Jordan Michael Blake Takes Center Stage at Sundance with Paradise Man (ii)
Filmmaker Jordan Michael Blake has gained recognition for his work with The American Standard Film Company, where he has contributed to a variety of short films celebrated at numerous festivals. His latest project, Paradise Man (ii), marks a pivotal moment as he presents his own work in person at the renowned Sundance Film Festival. This short film, exploring themes of identity through the lens of a blank-faced character and the metaphor of golf perfectionism, is both innovative and introspective, solidifying Blake’s unique artistic voice.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Blake expressed his enthusiasm about being featured in Sundance’s Animated Short Film Program. Having previously edited and produced the short film The Touch of the Master’s Hand in 2021, he was unable to attend the festival due to the pandemic. Thus, the inclusion of Paradise Man (ii) holds additional significance for him.
The Concept Behind Paradise Man (ii)
“Golf became the metaphor for how perfectionist I had become.”
Watch the Trailer Here
Jordan Michael Blake: That’s a good question. During the pandemic, I bought a truck and started driving around, feeling sad and alone. Isolating myself in nature allowed me to reflect on personal trauma and rediscover what it means to be a person. I realized that my perfectionism in filmmaking was stifling my creativity and joy, ultimately detracting from the quality of my movies.
ScreenRant: Have you ever achieved a hole-in-one in golf, speaking of perfectionism?
Jordan Michael Blake: No, I haven’t. I met my best friend at golf camp, and it serves as a nod to him. The hole-in-one is a direct metaphor for pursuing impossible goals, which I found compelling to explore.
Innovation in Animation with Paradise Man (ii)
“I wanted to make a movie about somebody whose identity was blank.”
ScreenRant: The characters in Paradise Man are blank-faced personas. What draws you to this style?
Jordan Michael Blake: This concept emerged from a humorous project for the fictitious Taco Bell Film Festival, where I created a presentation for Delta Airlines. The blank-faced character intrigued me, especially with the abundance of gifs available online, leading to the unique storytelling avenue I took.
ScreenRant: How did you transition from gifs to creating a full short film?
Jordan Michael Blake: I established a specific aesthetic that involved hypnotic grain and color treatments, reminiscent of old newspapers. This provided life to the stock images as I meticulously chose animations that complemented the narrative, crafting a compelling visual language.
Paradise Man (ii) – Prospects for the Future
“If I could break through and figure out how to do that, I’d be really excited.”
ScreenRant: The film hints at potential for sequels, with a comedic “next week”teaser included. Is Paradise Man destined for a series?
Jordan Michael Blake: I joked about the “next week”section, but I would love to explore further episodes. If I had the chance, I’d aim to tackle absurd topics while probing their deeper meanings.
Evolution as a Filmmaker: Lessons Learned Through Shorts
ScreenRant: How have your shorts evolved your filmmaking skills, and what challenges have you faced?
Jordan Michael Blake: I initially focused on live-action films, but I became inspired to explore animation during the pandemic. Collaborating with Racer Trash taught me the joy of repurposing existing content into new, meaningful forms. My perspective on filmmaking has shifted from merely addressing confusion to presenting more definitive narratives.
ScreenRant: What’s it like being part of The American Standard Film Company, and how does it shape your work?
Jordan Michael Blake: Working with this collective has been incredible. Having a creative support network for over a decade helps refine my decisions and enhances the artistic quality of our films.
ScreenRant: Are you planning to transition to feature films, or do you prefer short projects?
Jordan Michael Blake: We have produced numerous shorts, but I am eager to undertake a feature-length project. I have an exploration in mind that would involve expanding the animation style while maintaining audience engagement throughout.
Paradise Man (ii) is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 8:30 PM MT at the Library Center Theatre as part of the Animated Short Film Program. To acquire tickets, visit this link.
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