V4 Visionary Highlight.5: Spike Jonze -- By Jake Chamelin

Through the first few installments in our Visionaries series, we've tried to shine a new light on individuals within film and art that have recently come into prominence. While historically the industry has not fully supported an individual who is well rounded in different media forms, the times are changing. Increasingly today, individuals who have a wide range of skills and talents, spread out over many different art forms, hold an advantage in getting ahead. This mastery of different positions on set, from an organizational, business, or creative standpoint, is both an inspiration and challenge for film students currently. As our world modernizes, film goes with it. No longer is a single skill the end all be all. Development of skills from all aspects of the filmmaking process is becoming paramount. 

Such an individual with eclectic tastes and skills is Spike Jonze. Jonze has recently been in the spotlight after his latest film, Her (2013) became a runaway hit and took home the 2014 Academy Award for best original screenplay. While Her is a delicate look into the loneliness of human existence in the not too distant future, Jonze’s body of work is vast and no less impressive. 

Spike Jonze, of course is the pseudonym used by Adam Spiegel, and is heir to a multi-billion dollar catalog business owned by his family. Jonze attended the San Francisco Art Institute, studying photography. From here Jonze embarked on a vast array of different projects. He worked as a photographer for Freestylin’ Magazine, while simultaneously fronting an international BMX club. Throughout the ‘90s Jonze directed many different videos from music videos for the Beastie Boys, Björk, and Weezer. Jonze also directed commercials for Lee Jeans, Wrangler, and IKEA. His first feature film, Being John Malkovich (1999) proved an incredible success. Jonze also was the co-creator and co producer of the Jackass TV series and movies.

Spike Jonze has undertook countless projects, over so many different types of media that it is truly difficult to imagine that the man has any free time at all. But this passion for art and entertainment is something that all must have, a burning drive for projects and seeing them carried through is something all young students and filmmakers can be inspired by. It is for this reason that Jonze is a Visionary worthy of inclusion in our series. His mastery of different art forms and entertainment may well signal a totally new industry, transforming before our very eyes. 

Written by Jacob Smith Chamelin

Web Content Writer

Visions Film Festival & Conference

Wilmington, NC