Jess is an influential professional snowboarder and filmmaker who’s well-known for producing the breakthrough The Uninvited series of women’s snowboard films. More recently, she collaborated on a film project called Learning to Drown which explores the theme of facing our greatest fears.
Can you give us a quick bit of background about yourself?
I grew up in Vernon, BC. It’s a small town with a local hill just 15 minutes away. I started skiing when I was 3 years old and tried snowboarding at 14. I didn’t really like it until I found out that you can do tricks. Once I learned that, I was hooked.
How did you get into filmmaking?
I’ve always been drawn to it, starting when my parents first got a handycam when I was a kid. I would try to turn every school assignment into a video project and I was always filming things and making edits using 2 VCR’s. I took video production in high school and learned how to edit on a computer and really liked making little documentaries. I enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh. Of course, the main thing I wanted to film was snowboarding and skateboarding.
Can you tell us a little bit about the origin of The Uninvited films?
It was just a common theme back then for girls to get left out on shoots, filming trips or video projects. It was something I was still dealing with when I was at the peak of my career, and I was really worried about what would happen to the girls who were still trying to make it. So I bought a camera and put together a crew of the most talented up and comers. I wanted it to be a statement that if they wouldn’t let us in, we were just going to do it ourselves.
Can you talk a bit about the reception for the films?
The girls really understood what it meant. The riders, the audience, the fans, the moms. They all got it. The first one was pretty DIY; we didn’t have any budget besides my own savings so the production value wasn’t super high. But the talent was there and people took notice. Two of the girls went pro after the first film came out. For The Uninvited II and III, my sponsors stepped up financially to support us and that had a huge impact on the overall quality and feel of the films. I think it was perfect timing and was received really well. People freaked out. In a good way.
Can you tell us a bit about the origin of Learning to Drown?
I was at a really low point in my life after losing my partner. I have always had this huge fear of water, but was so overwhelmed with grief that I felt like I was already drowning anyways. One of his goals had been to drive down to Mexico to live on the beach in a camper and learn how to surf. So I just got a truck and camper and went down there by myself. I found that throwing myself into something that was absolutely terrifying to me, the ocean, helped distract me from the suffering I was feeling inside. I was so busy trying not to literally drown, that I could finally forget for a moment about losing Mark. I thought, maybe there’s something of value in my story that could help someone else who is going through a really tough time. So I pitched it to The North Face and they were like, “You’ve got something here, let’s really do this.”
What has the reception for Learning to Drown been like?
The reaction has been pretty incredible. I was definitely worried about opening up on that scale to so many people. But, I think it helped break down barriers before they even formed. I’ve had crazy deep conversations with complete strangers about my experiences. Our amazing editor and director, Ben Knight, really went all out on turning it into something so much bigger than I ever expected. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable. I never meant for it to be like, “Look at me!” I just wanted to help other people, who were suffering, feel like they weren’t alone.
How would you describe your filmmaking style?
Raw, open, honest. A lot of personality and humor. I want to make the viewer feel something, whether it’s lighting a fire in them through inspirational storytelling or making them laugh until they cry.
What’s your favorite part of the process?
Those moments of editing when I get into the flow state. Especially after having the filmmaker’s version of writer’s block for a period of time. I also love sitting in the back of a theater watching the audience’s reaction when all is said and done.
Can you tell us about how your background has influenced your work?
I think just being in lots of situations where I was treated badly by others…I want to make sure I don’t ever make anyone feel like what they’re doing doesn’t matter. I want everyone I work with on a project to feel like they are worthy of my time and that I’m giving it everything I have.
How would you say your work has evolved over time?
I would say it’s gotten more honest and open. I really believe vulnerability can be our biggest strength. It breaks down walls and takes us deeper into the human experience.
Where do you see your work headed in the future?
I want to help people tell their stories, so I could see my focus being on documentary filmmaking. I just want to make films that inspire people and get them fired up in their own lives.
Can you tell us about how the outdoors has influenced your work?
Being outdoors is where I feel the most like myself. It keeps feeding me life so I can keep creating.