Jake Scott's Sundance 2010 Guest Blog #1

Editor's Note: Last week we were approached by a filmmaker who wanted to guest blog his Sundance experience on /Film. You might not know 42-year-old director Jake Scott yet, but you will. You definitely know his father Ridley, the filmmaker behind such films as Alien, Gladiator, and Blade Runner (Jake worked in the editing room during the school holidays). Chances are, you've probably never seen Jake's directorial debut was a 1999 British historical action comedy titled Plunkett & Macleane,. But you've probably seen his work on the small screen, MTV to be exact. He's directed iconic videos for REM's Everybody Hurts, Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees, The Cranberries' When You're Gone, as well as videos for Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, Live, Blind Melon, Tori Amos, Lily Allen, The Strokes, The Verve, and U2.

Jake's second feature film, Welcome to the Rileys premieres in Sundance's US Dramatic competition, 1 of only 16 films which were selected from 1,058 submissions. Written by Ken Hixon (who has written City by the Sea and Inventing the Abbotts), the story follows a damaged man on a business trip to New Orleans who is seeking salvation by caring for a wayward young woman. The movie stars James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, and Melissa Leo. You can read Jake's first blog post after the jump:

Sundance 2010. Wicked vibe, cinematic rebellion is this year's theme & it shows. My film Welcome to the Riley's is premiering as I type. Too terrified to watch it so sat down with a beer to tell you what's up.

First of all, I saw 4 short films the first night that blew me away. Spike Jonze's "I'm Here", Logorama by two French geezers Francois & Herve, The Fence by Rory Kennedy & Seeds of the Fall by Patrick Eklund. GENIUS.

We all know Spike is anyway but he might've out geniused himself with this one. Logorama is the maddest ride through a world made entirely of corporate logos, brilliant. The Fence is a doc about the fence Bush & his administration built to keep Mexico out, incredible. And Seeds of the Fall is a hilarious look at middle aged sex. Then another short called Renegades directed by Jim Hosking, Kentish Town posse! Really bizarre funny twisted madness. Joe the lead is hysterical.

Before the program began, Robert Redford riffed on the importance of the short film format; a tool for filmmakers to experiment with technique and storytelling.  I recently directed a short film for Phillips that is part of a film project  I participated in.  The experience was inspiring, you can follow more about that here. But the real point is, everyone, all of you can do it. So do.

Anyway, the snow's deep & fluffy, snowboarding heaven. This really is how a film festival is supposed to be. I'll be back for an update on Monday. Check out the pics of Francois, Herve, Jim and Joe. Soos (my cinematographer) and Carlos, editor & record producer, Brooklyn prince. Filmmakers all. Handsome aren't they?

That's me in the panoramic shot. Hello.

Irie

Jakex