Film Studies with Jake R.

I am a professional filmmaker and filmmaking teacher. I graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelors of Art, double majoring in Film Studies and Media & Communication. I successfully completed a 6 month certificate program at Film and TV school of the Academy of Performing Arts, in Prague, Czech Republic. I am currently in my final year of master’s studies at Film Academy Ohrid (FIOFA), in Macedonia, where I am pursuing a degree in directing. My films have shown at film festivals in the United States, India, Russia, Australia and Macedonia. 

 Prior to moving to Macedonia to pursue my Masters degree in directing, I worked for 5 years in the New York City film industry, on the projects of well known directors including Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Jean-Marc Vallée, Rebecca Miller, Michael Showalter, Joseph Ruben and John Cameron Mitchell. I also worked as an editing room assistant for Academy Award Nominated editor, Andrew Mondshein and Emmy Award winning editor, Brian A. Kates.
 I teach filmmaking students of all different ages and experience levels. My goal is to enrich my students as visual storytellers by helping them realize their personal artistic visions. Every filmmaker has their own style and process; my aim is to help each individual to realize their strengths and build on them. Each filmmaker needs to create their own personalized winning strategy, and I’m here to help. 

I have worked as a script consultant for The Cinema School (TCS), the nation’s first film high school (formerly known as Ghetto Film School), in Bronx, New York. I have worked as the head documentary filmmaking instructor for HYPE - Healthy Youth Peer Education, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I have worked as a supervisor and mentor in facilitation of short fiction films by first time filmmakers in New York City. However, my passion is for teaching students individualized lessons.
 I look forward to meeting you and helping you make your filmmaking dreams come true!