Visiting Artist - Jared Hess

Jared Hess is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker from Preston, Idaho. His directorial debut N apoleon Dynamite premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and went on to become a comedy box office hit. His other films include Nacho Libre, Gentlemen Broncos, Don Verdean, Masterminds and the animated feature Thelma the Unicorn. He also produced and co-directed the hit Netflix documentary series Murder Among the Mormons and  Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators. In 2024, Jared and his wife Jerusha were nominated for an Academy Award for their animated short film Ninety-Five Senses. He recently directed A Minecraft Movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa.

Below are key points from the Q&A session with the renowned filmmaker.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your career?

Jared Hess: Do what you love and stay open. Don’t be too cool to embrace opportunities — they often lead to the best experiences. I never planned to make the Minecraft movie, but by asking, “How can we celebrate this and create a dorky, good time?” I found unexpected joy in the process.

What advice do you have for students submitting to film festivals?

Only submit to reputable festivals — entry fees are expensive, so choose wisely. Don’t get discouraged by rejections; you can’t control how others experience your art. Keep submitting — good opportunities can come from persistence.

What is your approach to working with actors as a director?

JH: Communicate constantly — no two actors work the same way. Use every tool at your disposal to convey your vision clearly.

What details do you keep in the script and don’t?

JH: Do not goof around. You are going into production with one draft. You have to write so much tone into it…

How to navigate differences in style?

JH: Communicate, communicate, communicate. There are so many tools at your disposal to help you communicate and be collaborative. Honor the truth no matter how hard it seems, and care about the work – not ego.

Can you name one thing you learned from Peluca (2003)?

JH: Never wait for something to be perfect. Even at the highest level of filmmaking things get imperfect


How to get to know a character, according to Jared Hess:

• Character is the most important thing.
• It is such an incubation.
• You have to have a personal connection to the material
• Everything Napoleon says and does in Napoleon Dynamite are the lowest moments between me and my brothers (I grew up in a family of 6 brothers)
• Get to know the people whom you are writing the story about
• Do your research
• Collect things and experience life
• Think about personal stories you have and why you are telling people those stories. What seems exciting to you about these stories – that is your voice. That’s it. Start there.