Jenna Mack, Producer And Filmmaker, Delves “In The Grey”
The way that one gets to meet people is to be willing to get out there and to be willing to network. It might be a little more challenging with COVID-19, but it certainly isn’t impossible. I was introduced to Jenna Mack, a producer and filmmaker who is moving and shaking, and we talked about her projects In The Grey, and Ghost Bike.
JC: Jenna, thank you for making the time for this interview. Can you share a little on your background, how you ended up in Hudson?
JM: After college I moved to Europe and spent 8 years there, part of which was spent in grad school studying the history of art. It was good being abroad and being in the outdoors, and when I came back to New York, I discovered the Hudson Valley through my brother.
JM: What did you do after returning to the U.S.?
JC: I became a producer on the Charlie Rose Show, where I was responsible for producing the cultural segments featuring renowned actors, directors, architects, and designers, which got me into the world of media. It was from that — and seeing from behind the curtain the power of media — that I felt I had something I could contribute, as a voice in different perspectives, which led to “In The Grey.”
JC: You have a short film titled "Ghost Bike." How did this project come about? Can you tell us about the story, and share some of the star-studded cast?
JM: I find myself to be one of the luckiest people to work with a very dear friend of mine, Charles Tolbert. Charles is an entertainment lawyer, and one of his clients approached us with the idea of producing his short film that he wrote, directed and acted in, and that was Mark Blane. Mark is an up and coming filmmaker who garnered a name for himself with his debut film “CUBBY”. We filmed in January, luckily before COVID and before everything shut down, and we were lucky enough to have Tamara Tunie and Mike Doyle star opposite. The film examines what we think we know, and the decisions we make based on those assumptions. The film is an allegory on truth and loss, when a mother meets a stranger, who may hold the key to solving her son’s untimely death.
JC: What are the 2021 plans for "Ghost Bike?"
JM: Right now, we are in post production, and will be submitting into the 2021 film festival season shortly. Then, we are hoping to eventually secure distribution for the film. This is our first film that we’re submitting to film festivals, and it feels a little like uncharted territory because the landscape has changed due to COVID-19. But we're very excited about the film, and feel strongly that with the subject matter it is very timely, and will certainly find an audience.
JC: You also have a remarkable pilot episode for the series “In The Grey.” Can you talk a little about your intention for this show? And why was this subject matter critical for the pilot?
JM: I should first start with explaining what "In The Grey" really is. It is an interview series that uncovers the layers of people and topics we think we know, by moving beyond a black or white perspective. The pilot episode focuses on transgender males. I say males, because we have two adult trans men, who transitioned as adults, and we have a trans boy, who transitioned with his family when he was 8 years old, and then he transitioned with his school when he was 10. We interviewed him when he was 12. This really opened my eyes to question my own assumptions purely based on what I physically see. So much of what we perceive as identity are physical attributes. What I learned from this interview is that who we are is really an expression of our energy, and soul.
From "In The Grey"
JC: What are your plans are for this show?
JM: I’m very excited to say that during COVID, I signed a co-production agreement with Icon Media, founded by Jay Shetty. It feels so great to have a partner that is truly aligned in the mission to create content for positive social impact. I would say it’s encouraging to work with a team who understands the purpose of “In The Grey.”
JC: A little about your life in Hudson in 2020: what has that been like?
JM: It’s been my permanent home, which I love. I moved here full time in March 2020, and it was definitely because of COVID-19. It’s been amazing to look at verdant green hills, as opposed to concrete. That has been a real gift, especially working in creative mediums. I guess I would say the biggest challenge has been connecting more with nature, and with finding snakes in the house, dodging wasps and hearing coyotes wailing in the night, which I now truly love. I realized how unnatural my previous existence in the city really was. The relationships you can build in a small town are founded in human decency, and you learn that here, whereas in the city, it’s kind of all behavior is acceptable.
JC: As a filmmaker, what are some of the core challenges you face?
JM: That’s a good question. I think the biggest challenge as a filmmaker and also as the producer and host of “In The Grey” is rising above the noise. We hear all the time that content is king, that everyone wants content, but Charles (my producing partner) and I want to support projects that a) we believe in; b) that speak to us on an intuitive level; and c) have a value to add to social commentary.
JC: Are there areas of vulnerability that you can share?
JM: I guess two things. Firstly, no one knows what you want to create better than yourself, and at the same time to be open to advice, and other people's opinions, but never to lose the core of what it is that you want to create. Second, to be patient, because it all takes time. Nothing is created in a vacuum or overnight.
JC: About you for a second. What do you feel that you’ve been able to personally accomplish?
JM: I would say for me, I’ve been proud of my commitment to not give up on my intentions for In “In The Grey.” The landscape has changed a lot, and I’ve had to rethink the strategy of who to speak to and network with, partly because a lot of the people I was initially speaking with were no longer with their companies, so I’ve had to be flexible in looking at different ways to get “In The Grey” landed. That has been very challenging, and I would always come to a place of, “this is of value,” and “I’m not willing to give up.” All of that eventually led to a co-production agreement with the right partner, which feels like a huge accomplishment, and yet at the same time, realizing that this is just the beginning of the next journey.
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