Deep Dive Podcast Award-Winning Filmmaker Jake Cole
Ah, the serendipitous encounters that enrich a life spent observing the world through a certain lens – in my case, the captivating world of storytelling on film. After three decades spent in the editorial trenches, witnessing trends emerge and fade, and voices rise and fall, one develops a keen ear for authenticity. So, when a name like Jake Cole surfaced from the heartland, Cleveland, OH no less, it piqued my interest. Not another coastal wunderkind, but a genuine voice from the Midwest, a region often relegated to the backdrop, yet brimming with tales waiting to be told.
I recently had the good fortune of encountering award-winning filmmaker Jake Cole on the set of a music video production for the band How We Feel. In our conversation Cole was, to put it mildly, refreshing and quite personable. Here was a filmmaker whose journey wasn’t paved with silver spoons or Hollywood connections, but rather forged in the unassuming crucible of homemade “backyard horror videos” made with childhood friends. It’s always the unexpected origin stories, isn’t it? I find that it’s the candid beginnings that often lay the groundwork for the most compelling stories. This early fascination with editing, Cole confessed with a disarming candor, was the bedrock of his multifaceted career in visual storytelling. He even revealed that he decided to pursue filmmaking full-time after realizing he had “already mastered the hard part” – a pragmatism that seems deeply rooted in his Midwestern sensibility.
But life rarely follows a predictable pattern. Cole’s trajectory took a detour through the study of criminal justice. Two years spent immersed in the realities of police work, including sobering ride-alongs during the height of the heroin epidemic, proved to be a catalyst for him. He recounted the visceral impact of witnessing the human toll of this crisis, a turning point that led to a powerful realization: “I didn’t want to be a grizzled cop at 25”. Instead, he channeled his observations, his empathy, into his debut documentary, the aptly titled “Ground Zero: Akron,” a project dedicated to fostering resilience within a community grappling with a massive addiction crisis. It speaks to the transformative power of experience, the way life’s unexpected curves can steer us towards our truest callings?
“I tend to tailor things to the specific needs of each project”.
This early foray into documentary filmmaking wasn’t a one-off for Cole. It signaled a recurring motif in Cole’s body of work: a deep-seated desire to tell stories that matter, to illuminate the human condition and amplify voices that might otherwise remain unheard. Consider his documentary “Thank You, Theo,” a chronicle of an 80-year-old man in St. Kitts dedicated to the tireless work of saving sea turtles. As Cole eloquently put it, “these projects aren’t merely about capturing compelling visuals; they are about helping people tell their stories that really deserve to have their stories told”. One can’t help but draw parallels, as the source material subtly suggests, to the early documentary work of a Frederick Wiseman, albeit with a distinctly more empathetic lens. While both immerse themselves in specific communities, Cole’s focus seems less on detached observation and more on highlighting the inherent worth and compelling narratives of his subjects. What is it about these unsung heroes, these quiet champions, that draws such a dedicated storyteller?
But to paint Cole solely as a documentarian would be to miss the breadth of his creativity. His portfolio spans a diverse range, encompassing music videos (which is how we met Cole) and narrative projects. His style, ever-evolving, is often “tailored to the specific needs of each project”. For client work, a straightforward approach often suffices, but for his more personal, creative endeavors, a more cinematic aesthetic is his go-to, often employing anamorphic lenses to achieve that distinctly “movie” look. This adaptability, reminiscent of directors who effortlessly navigate between studio blockbusters and independent passion projects, speaks volumes about Cole’s versatility and his nuanced understanding of the visual language of film.
His approach to these creative projects is firmly rooted in communication and collaboration. Whether it’s crafting a music video for a local band (as I had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand) or developing a marketing campaign for a client, Cole emphasizes the paramount importance of setting clear expectations and ensuring that the final product resonates with all stakeholders without compromising his artistic integrity. “At the very end of it, it’s all about communication, and the reaction of the audience,” he emphasized during our conversation. This pragmatic yet artistically driven philosophy echoes the sentiment of seasoned filmmakers who understand that the most compelling work often emerges from a harmonious confluence of vision and logistical realities.
“It does worry me that people will start to rely heavily on things like AI and in the process might lose a bit of themselves…”
As anyone experienced behind the camera, the unpredictable nature of filmmaking often throws unforeseen challenges into the mix, and Cole’s experience with the 48-hour film challenge that he often practices with his team offers a fascinating glimpse into his resilience and his own problem-solving acumen. These high-pressure exercises, where a short film must be conceived, written, shot, and edited within a single weekend, serve as invaluable “stress tests” that reveal the collaborative spirit and adaptability of his crew. The fact that his team triumphed in the 2019 challenge, earning them a trip to Amsterdam, underscores their collective talent and highlights Cole’s leadership. What better way to hone one’s craft than to be thrown into the deep end of creative constraint.
Operating within the Cleveland and broader Midwest market presents a unique set of dynamics. Cole astutely observes that in a smaller pond, one can indeed be a “big fish,” affording a greater opportunity for impact within the local film community. He embraces this role, actively seeking to support other independent productions and foster a sense of community, embodying the wisdom that “rising tides raise all ships”, something often spoken amongst people, but rarely practiced. This dedication to community building sets him apart from a lot of filmmakers who are solely focused on individual advancement. While acknowledging the limitations of fewer large-scale opportunities compared to hubs like Atlanta or Los Angeles, Cole finds value in the chance for local work to truly shine. This regional focus and commitment to nurturing local talent resonate with the spirit of independent film movements that have flourished outside the traditional industry epicenters.
The advent of new tech like generative AI presents a complex and often debated landscape for creative industries, and Cole approaches it with a balanced perspective. While acknowledging the potential for AI to streamline certain aspects of production, such as image upscaling and editing, he cautions against over-reliance, emphasizing the enduring importance of the “human part” of creating. His concern that filmmakers might “lose a bit of themselves” by leaning too heavily on AI resonates with a broader conversation within the creative world. Cole’s commitment to ensuring his work feels genuine and reflects his own artistic input underscores his deep respect for the craft. In a world increasingly saturated with AI-generated content, this dedication to authentic artistic expression feels particularly vital. “It does worry me that people will start to rely heavily on things like that and in the process might lose a bit of themselves or their project,” he shared with a thoughtful pause. “Where do we draw the line between technical advancement and the irreplaceable touch of human creativity”?
Looking towards the horizon, Cole’s ambition extends beyond his current impressive repertoire. His enthusiasm for the prospect of creating an action musical, drawing inspiration from films like “Baby Driver” and his own lifelong passion for music, hints at a creative restlessness and a desire to push his boundaries. “I would love to do an action musical,” he exclaimed with excitement. Cole’s current project, Cuyahoga Kid, a film about a retired gunslinger returning to his hometown to fulfill his mother’s final wish only to fall victim to a ruthless gang is currently in the works. This ambition, coupled with his grounded approach to production and his commitment to community, suggests a filmmaker with both a compelling vision and the practical skills to bring ambitious projects to fruition. Imagine the energy, the synergy of high-octane action sequences intertwined with the emotional resonance of music.
When asked about his legacy, Cole’s response was refreshing and devoid of pretense: he wants to be remembered not just for a “good body of work,” but as someone who was “here to help” and contributed to uplifting his community. In an industry often characterized by ego and relentless self-promotion, this sentiment speaks volumes about his core values. He is someone who understands that the true measure of success lies not just in the accolades received, but in the positive impact one leaves behind. “I just want my legacy to be, you know, not just a good body of work, but I want people to know that I was here to help. I was here to help bring the community up. And along the way, we made some pretty cool shit”.
As audiences increasingly seek out authentic voices and stories rooted in genuine experience, Jake Cole stands as a compelling individual and hard worker. Keep an eye on this one; his story, both on and off screen, is uplifting and remarkably creative. And perhaps, just perhaps, we’ll all be tapping our feet to the rhythm of his action musical soon enough. Now, wouldn’t that be a story worth watching?
You can check out Jake Cole and his work by visiting his film his website at https://jakecolefilms.com