We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Swain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, what principle do you value most?
As a filmmaker, for me, it is really important that I take care of the people around me. This is a career where it costs a lot of money to make a film. It’s difficult, complicated, and messy. In order to cut corners, the budget cut I have seen most often in a film, is to the detriment of other people. I have personally experienced this reality after working for nine months nearly every single day and being paid only $500. That experience nearly killed the desire to work on films for me. From an experience like that, I learned to not cut corners with contracts. I learned how to not just give away my time and my work. Most importantly, though, I learned how to take care of others so that I don’t do the same thing to them.

It isn’t about the awards. It isn’t worth it to me to take home something I earned with a team of other people, if the memory of that accomplishment is muddied because I didn’t take care of my crew. Nobody makes a film alone. Life isn’t done alone. When we are only focused on our own goals and accomplishments, we end up with hollow achievements. I would rather a project not get made than to work beyond my means on the backs of those that made the project happen.

Valuing others is a key to life and living. Maybe in someways I get to my end goals a bit slower. In the end, I get to have lasting working relationships with people that I want to work with, and who want to work with me. It is worth it to be honorable and trustworthy. It also is more work… Not enough though to make the alternative acceptable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Regional Emmy award-winning filmmaker and also an award-winning photographer. I picked up a camera in college as a fun elective course when I was 16 and fell in love with capturing images. I had no idea that I was getting into a career that is extremely difficult to succeed in.

Film and Photography are both expensive to get into. They are both physically and mentally demanding. They both require a person to constantly be looking for the next job. You can’t really have a career in film without having extensive knowledge of computers, light, art composition, editing, or even the cameras themselves. It is a competitive career and one that has an air of glamour. This means that many people want to do it and think they can make money easily. (Which couldn’t be further from the actual reality.)

The hours are rough; waking up before dawn to get the shot. People don’t see or know 90% of the work that goes on behind the scenes. The pay, unless you are established, can be horribly low. People can and do take advantage of you. For example, if you shoot a wedding, be sure not to “miss Uncle Fred” because that can be the most stressful week of your life with the wrong wedding couple! Sometimes you only have one chance to get the shot. You get all set up for it when the time comes… only to realize you forgot that your lens cap was on and that’s why you can’t see anything.

I got here by making every mistake in the book. Giving my work away for free at times. Getting second jobs. I also had wonderful people tell me I am charging too little and paying me more than I had asked for. I worked hard by being the first person on set and the last person to leave. Most importantly though, it’s probably the sheer stubbornness to not give up. If it wasn’t so much fun to be on set with good people and the absolute joy of making something that I feel proud of, the work wouldn’t be worth the many hours that get put into it.

Making something worthwhile and sharing it with others who enjoy it is the reason I do what I do. No, it’s not easy, just like many things in life are not easy. However, it can be rewarding in a life giving way when the end goal is not about ego or paying bills. When I am alone on a mountain, capturing that once in a lifetime shot and having my breath taken away by the amazing beauty of our world… That feeling is indescribably a moment of being truly alive for me.

The cool thing is that now I am starting to make the things I want to do! I am directing a documentary that will hopefully be finished by fall 2023 called “At the Foot of the Mountain”. It’s about a music festival in a small town in Oregon that brought people together regardless of religion, or race. It was started by a man named Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams. This man hung out with amazing greats of our time including Dr. Martin Luther King, J.R. and more. This festival changed many lives. If you ever have a chance to see it, I hope that you enjoy the story and the amazing work of all the people that made it happen.

I’ve come from a place where I nearly took my own life at 14 years old, struggling with depression for most of my life; fighting to find self-worth, meaning, and faith, to realizing that I have value. My life has importance. I am more than my work. If there is anything that I have ever truly succeeded in that I can fully claim as my own, it is that I chose to live. What a life it is!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am all about food. I love eating and experiencing something that is special! ‘Matsuhisa’ sushi in Denver, if I wanted to share something truly special, is one place I would consider. (Not a place for a first date or everyday dinner) Let the waiter decide your menu and go on a culinary journey that can bring tears of joy to your eyes. I don’t really drink, but I can say their cocktails are just as good as the food.

Let’s not forget a good breakfast, though. You can’t go wrong with ‘Snooze’ or if you want an authentic diner at 2 A.M. ‘Pete’s Kitchen’ is a great Greek breakfast place.

The Botanic Gardens in Denver is my go-to place for flowers and a pleasant walk. It’s a world-class garden in my opinion.

For hiking, I would check out Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Or maybe visit Mt. Evans/Mt. Blue Sky.

Colorado has many amazing things to do and see. If you want to do something fun, it’s available and often it’s completely free!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In my experience of life, it is only thanks to the amazing efforts of those around me that I can do anything or be anything. From people that I get to work with, to friends, family, down to even just the wonderful people that I don’t know that are just willing to give me a smile as I pass on the street. The way we impact the world around us, I don’t think anyone really realizes how much of a role they play.

How did I get here? I got here through each individual family member pouring love into me. I am here because of tremendous teachers like Mrs. Hertz, Gregory Pierce, Jim Beiber, Darren Foster and so many more… I am here because of tremendous friends and colleagues like Ben Hunter, Charles Carpenter, Tim Jones, Mike Flack, Rachel Johnson, and many others that also, are just as deserving to be named. I have counselors and mentors that have taken time to see me and offer me guidance, John Milek, Dr. John Otte, Tom Millensifer, and Miriam Dixon to name a few.

This list of individuals doesn’t even come close to covering the people that have made a profound difference in my life. We impact people in ways we could not possibly imagine. It is my hope that I can do so as well for others around me.

Other: This is a link to the Regional Emmy Award-winning video that I had the privilege to work on. It is a parody on the Greatest showman, directed by Tim Jones. Music and lyrics by Mike Flack and Alli Coffey. I was the 1st Assistant Director and also planned the shots with the director. It was shot for an awesome nonprofit in Golden, Colorado that helps people in need by doing yard work, building fences, repairing roofs etc… The Greatest Toolman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LmdKpqA2E Check it out!

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.