Clayton Jacobson (director)

Clayton Jacobson is an Australian film director, writer, producer, actor, musician, and editor. His debut feature film was Kenny, which was released in 2006 in Australia to critical acclaim, winning a number of awards. He has acted in a number of films, including Animal Kingdom (2010).

Clayton Jacobson
Occupation(s)Director, producer, writer, actor, editor
Years active1989 – present

Early life and education

Clayton Jacobson is the brother of Kenny actor Shane Jacobson.[citation needed]

He graduated from the Swinburne Film & TV School.[1]

Career

Jacobson began his career editing music videos and features films. He then directed music videos, television commercials,[2][failed verification] and short films until making his debut as a feature film director with Kenny in 2006.[3][4][5]

Jacobson first had the idea of improving the green screen technology in use for filming special effects when filming a TV ad for detergent in 2003. Watching his son playing videogames and seeing the 3D technology used in them gave him the basic idea for developing on-set virtual production. In 2016, Jacobson and his son made one of the first prototypes for a virtual production stage in their shed, using a set of LED screens. However, he could not get anyone to take an interest in developing the technology further, so gave up on it. Other filmmakers had also caught on to the idea though, and in 2018 Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser used the technology to film the Star Wars franchise spin-off series, The Mandalorian (released 2019).[6]

Awards and nominations

Kenny

Kenny received several awards and nominations, including:[citation needed]

  • 2006: Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards [7]
    • Nominated - Best Film (Clayton Jacobson, Rohan Timlock), Best Direction (Clayton Jacobson), Best Original Screenplay (Shane Jacobson, Clayton Jacobson), Best Editing (Clayton Jacobson, Sean Lander), Best Supporting Actor (Ronald Jacobson);
    • Won - Best Lead Actor (Shane Jacobson);
  • 2006: Film Critics Circle of Australia
    • Won - Best Actor (Shane Jacobson), Best Original Screenplay;
    • Nominated: Best Film, Best Director;
  • 2006: IF Awards
    • Won - Best Feature Film, Best Script (Clayton Jacobson, Shane Jacobson), Best Sound (Craig Carter, Peter Smith), Box Office Achievement;
    • Nominated - Best Director (Clayton Jacobsen), Best Editing (Clayton Jacobson, Sean Lander)

Brothers' Nest

Brothers' Nest (2020), directed by Jacobsen, was nominated for the inaugural AACTA Award for Best Indie Film in the 8th edition of the AACTA Awards.[8]

Personal life

Jacobson plays bass in the Appalachian folk band the Duck Downpickers.[when?][citation needed]

Filmography

Jacobson has been involved in the making of the following films:[9]

As director, producer, and writer

YearFilmTypeCredited as
DirectorWriterProducer
1994EnvironMentalShort FilmYes
2001TicklerShort FilmYesYesYes
2002I Love UShort FilmYes
2002TanakaShort FilmYes
2006KennyFeature FilmYesYesYes
2008Kenny's WorldTelevision SeriesYesYes
2009Mordy KootsWeb SeriesYesYes
2018Brothers' NestFeature FilmYesYes
2019Mr. BlackTelevision SeriesYes

As editor

YearFilmNotes
1989Houseboat Horror

As actor

YearFilmRoleType
1988Smoke 'Em If You Got 'EmFeature film
2001He Died with a Felafel in His Hand Repo ManFeature film
2001TicklerMan
2003BuriedAngusShort film
2003Ned KellySullivanFeature film
2003RoundaboutParamedic 1Short film
2003Take AwayWaster 2Feature film
2005The Illustrated Family DoctorPhilFeature film
2005BlacktownClaytonFeature film
2006The Water DiaryLunch GuestShort film
2006KennyDavid SmythFeature film
2010Animal KingdomGus EmeryFeature film
2017Top of the LakeAdrian ButlerTV series, season 2, episode: "China Girl"
2018UpgradeMannyFeature film
2018Brothers' NestJeffFeature film
2019Metro SexualBruce the Bikie
2024Cook Serve ForeverBazVideo game

References