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Always drawn to the cutting room, college summers were spent as an apprentice editor for New Line Cinema, which enabled her to join the Editor's Guild immediately after graduating collage. Jessica spent the next several years alternating working as an assistant editor on big-budget studio movies, with solo editing low-budget movies and documentaries -- all while writing, creating and collaborating on her own indie narrative and documentary projects. RACHEL, NEVADA, made during this period, became a mild "cult classic" among alien enthusiasts, won numerous awards, and was Jessica's entree to apply for AFI's prestigious Director's Program. Jessica was named a "Top 4 Director" for HBO and Miramax's 2nd Season of PROJECT GREENLIGHT, which led to bigger directing opportunities. Episodic TV directing credits include episodes of dramas BONES for Fox, COLD CASE and JUDGING AMY for CBS, and ONE TREE HILL for The CW. She directed 2nd Unit and was Video Director on Dimension Films' horror classic HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION. Jessica directed the entire Season 1 of THE BOOTH AT THE END, a psychological thriller starring Xander Berkeley, for Michael Eisner's Vuguru. Originally conceived just for the web, it sold to FOX International Channels in a deal that's "the most comprehensive international pickup of a series to date... internet, broadcast TV, mobile and download-to-own rights for all durations." She also directed the popular web series HOUSE POOR from The Office's Mindy Kaling and Lester Lewis, for the launch of StrikeTV, and the 3D project CHOICES for 3Ality Digital. |
Originally from Los Angeles, Jessica Landaw now lives in both NYC and LA. She has an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute (AFI), where she received a "Mentor Award" and scholarship from Women in Film. She began her film career while still an undergrad, earning degrees in Film & Video and English at the University of Michigan and a film certificate from USC.