Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Cook.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Fast forward, I attended the film program at Pennsylvania State University where I tried different crew positions such as director, writer, production assistant, etc. Ultimately, I fell in love with being a producer. Producers are the glue that brings everything together. During my senior year, I was lucky to produce two films now in festival runs. I ensured the cast and crew were treated well from pre-production to post-production. I enjoyed helping people out as if I was a mother. I learned a lot about the craft; the most important lesson I learned is networking. Networking has helped me get many opportunities, such as working on a Skittles commercial. I was the production coordinator and was happy to help as much as possible. I still talk to the people I met on set to this day. Unfortunately, I neglected photography in college due to thinking I was untalented. I’m in the post-grad era, which has been a difficult situation. After feeling heartbroken for a long time, I decided to go back into photography. I decided to balance photography and filmmaking to be creative as much as possible. It’s what I enjoy in my life right now. I’m staying in Saint Augustine/Jacksonville, FL, to reset my life and meet creative people in my hometown.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish it were a smooth road, but I needed some failures to get to where I am now. I am struggling to figure out my life, but who isn’t? Feeling untalented was one thing that brought me down. I wouldn’t pick up a camera or write a script. I thought no one would ever want to see my work, so why bother trying? I did have to suck it up because I knew it would make me feel better. A lot of my craft comes from my heart.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a filmmaker and photographer who is from Saint Augustine/Jacksonville, FL. However, I like to travel as well. For filmmaking, I specialize in producing, but I can do other areas such as assistant directing, writing, DP, etc. For photography, I am diverse and don’t like to stick to one area of photography. There can be a lot of art in it that I can’t just do one. I am most proud of my award-winning experimental film Sunflower. That film came from my heart, and I believe it’s one of the best things I have ever done. I’m also proud of my producing work for the comedy film The Adventures of Iron Whaler and The Modern Mollusk.
“I am not like other girls.” Sorry cliche, haha. I think I’m different from others by being diverse in my craft. I am not afraid to work on a project out of my comfort zone and try something new. I get bored if I stick to one thing, so I might as well change. Another thing that is different about me is that I like to expand my craft to different states. There are many people in this world I would love to meet and collaborate with.
How do you define success?
Whatever I worked hard on, I define it successful. If I have goals I’ve accomplished, then I define that successful.
Pricing:
- Regular Sessions – Package 1: $130, Package 2: $180, Package 3: $300
- Mini Session – $80
- Videography (Video) – $260/Day
- Videography (Edit) – $260/Day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicacookcreative.weebly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookie.creatives/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookie.creatives/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgYvIxX6OkidKv8BlEBjmJw
Image Credits
Personal Photo taken by Noah Mastoridis Disposable Wall taken by Abby Tarpey Man with shovel taken by Jake Moore Iron Whaler Poster created by Ava Wendelken All other images by Jessica Cook
