Jesse Barrett-Mills

Jesse Barrett-Mills (born May 2, 1984) is an award-winning director, producer, and cinematographer.
Biography
Jesse Barrett-Mills was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He was raised in Amherst, Massachusetts and received his high school degree from Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he began to experiment in filmmaking. It was during his term abroad in Ireland that he began to shoot his first documentary, Belfast: The Sad Reality. Upon graduation, he went on to attend Case Western Reserve University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both English and Sociology in 2006.
He has also studied film at the International Film and Television Workshops and the California Institute of the Arts, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Directing.
Early career
His work in film began when he was only 17 years old. At the time he was living in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a term-abroad studies program. While in Belfast, he was inspired by the conflicts and tensions between the Catholic and Protestant factions and produced his first documentary, Belfast: The Sad Reality, where he followed around a taxi driver and discussed the history of the religious conflict and possible means to a peaceful resolution.
The summer after his freshman year in college he went on to direct and produce his second documentary, When The Rabbit Stops Dancing. This film is about the Choctaw Native American Tribe in Mississippi and how they have gone from one of the poorest areas of the country to becoming one of the most powerful tribes in the United States. After this piece he continued work on many other projects serving as a Cinematographer, Gaffer, Boom Operator, etc. Jesse continued to direct films while pursuing his undergraduate degree, including the film “Ohio: The Next Florida”, a film looking at the 30 days leading up to the 2004 Presidential Election and the pivotal role that the state of Ohio played in deciding the presidency.
7 Men
His first feature length film, 7 Men has won many prestigious awards at film festivals across the United States, including both the New York Film and Video Festival and the Berkeley Film Festival. It is the story of seven diverse college students from all around the world and the stories that have shaped how they view themselves and society.
Future Productions
He has also planned out his next four productions, including the development of his first feature length screenplay.
"The Finer Things" is the story of three childhood best friends who decide shortly after graduating from college to re-unite and travel across country to meet up with another old friend who is returning from the war in Iraq. They hope that their experience together during the trip will re-kindle their lost friendship and help each one of them discover what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Over the course of the trip they learn that their friend was just killed in Iraq before returning to the states. They, however, decide to continue with their journey anyways. Through this experience they not only re-establish their friendship with each other but also discover what they feel they want to do with the rest of their lives.
He is also working on three other feature-length documentaries, including a film about Iraq War veterans practicing Buddhist meditation as a way to cope with the trauma of their war experience. He is also expected to announce a third film project by the end of the year.
El Bracero
A short film focused on a migrant worker. Won Best Short Film award at the 2008 Northampton Independent Film Festival.
The Living Buddha
This is a short documentary about the current state of Tibet through the voice of a Lama. Tsewang Jirme Rinpoche, a renowned Tulku believed to be a reincarnate of an original Buddhist cleric, presents Tibetan history and culture as its people prepare for the future.
The film premiered as part of the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.
Selected filmography
* Belfast: The Sad Reality (2002)
* When The Rabbit Stops Dancing (2003)
* Ohio: The Next Florida (2005)
* The Tsunami Song (2005)
* 7 Men (2005)
* Stevie (2007)
* El Bracero (2008)
* The Living Buddha (2009)
* Our Land (2009)
* Wildfires: A California Disaster (2009)
* Si Se Puede (2009)
* Earthfire Institute: The Heart of Earthfire (2009)
* Put Up Your Dux (2010) Post-Production
* Praying For Peace (2010) Pre-Production
* The Finer Things (2010) Announced
Personal life
An ex-collegiate football player, Jesse participated in offseason tryouts as a wide receiver for the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu