JACOB SUTTON
2-D creator Jacob Sutton captures moments of humanity. Inspired by music and films with vibrant aesthetics, Jacob’s work reflects the identity of whoever is in front of the camera.
“My motto is: I don’t make films or movies, I want experiences. Experiences that the audience can feel as if it was a memory in their own mind.”
Basement: What inspires your work?
Jacob: First and for most, the works of some of my favorite filmmakers will forever be my inspiration and motivation. These filmmakers include Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Joe Talbot (The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Matthieu Kassovitz (La Haine), and Spike Lee (Do The Right Thing). Their ability to capture the human experience during the lens of cinema is incredible. To one day even be half as good has them would be such a win.
Other than filmmakers, music is a big element in my inspiration. While writing and conceptualizing project, music is always going. Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Parliament/Funkadelic, Khurangbin, Solange, various 90s hip-hop/R&B, and of course – lots of Tyler, the Creator.
Basement: What narratives do you hope come across in your work?
Jacob: While I leave a lot of my work open to the interpretation of the audience, I simply hope when people view my work, they see bits of themselves. For example, when I made my film “SF”, I wanted to capture the city as it was in the exact moment. I wanted the audience to feel completely immersed in the city – its culture and its people. My motto is: I don’t make films or movies, I want experiences. Experiences that the audience can feel as if it was a memory in their own mind.
Basement: How did you get your start as an artist? What drew you to 2-D media?
Jacob: From a young age, I developed a keen interest to filmmaking. It wasn’t really until I got my first DSLR that I started talking that interest seriously. I mostly took pictures my first few years owning that camera. Lots and lots are pictures. Thus, began my journey as a photographer. I loved being able to capture these little moments of time. Genuine smiles. Beautiful landscapes. People just being people. It was almost like shooting a movie, ya know. Although, photography allowed me to have freedom where filmmaking didn’t. It was simple. Sometimes when I’m in a creative block or having trouble brainstorming a film project, I take pictures of my friends, family, girlfriend, or even just strangers around the city. It’s a like breath of fresh air and it reminds him of where I started.
Basement: What does your creative process look like?
Jacob: Ideas always come to me at the most random and unpredictable times but once I have that idea, it’s pretty much a done deal. I HAVE to make the vision in my head come to life or it will absolutely drive me insane. I always rush to my film journal and write down the idea before it’s gone. Along with the idea, I write any words I feel relate to the idea. If you saw my journal, you’d probably be so confused. After that, I like to hit Pinterest and make a board of pictures, art, and really anything that helps not only myself see the vison but my future cast and crew. Look books and vison boards have been so helpful, and it ensures that everyone I’m working with is on the same page. When it comes to shooting, I personally love shooting my own work. It makes me feel so much more connected to the project I’m working on and it allows me to execute my vision exactly the way I want.
Basement: Your film “Chicago, Through Movement” struck me as a really unique piece- can you tell me a bit about that project?
Jacob: “Chicago, Through Movement” is an abstract showcase of Chicago’s marvelous architecture through the lens of dance & movement. This idea actually started as just an assignment for one my classes over at Columbia. From the beginning, I knew wanted the use of avant-garde jazz score to further emphasize the beautiful of Chicago. Chicago and jazz go together so well. As for the dancers, I knew I wanted their movement to be abstract and heavily contemporary. While filming, I wanted the process to be fun and comfortable for the dancers. All of the dancing is improv and even some clips are filmed with the music, just the open air of Chicago. I felt this connected the city to the dancers and overall made the project what it is.
Basement: A lot of your work seems Chicago-centered; how has the city impacted and inspired your work? What do you find special about being an artist in Chicago?
Jacob: I was born-and-raised in LA, so moving here in the fall was such a change of scenery. I quickly fell in love with Chicago and its culture. Although I was so far from home, Chicago felt so much like a “home” city. It’s comforting. I knew filming here and being a creative here would be so much fun and so rewarding. I am endlessly inspired by this city. The people, the architecture, the culture, the nature, and even it’s grit. Being an artist in Chicago is so easy because you are constantly surrounded by other artists and art within the city. I’ve met so many amazing creatives in short time of being here and I can’t wait to collaborate with them all.
Basement: What’s next for you- anything new on the horizon?
Jacob: I want to do so much, to be honest. I am currently in the writing stages of a feature- length dance film I want to shoot next fall. I’m working with a couple local artists on music video. I hope to start shooting those soon and get those out to the public. Recently, I was selected into the TikTok for Black Creatives Program and I am so grateful for that opportunity. I’m hoping that opens more doors for me in the future. Other than that, I am simply open and ready to create anything. I want to just continue perfecting my craft and growing as an artist.