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by Stephanie Elgin
He’s a 22-year-old graduate from Cal Arts who recently won the Jury Award at South by Southwest Film Festival and Conference in Austin, Texas for his film Thompson, a movie inspired by life and growing up in Valencia. Young filmmaker, Jason Tippet, has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for 17 years, attending Meadows Elementary, Placerita Junior High and Hart High School. In December, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Video from California Institute of the Arts, and his award winning film was just accepted into the Los Angeles Film Festival that will take place from June 18 through June 28.
élite took a moment to talk to Jason about his film and the success that followed.
élite: When did you get into filmmaking?
I became interested in film at College of the Canyons. I watched a documentary called American Movie by Chris Smith, which set the bar for films I wanted to make. He made personal films about people he knew. I began taking more film classes and started out by making portraits on super 8.
é: What inspired you to make this film?
Growing up in Valencia inspired me to make this film. Most of my films relate to living in Santa Clarita in one way or another. I wanted to make a film about what I knew. There were kids I grew up with that resembled Matt and Ryan, the characters in the movie. Taking apart lawnmower engines, riding go-peds down Lyons and stirring things up, they just got themselves into trouble early on, and didn’t fit in with most kids. Matt and Ryan are truly original though, and have a charisma about them that suggests they don’t care what other people think. I loved that about them, they weren’t trying to impress anyone. They are always themselves around whomever they meet.
é: Is there anything else you’d like to add about the film?
I’d like to thank Matt and Ryan for trusting me to film their lives. The boys being so open with me really made the film what it was. Most people are trying to be something they’re not and it’s refreshing to see two best friends being themselves. I know it was a difficult time for Ryan, mainly because he is so young and completely independent. But his positive outlook on things made him a pleasure to be around. We became very close and I truly wish the best for them both.
é: How did you feel when you won the SXSW award?
SXSW had an award ceremony the last night of the film festival. It was held in the Convention Center of Down Town Austin. All the filmmakers, distributors and programmers were invited. The Jury who selected the award winners would start by describing the film that won. As they began the award for Best Short, it slowly resembled the film that I made. When they called my name, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. All the months of hard work Elizabeth Mims (Producer) and myself put into making this the best film we could, paid off in that moment.
é: Are there any other films in the works? What’s your next step?
My next step is paying off my tab at Doc’s Inn (said with a smile), but recently, Thompson was accepted into The Los Angeles Film Festival. This will take place from June 18 through June 28.
I’ve also been collaborating with Elizabeth Mims on another film, called Latchkey Kids. We’ve been working on it for the last year. The film closely follows a girl attending Placerita Junior High. She deals with boys, alcohol, and having too much free time. We should be finished with this by August and have it ready for the festivals next year.
Best of luck at the L.A. Film Festival, Jason!
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