Jacob Gentry is an American film director, editor, and writer. He is best known for The Signal, which he co-wrote and co-directed with David Bruckner and Dan Bush. He also directed the My Super Psycho Sweet 16 trilogy and collaborated with Broken Bells on short films based on their music.

Jacob Gentry
Born1977 or 1978 (age 46–47)[1]
OccupationFilm director
Known forThe Signal, My Super Psycho Sweet 16 series

Early life

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Gentry was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] At fifteen, MTV aired his short film Terminator 3: School Day. Later, he attended the University of Georgia along with David Bruckner and A. J. Bowen. The three would later collaborate with Dan Bush on The Signal (2007).[2]

Career

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Gentry's first film was Last Goodbye (2004), which starred Faye Dunaway and the children of several celebrities. Gentry was initially resistant to the idea of casting the children of celebrities but relented when he realized the gimmick could be used for publicity.[3] He later described the film as "a messy Magnolia".[2] In 2005, he edited the film The Lady from Sockholm.[4] His next feature was The Signal, which traces its origins to a Surrealist game called exquisite corpse in which multiple collaborators independently contribute toward the completion of an art project.[5] After collaborating with Bruckner and Bush on The Signal, he signed a three picture deal with MTV and directed My Super Psycho Sweet 16 (2009) and its two sequels, My Super Psycho Sweet 16: Part 2 and My Super Psycho Sweet 16: Part 3.[2] Although not a fan of reality television, Gentry decided to use the source material to discuss the financial crisis.[6] Gentry was originally approached to contribute to the horror anthology V/H/S, but he was forced to decline due to Directors Guild of America technicalities. He instead suggested Bruckner, who joined the project.[2] Gentry worked with the band Broken Bells on two short films. Gentry said that the shorts allowed him to explore new ideas and work in science fiction, his favorite genre.[7] Gentry and musician Danger Mouse had gone to college together, and although they had not worked together professionally until then, they were friends.[8] Gentry did not synchronize the films to the albums; instead, he worked from Danger Mouse's ideas and created independent narratives.[9] In 2015 he released Synchronicity, after which he released Broadcast Signal Intrusion in 2021.[10]

Awards and nominations

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In 2008, Gentry was nominated for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award along with Bruckner and Bush for The Signal.[11]

Filmography

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Film Year Director Producer Writer Editor Notes
Last Goodbye 2004 Yes No Yes Yes
The Lady from Sockholm 2005 No No No Yes
The Signal 2007 Yes Yes Yes Yes Segment "The Jealousy Monster"
Hysterical Psycho 2009 No No No Yes
My Super Psycho Sweet 16 2009 Yes No No No
My Super Psycho Sweet 16: Part 2 2010 Yes No No No
My Super Psycho Sweet 16: Part 3 2012 Yes No No No
After the Disco Part One: Angel and the Fool 2013 Yes No No No Short film[12]
After the Disco Part Two: Holding On for Life 2013 Yes No No No Short film[12]
Synchronicity 2015 Yes No Yes Yes
Broadcast Signal Intrusion 2021 Yes No No No

References

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  1. ^ a b Guerrasio, Jason (2007-01-24). "Dan Bush, David Bruckner, and Jacob Gentry, The Signal". Filmmaker. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  2. ^ a b c d Nicholson, Amy. "Mumblegore". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on 2014-09-01. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  3. ^ Chaplin, Julia (2004-05-09). "A NIGHT OUT WITH: Jacob Gentry; Friend of Famous Kids". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  4. ^ Harvey, Dennis (2005-10-18). "Review: 'The Lady From Sockholm'". Variety. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  5. ^ Addiego, Walter (2008-02-17). "Three directors behind horror film 'Signal'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  6. ^ Ho, Rodney (2009-10-21). "MTV shoots upcoming 'My Super Psycho Sweet 16' in Atlanta, debuting October 23". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 2014-08-13. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  7. ^ Hall, Peter (2013-11-27). "'The Signal' Director Jacob Gentry on Moving from Horror to Sci-fi for the Band Broken Bells and Beyond". Movies.com. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  8. ^ Aquino, Tara. "Interview: Kate Mara, Anton Yelchin, and Jacob Gentry Talk Broken Bells' "After the Disco"". Complex.com. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  9. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (2013-12-20). "How Danger Mouse Collaborated With a Filmmaker On His Broken Bells' Original Music Video 'After the Disco'". Indiewire. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  10. ^ Wixson, Heather (2012-03-09). "Exclusive Interview: Jacob Gentry Talks My Super Psycho Sweet 16: Part 3, His Upcoming Time Travel Flick Synchronicity and More". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  11. ^ Maxwell, Erin (2008-10-02). "Spirit Award nominees announced". Variety. Retrieved 2014-08-12.
  12. ^ a b Paur, Joey (November 27, 2013). "Sci-Fi Short Films - After the Disco with Anton Ylechin and Kate Mara". Geek Tyrant. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
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