Jake Zortman
High Definition Cinematography
home
Bio
Commercials
Fiction
Documentary
TV_web_other
interviews
Equipment
Contact Us
310.779.8655

Bio Summary
Jake Zortman began his career as a free-lance cameraman in 1991 just after earning his B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. After a year of free-lance work, he decided to get the experience of working at a television station. He worked for several years at stations as both a cameraman and producer.

In 1996, he went free-lance again and has been self-employed ever since. In addition to shooting, he produced and edited a variety of projects. Jake wrote and produced 75 episodes (three seasons) of a weekly sports magazine, segments for various television shows, documentaries and several corporate productions. Shooting was Jake's first job in the industry and always his passion, so he decided to build his business around his instinctive talent for lighting and creating images.

As the digital age of motion picture technology began, Jake saw a unique opportunity to bring his two worlds of professional experience together. His early career in television shooting video formats and his more recent career as a traditional film style director of photography were a perfect match for the advent of high definition format cinematography.

In 2002, he completed the Santa Fe Workshops High Definition Advanced Cinematographers course and purchased the Sony CineAlta high definition motion picture camera package. He was one of the first to make the investment in high definition equipment. He has gained a solid reputation as an expert in the world of high definition production. He continues his relationship with the Santa Fe High Definition Workshops and serves as an instructor for the course when it is held in Los Angeles.

His strong production background gives him a very complete understanding of what will be needed to bring words on the page to the screen. That understanding and his ability to work with talent and make people feel at ease in front of the camera defines him as a director. He currently directs and produces commercials, promos and television interviews for a variety of clients. He also works with other directors and producers as a director of photography. His background allows him to expand or contract his role based on necessity.

Selected Credits

COMMERCIALS:

  • "Minute to Move it" - McDonald's / Nickelodeon (EP/Director/DP)
  • "Fresh Fish" - Sizzler (EP/Director/DP)
  • "Good to Me" - Mercury Insurance (EP/Director/DP)
  • "Smiley" - Greenlight Financial Services (EP/Director/DP)
  • "Only One Room" - Time Warner (EP/Director/DP)
  • "Now What?" - Time Warner (EP/Director/DP)
  • Series of Spots - Anna's Linens (Director/DP)
  • "Fighter" - My Fight Team (DP)
  • "I Remember" - Intel (DP)
  • "Saving Lives" - Motorola (DP)
  • "Mustang SDS" - Ford Motor Company (DP)
  • "Big Man Dance Contest" - National Football League (DP)
  • "Jay" - Converse (DP)
  • "Touch" - Song Airlines (DP)
  • "Are You Ready" - Direct TV (DP)
  • "Now You See" - Texas State Optical (Director / DP)
  • "Come Home" - Hallmark Channel (Director / DP)
  • "Katana" - Spike TV (DP)
  • "Put up you Dukes" - NFL Network (DP)
  • "Come Home to Abbey" - Abbey Carpet Company (DP)
  • "Twins" - Harbor Frieght Tools (DP)
  • "What Has?" - YMCA (DP)
  • "IRS" - Ben Struessand For Congress (DP)

PROMO / STUDIO CLIENTS::

  • Disney
  • Pixar
  • Hallmark Channel
  • Showtime
  • New Line Cinema
  • Universal Pictures
  • Food Network
  • Comedy Central
  • Dreamworks
  • ESPN
  • BET
  • NFL Networks
NARRATIVE, TELEVISION AND OTHER:
  • "Lake Shore Drive", Trailer, Michael Grais Productions (DP)
  • "Rag Doll Story", Narrative Short, In the Park Films (DP)
  • "Side Show Attraction", Narrative Short, Scott Russell Productions (DP)
  • "Leftovers", Narrative Short, Alex Ardenti Films (DP)
  • "Alive Again", Narrative Short, VFR Films (DP)
  • "Small Change", Narrative Short, Bliss Pictures (DP)
  • "Hidden Palms", Opening Title Sequence (DP)
  • "Blowin' Up", Opening Title Sequence (DP)
  • "Reality Revealed: Amazing Race", Fox Reality Channel (Dir. / DP)
  • "D.I.R.T. Squirrel", Television Show Pilot, Candy Corn Prod. (DP)
  • "Mars Underground", Documentary Feature Film, August Films (DP)
  • "Coltrane", DVD Documentary, Enliven Entertainment (DP)
  • "Zathura", DVD Documentary, Sony Pictures (DP)
  • "National Treasure", DVD Documentary, Disney (DP)
  • "The Faculty", Documentary (DP)
  • "Kids Eye View of Japan", PBS Documentary (DP)
  • "DreamQuest", DVD Documentary, Host Communications (DP)
  • "Tower of Terror", Amusement Park Ride Effects, Disneyland (DP)