From Solo Shoots to Fantasia International Film Festival: Jake Low on Mentorship, Grit and Growing as a Filmmaker
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do as a filmmaker?
My short films often explore characters trapped by their own circumstances, blending the unreal and the absurd to externalise that sense of entrapment. Years of directing and shooting music videos have also left a strong imprint on my visual style: a rhythmic, image-forward sensibility that carries into my narrative work.
What got you into filmmaking and visual storytelling in the first place? Was there a moment or influence that really sparked things for you?
Experimenting with visual shorts (friends teleporting, fight scenes, shooting lasers out of palms) back in poly really got me thinking about doing it as a full-time career. But this filmmaking spark has always been with me as a child as I’ve been shooting action home videos of my own and editing them on my mum’s Sony Ericsson back when I was 11.
You work across directing, cinematography, and editing.
For me it’s seamless. Directing, shooting, editing are just different tools toward one vision. Doing cinematography and editing myself means fewer handoffs, fewer steps in the communication chain, and a lot more efficiency.
What are some challenges you’ve faced working across different roles in film production, and how do you navigate them today?
The biggest challenge was doing most of the physical production work myself. Location scouting, DOP, Gaffer, Acting, Editing. I was lucky enough to have collaborators to help on certain things like Art D and some of the grip work, but it was still extremely physically and mentally draining with a small crew of 2. If we’re lucky, maybe 3. The reason for the lean crew was due to budget reasons as most of the short films I’d been doing up until FFM were self-funded.
You’ve been part of SYFF Film Facilitation Collective (FFC) and Film Facilitation Mentorship (FFM). What was that experience like for you, and what were some of the key takeaways that stayed with you?
It was extremely refreshing to meet like-minded people in FFC who were eager to be involved in the local film scene! Being selected for the FFM was also incredibly helpful. The candid exchanges between my mentor Ler Jiyuan and the people I’ve been able to meet through the experience have been essential in my growth as a filmmaker.
What’s something people often don’t understand about filmmaking, especially in editing or cinematography, that you wish more people understood?
Filmmaking is so expensive! Once you factor in crew’s salaries, equipment rental costs (and the cost to hire a Grab/van to transport said equipment), food, talent fees, it all adds up quickly just for a single day of shoot. Software subscription costs are also incredibly high.
What advice would you give to others who are just starting out in filmmaking?
Haha I’m also still starting out in my filmmaking journey but I’d say meet as many people as you can. You never know what opportunities may come your way. If you’re in school and have the opportunity to rent equipment for free, I’d say that’s the best time to work on your craft with like-minded friends. Try to grow creatively together!
What are you currently working on, or what’s coming up next for you?
I’m currently in pre-production for my short film Hellnotes, which is part of the Film Facilitation Mentorship (FFM) programme.
In late July, I travelled to Montréal with Shaista (the producer and AD of Manhole) to attend the 30th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival as Manhole was officially selected as part of their Underground section!
🔎 Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/jakelow.co/
