I became a lecturer and the director of the Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts at the University of Manouba once I had gained my PHD in computer science. This gave me the opportunity to rub shoulders with audiovisual professionals as students or visiting professors.
During its initial run, Deadwood, the western drama set in the lawless town of Deadwood, North Dakota during the 1870s was consistently lauded by critics and cultivated a loyal fan base. So when HBO decided to cancel the series after its third season in 2006, cast and fans alike were surprised. After a thirteen year hiatus, HBO has brought the town back to the smallscreen in the form of a movie. We spoke to Location Manager Jesse Lorber to peek behind the scenes of one of the most anticipated revivals of the year.
I have a real patchwork vita but it has always been about media. I studied visual communications at college and my first experience with scouting was 18 years ago when I worked as a production assistant for a commercial production company. We had a big shoot for a Burger King spot coming up. The client wanted to shoot a Motorcycle Chapter Clubhouse full of bikers. I thought "this is exciting, I can do this".
I have been the CEO of the Union des Producteurs de Cinema (UPC) since 2007. Before that I was General Counsel of the French Union of Phonographic Producers, which is the French member of the IFPI.
I have been involved in the film business from a very young age. I was an actress in the Miami area during my pre-teens but then decided I preferred to be behind the camera. Luckily a producer by the name of Rob Cohen took me under his wing and during summers and holidays I was a PA of sorts and absorbed the business from behind the scenes.
I was born and raised in the Chicago area and went to Purdue University in Indiana. My early goal was to write for Sports Illustrated but I found myself more interested in electronic media than print media so I followed more of a production route.
I started as a runner on the American TV show Xena: Warrior Princess, which was being filmed in New Zealand in the mid 1990s, so I have worked my way up the ladder from the bottom. I have worked as a 1st or 2nd AD on over 25 dramas such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Yogi Bear, The Shannara Chronicles and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.
