Who is Jason Jeffrey?
I’m a guy who’s trying to find his footing in the film industry. I was born in Edmonton. I grew up playing hockey like a true Canadian kid, and my childhood dream was to play in the NHL. My dad is a cinematographer so I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time on film sets, too. Then in high school I played in a punk rock band in Mississauga.
In your own words, what is ‘A Teachable Moment’?
A short story that gets in, packs a quick punch, and then gets out.
What inspired the concept for ‘A Teachable Moment’?
When I was a kid, I was told I was a real pain in the ass. My mom always tells me stories about the crazy things I’d get into. I don’t know how she got a handle on me… A Teachable Moment is taking that narrative to an extreme. A young mother actually uses this low life criminal’s final moments as a teachable lesson for her little boy, who she’s at wits end with.
Where do you foresee the film going? What do you hope to accomplish?
I’d like for it to play at key film festivals and then for it to find a life afterwards, whether it be online or on other short film platforms. For me this film is about trying to gain exposure. For people to see that I can make something good. And then hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to make a feature.
What (if any) were the challenges of shooting?
Shooting went really smooth. We didn’t have any crazy mishaps on set. Things went off without a hitch, which was great. We had fantastic talent, crew and everyone really came together and did a great job.
What have you learned from this process?
We made this movie for very little money. And the ultimate goal was to get into a major film festival with it. In fact, we had to rush to get through post production in time for the Tribeca deadline. And when you submit to a festival like Tribeca, you don’t actually think you’ll get in. I mean, you hope you will, but the chances are so slim… This process has taught me that it’s possible to have a hefty goal and then actually achieve it.
Do you have any advice for novice filmmakers?
Honestly, you have to keep working away- keep pounding on that door, and if it doesn’t open, kick it in… It sounds cliche, but it’s true. Filmmaking is a craft and you have to put in a lot of time to get results. There’s that “ it takes 10 000 hours to get good at something” theory. You have to work really hard, but you have to work really hard at the right things. Realize what it is that you want to do and then go full steam ahead. You have to work with a purpose. It can’t be aimless.
Are there any other projects you’re working on that you’d like to share/talk about?
I’ve just finished writing a new feature film script. I’m hoping to drum up interest for it over the next little while. It’s a bit different of a direction than “A Teachable Moment”. It’s about the continued divide between socially liberal and socially conservative values in the western world.
If you could scream 1 thing out to the world, what would it be?
Let’s go Blue Jays!
Connect With This Film:
https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/teachable-moment-2016
Cast & Credits
Director: Jason Jeffrey
Screenwriter: Jason Jeffrey
Producer: Kristy Neville
Editor: Jason Jeffrey
Cinematographer: James Jeffrey
Executive Producer: Jason Jeffrey, Grace Glowicki, James Jeffrey, Matt Code
Composer: Ben Fox
Cast: Ash Catherwood, Grace Glowicki, Ethan Tavares