SCREEN BIO

Jess is a screenwriter, producer, director, actor, musician and poet based in Canberra.

 

As an artist she seeks truth by exploring the human experience to create stories that intrigue, celebrate and reveal life in a new way. Her professional background is in broadcast journalism, digital media and communications.

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Jess wrote, is directing and co-producing 30 minute supernatural thriller Animal, starring Karen Vickery, Isabelle Faure and Michael Sparks. Currently in post production, the film is also a proof of concept for anthology series Modern Myth.

 

2022 saw four of her projects funded for development: animated family comedy series Terry the Canary; family comedy feature Summer Camp; limited series VOC (drama); and feature film Leona (drama).

 

Her feature Unchained Melody was selected for the top ten in Screenworks ‘New Voices’ romantic comedy initiative and she was recently shortlisted for Screen Producers Australia 'Pitch on Demand' 2022.

 

She founded ‘Set Ready Film’ in 2021: an inclusive, accessible filmmaking workshop at Film Plus, which supports emerging screen practitioners to develop new work and find their people.

 

For the past 15 years Jess has worked in storytelling roles, collaborating with media professionals to share real-life stories and create content with reach. 

 

Her film work is grounded in years of live, news and factual content creation; seeking to capture the essence of the living moment. She seeks to share connection through truthful storytelling.

 

Jess is a member of the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG), Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and the Australian Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). 

 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism - Broadcast) from Charles Sturt University and recently completed a Directing Intensive with the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).

 

Jess lives in Canberra with her children and menagerie of weird pets.

 

Follow half hour short film Animal: 

FB: @animalfilmaus

Insta: @animalfilmaus

YouTube: @animalfilmaus

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IMDB: imdb.com/name/nm15546737/ 

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Education and training (screen / media)

• Bachelor of Arts (Communication: Journalism) | Charles Sturt University 

• Directing Intensive | Australian Film Television and Radio School (2020)

• Screen Canberra's Screen Pod: 2020 - 2023

• Tim Ferguson’s comedy writing masterclass

• Production courses with SPA and Ruby Entertainment

• Script Coordinating and Notetaking Workshop (Alli Parker)

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