“My name is Jacob Jempson and I’m an aspiring director of film. I’ve taken and will continue to take every opportunity to direct and learn.” – Jacob Jempson, University Film-making Student
I aspire to become a director of film.
I have high functioning autism with the positives of having a different outlook of the world, a dedication to self-learn, an intelligence that applies well to study and courses and a passion for my obsession of film and media. Struggles that are typical of ASD include sleep issues and mental health so I have to be constantly checking in with myself to remain productive and effective.
I have explored all the different roles of filmmaking, even acting! Directing is where my passion lies.
I am able to work solo but I relish team work and being part of a group striving for success. I get on well with people and love learning where their skill sets lie so they can be employed best within the production team.
I love directing and my hero is Stanley Kubrick.
My name is Jacob Jempson and I’m an aspiring director of film. I’ve taken and will continue to take every opportunity to direct and learn.
Contact info:
Phone number: 07368 902757
Email: jacobjempson@gmail.com
Due to my high functioning autism, formerly known as Asperger Syndrome, I have a LOT going on in my head. I have such a passion for becoming a director of film, that this is almost my autistic obsession – meaning I can’t ever switch off from the career I strive for and love.
My autistic brain helps me to see the world differently and I use this to record my ideas. I have over 50 ideas for films already! I also relish the extra work I put in – one such personal project is using graphic novels to interpret and analyse directorial shots and camera angles. I always try to extend my thinking so anything, like a lecture, is transformed in my head into a movie scene where I have come up with shot angles and film techniques etc.
My Father is my rock – the one that I turn to for good days and bad. He inspires to become the best I can be and is always there to offer support. We have had our share of struggles over the years, but these have made us a close knit family unit.
My family is hugely important to me. We have had our struggles over the years, but this has made us into a tight knit unit that is there for each other.
My brother has an amazing medical story that tested the strength and resilience of my family. Years of aggressive seizures had us all on high alert all the time. Brain surgery to remove tumours, consequent skull infection, craniectomy, 11 months without a section of skull, surgery to place a titanium plate. I had to grow up quickly to be the support figure that my parents and brother needed.
I had a happy childhood but it came with my diagnosis of ASD. This made life difficult and resulted in me being eventually home schooled. Learning at home requires extra input and focus – it was a lot of hard work but I was able to achieve my GCSE’s (grades 8 and 9) and get into college, and now University. My Mother taught me and my brother and did an amazing job preparing the curriculum and extending our knowledge. My Father was the best “headmaster” making sure that we were always exploring the marks we had dropped in order to do better the next time!
Sometimes I am involved in a project that doesn’t go to plan! This leaves me with dissatisfaction about the finished product, but these are the times when I probably learn the most!
This college project was one such disaster where time constraints, among other things, played havoc with our production. There was little that could be done in the editing room to salvage anything decent!
I enjoy exploring photography tricks that I can transpose to film making.
I love the way the sun be captured with the shadows. Lighting is a key part of film making and it fascinates me.
Framing my shots.
Taking photographs from different angles is good practise for directorial shots.-1
I love to take photos to capture interesting or amazing moments.
You can’t beat the sky at dusk.
Lots of things around me grab my interest.
The rule of three!
The clarity of a shot is as important!
Framing my shots.
The rule of three!
I am autistic (high functioning) and have dreamed of directing since I was young. Since then, I have written down over 50 different ideas and concepts to varying levels of detail – and I will do whatever it takes to direct and create as many of them as possible and to as high a quality as possible.
Showreel
2022-23 Academic Progress Showreel
To celebrate the end of our first year on the course, we all were tasked with making our own individual showreels that show off the challenges and creations we’ve overcome and produced. This here is a collection of most of my best work from the last year. It’s been an amazing year and I look forward to my future challenges. Thank you to everyone who’s helped me thus far and moving forward.
Showreel
Achievements and other non-media roles
During the course of my time at the college, I have put myself forward for numerous extra roles and experiences. I’ll use this space here for reporting on any extra roles or achievements I get chosen for.
During the beginning of the first year, I put myself forward for the role of student governor. This has been an endlessly fascinating role which has given me great insights into a behind-the-scenes for running an organization – an invaluable skill for someone aiming for a directorial role. I’ve been signed on to continue this role into my second and final year at the college and will continue to learn new information and skills as I proceed.
I won the Milton Keynes College Summer Showcase “Star Of The Future” award near the end of my first year. This was a moment of immense happiness for me and has motivated me to continue giving my all to this course and all future endeavours.
WORK 05 – Music Video
My Favorite Early Work
For further details on this project, look to the “Pre-Winter” section for a more detailed overview, pre-production, and my personal evaluation. I thought I’d place this in my home page as I find it to be my personally most favored creation from the first term and believe first impressions to be important.
FMP (Final Major Project) – Short Film “Ruin”
Year 1 Final Major Project
For further details on this project, look to the “Year 1 Final Major Project” for a detailed evaluation and details on the project’s pre-production. My overall opinion on the project is mixed, though the people I’ve shown it to have enjoyed it (and I am a rather harsh critic on my own work). This is the project I’ve learned the most from thus far and look forward to seeing what I can make moving forward.