Writer · Director · Producer
My background is behind the camera, shooting and producing for studios, networks, and brands, and I write and develop original work across film, television, and fiction.
Feature Screenplay
Script Complete
Alone since childhood, Hope has survived on grit, a bookshelf of fairy tales, and a set of strict rules left by her parents. When she breaks the one instructing her to shoot strangers, her life feels like a fairy tale. But Prince Charming has a secret — one that will test her heart, shatter her beliefs, and change the world.
Grounded Sci-Fi Series
Pilot + Bible Complete
A vengeful young man teams up with one of the machines he's sworn to destroy, only to learn that the real enemy is more powerful and far more disturbing than he imagined.
Middle-Grade Novel
Published 2024
A critically acclaimed, STEM-focused adventure that went on to inspire STEM camps and classroom materials.
"An engaging, action-packed adventure for technophiles and aspiring detectives."
— Kirkus Reviews
Jake Zortman started with a camera on his shoulder, shooting sports, documentaries, and broadcast television. He founded BackFocus, a Santa Monica production company that became a go-to source for studio promo campaigns for television and film, and for commercial production, working as cinematographer, producer, and director for clients including Hennessy, Nissan, Disney, Showtime, and Nickelodeon.
He was co-producer and cinematographer on the Lionsgate feature QT8: The First Eight, and co-producer and director of photography on the four-part docuseries Tim Burton: Life in the Line, an official selection of the 2024 Tribeca Festival.
In 2024 he published his debut novel, The Rise of the Legends. Today he writes and develops his own stories, across features, series, and fiction, bringing his cinematographer's eye to every page.
Contact
jake [at] jakezortman [dot] comLet's collaborate.
