This is the first of a new series entitled HIH Director’s Cut, featuring a talented director that’s a cut above the rest. YouTube and MySpace Video are just two places on the internet where talented directors are putting their independent work on display.

Jake Williams is one of these talented directors. He’s a cut above the majority and he’s an all around cool guy. Anyone who proudly states they like music by Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson is cool to me. He’s also a screenwriter with unique, funny, and well done work. Like most good director’s he’s a storyteller. Photos of Jake Williams by Randy Conatser.

I asked Jake one question and here it is:

HIH: What are you trying to do as a filmmaker?

Jake: What am I trying to do as a filmmaker?

The main thing I want to do is make entertaining independent film. I use the word entertaining specifically, because often times independent film is dark, moody, pretentious, and completely inaccessible for most viewers. I respect filmmakers from every genre, but I am not in the business of alienating audiences. I want everyone to be entertained and to get away from it all for an hour and a half. Who wants to be depressed on their way home from the multiplex?

I love comedy, I’m not saying I’m funny, but I enjoy smart humor with the occasional pratfall. Again I feel there is comedy out there that goes for the lowest common denominator and is widely accepted because it’s easy. To me comedy should not only make you laugh, but also make you think… just a little. That is what I try to do every time I get behind the camera.

Story is everything, I’ve been lucky enough to teach some screenwriting classes while seeking my Master’s degree and I constantly tell those students that without a story a film is pointless. This mission statement of sorts, is the primary reason my wife and I started Storiented Entertainment. We want to tell narrative stories across mediums. TV, film, internet, it doesn’t matter. To us, all successful media has a strong story at its core.

This may be the longest answer to a question ever, but I’ll end with this. I think filmmaking is on the verge of something huge. Making movies is easier than ever before and while that means there may be more junk out there, there will be opportunities for great stories to be told. We just want to be a part of it.

To find out more about Jake Williams visit his MySpace Film profile http://www.myspace.com/jakeaaronwilliams

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