Jim Mckay
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Originally intending to be an English teacher, Jim McKay moved instead into the realm of documentaries, music videos and public service spots. This eventually led to features and the release of "Girls Town" (1996), his first effort as a director and co-scenarist which won both the Filmmakers Trophy and a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The story of four friends who think their senior year in high school is supposed to be proms and fun but discover far more angst, was made for under $100,000 and shot on 16mm film. McKay worked on the script with his stars Lili Taylor, Bruklin Harris and Anna Grace and also served as the film's editor.
Prior to turning to narratives, McKay was well known in the music video world. In addition to directing videos for R.E.M., he also helmed ones for Ziggy Marley, The Feelies, Son Volt, and Soul Coughing. He directed R.E.M.'s longform video "Tourfilm" and was partnered with the group's lead singer Michael Stipe in C-Hundred Film Corporation. McKay also directed the full-length documentary "Lighthearted Nation," as well as an award-winning series of public service announcements under the umbrella title "Direct Effect." With Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.), McKay formed C-Hundred Film Corp, a production company that had several projects in the pipeline, including Christopher Munch's "Backward Looks, Far Corners," Tom Gilroy's "Spring Forward" and McKay's own "Our Song." The latter two were selected for screening at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cinematography (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Editing (Feature Film)
Special Thanks (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cinematography (Special)
Producer (Special)
Life Events
1994
Worked as camera production assistant on docudrama "Roy Cohn/Jack Smith", starring Ron Vawter
1996
Made directorial debut with "Girls Town"; also contributed to the script; won two prizes as Sundance Film Festival
1998
Assisted in the producing of Lisa Collins' Student Academy Award-winning short "Tree Shade"
1998
Served as a co-producer on Chris Smith's documentary "American Movie"
1999
Produced Tom Gilroy's "Spring Forward"; shown at the Toronto Film Festival; released theatrically in 2000
2000
Wrote, produced and directed "Our Song", about three high school girls who live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn; premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; released theatrically in 2001
2004
Produced "Brother to Brother" a drama that looks back on the Harlem Renaissance from the perspective of an elderly, black writer; received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature
Companions
