BIOGRAPHY
A native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Jack Walterman is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked in all 50 states and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Film and Television Production, with an emphasis in directing and producing, from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
While at USC, Walterman worked on several short films, music videos, pilot episodes, and commercials. He focused his energy on writing, directing, and producing genre films that centered around characters with heart fighting against horrifying odds. His coming-of-age short film, MOVE IN DAY, was released by The Media Institute for Social Change (MISC), a non-profit, Emmy Award winning organization. The film premiered in 2019 at Midsummer Scream—the World's largest Halloween and Horror convention.
During that same summer, Walterman participated in a development internship at the Flynn Picture Company known for producing large commercial films such as BLACK ADAM, RED NOTICE, and JUNGLE CRUISE, as well as critically acclaimed independent films like REQUIEM FOR A DREAM.
When Walterman was not telling his own spooky stories, he advocated for female filmmakers and collaborated on several short films including: BREACH OF TRUST, a documentary acquired by Women Make Movies, centered around USC’s $1.1 Billion sexual assault case, which was released by the Los Angeles Times dir. Mishal Mahmud; Austin Film Festival Finalist FATHER BY LAW dir. Maria De Sanctis; Directors Guild of America student film award winner LA RUTA dir. Star Victoria; Pan African Film Festival winner CODE_SWITCH dir. Sigin Ojulu; and ReelAbilities’ WHEELCHAIR WENDY dir. Shaina Ghuraya.
Walterman’s efforts on his classmates’ projects was highlighted by the School of Cinematic Arts’ First Look 2020 Awards. Walterman was the only student to hold distinct crew head positions on two of the six winning films. He produced BREACH OF TRUST (awarded Best Documentary) and production designed LA RUTA (awarded Best Social Change Film).
Before moving to Los Angeles, his innate enthusiasm for collaborative storytelling was recognized by the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota’s Theatre and Dance Faculty in 2017 when they awarded him the Millie Harrison Spirit Award. Recipient of this award demonstrates a sense of ensemble and collaboration, strong ethics and values, and the spirit of humility; is a positive ambassador for the Department of Theatre and Dance; is creative and thinks outside the box; and is contagiously enthusiastic.
During his undergraduate studies, Walterman was able to study abroad and perform in both London, England, and at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland. He also directed stage productions and coached competitive speech for neighboring high schools. Over his summer breaks he worked as a teaching artist at the renowned Guthrie Theater’s summer camp program. Walterman accomplished all of this before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts: Acting/Directing.
Walterman’s performance experience has helped him become an “actor’s director” and he takes pride in artistically shepherding stories from conception to premiere and beyond. He is currently in development for his debut feature film.
