Jeff King: A Journey through the Film Industry
Sailfin Sessions
The crew was buzzing with excitement just moments before Jeff King entered the studio. His incredibly genuine and creative spirit was evident from the moment we first spoke. Throughout our conversation, he shared some thoughtful advice and insight for you aspiring filmmakers. Quite simply, having the opportunity to sit down with such an inspiring Canadian writer and producer was truly an honour.
Jeff began his film career in the craft service department, working on low budget independent films in Toronto. Soon after, he met a producer (at the gym!) that helped him secure his first job in the production department. From there, he slowly climbed the ladder from production assistant to location manager to production manager. Finally leading him to his current career as a producer.
Not only is Jeff heavily involved in the production world, but he’s also spent time on the creative side: screenwriting & directing.
Like any young kid, Jeff fell in love with reading comic books. But his passion soon evolved as his career led him to actually writing them for both Mavel and DC. Jeff then found himself writing for a Sci-Fi television series, landing him a directing role – something he’d been striving for.
You now know Jeff King for his current work as an executive producer on television series like The Acolyte, The Umbrella Academy, Blindspot and White Collar to name a few.
Nothing kills creativity like comparing yourself and judging yourself against the best work of others.
A lot of people hear the word "producer" and don't know what that actually means. What does the role involve?
Jeff King: Typically I’ll be involved from the point that the script exists, if I haven’t written it. Often, my role early in the production is to work with writers, the production company, the studio, the creator, to come up with the right approach to how we execute the shooting plan.
I’m often involved in casting. It’s probably the thing that I love most of all. Like hiring the right crew for a show, casting the right actors really is the difference between something that’s going to be great and something that’s going to be just “good”.
Why do you think film and TV are so important?
Jeff King: I think what inspires me about film is that I still have a childlike wonder for telling stories. I can’t imagine doing it any other way. Although I will say that, I did. I was always a comic kid growing up, and one of the ways that I have been able to tell stories outside of film and television is through comics.
Is it important to make mistakes along the way?
Jeff King: They must be important, because I’ve made a ton! Failing in a safe space and creating a safe space for people to fail in and move on from is incredibly important. Probably the single most important thing is finding a way to be supportive and not judgmental or condemning. As hard as that can be, and as much as the pressure is on to not make mistakes.
What advice would you share with aspiring filmmakers?
Jeff King: My advice would be; don’t be in too much of a rush to be the person you want to be when you are successful. Find out how to work your way into the industry, because you probably don’t know all of the opportunities that there are for you to be successful. Give yourself the patience to learn about them.
And I feel like there is a real premium on creating and competing with the best things that are so easily available to all of us. But I think nothing kills creativity like comparing yourself and judging yourself against the best work of others.
I think part of what I would say to an aspiring filmmaker is; don’t be in too much of a hurry that you skip over learning important lessons. There isn’t just A and then Z, you have to go through the other letters and learn the things that those teach you. All those things that you learn along the way, add to who you are when you’re ready to make the thing that you’re dreaming about making.
Written and Produced by:
Eric Osborne
Hayley Butler
For more information about Jeff and his work, you can visit his IMDb page. Make sure to follow him on Instagram and X to stay updated on his latest projects.
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