Jessica Biel Pokes Holes in the Sky

Posted on 01. Aug, 2008 by Administrator in Profiles

words by Alicia Keating

This year’s 4th annual HollyShorts Festival, which opens August 7th, is jam packed with A-list contenders, from David Arquette to James Brolin. Topping that list is one of Hollywood’s most mysterious and intriguing stars, Jessica Biel, who is absolutely thrilled to be debuting her film on the opening night of the festival. With her main focus on her new production company, Iron Ocean Films, and several other films in the works we were lucky enough to catch up with Jessica from the set of her current film Nailed to hear the details about her new short film Hole in the Paper Sky which she not only starred in but produced as well.

h: Your film, Hole in the Paper Sky is entered in HollyShorts Film Festival alongside Josh Brolin and David Arquette. How did you become involved with the Festival?

JB: My producing partner, Michelle Purple, found the script on a website that supports and promotes up and coming screenwriters. She loved it, called the writer, had a meeting with him and he gave us his permission to make his film. I was moved by the story and Bill, our director, had a wonderful take on it. We’re all big animal fans so it was a perfect first piece of material for us to take on. HollyShorts contacted our director Bill Purple and asked if we would like to screen the film at the opening night of the festival and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

h: The role you play in Hole in the Paper Sky is a big departure from your previous roles. Was it exciting to take on a darker role? And are there more in your future?

JB: I love challenging myself physically and emotionally with the roles I choose, so yes it was very exciting to take on a darker, quirkier character and there definitely will be more roles like this in my future.

h: You’re currently shooting Nailed with Jake Gyllenhaal… tell me about this film… it sounds like it has an interesting premise?

JB: Nailed is about three people who all have different bizarre medical issues who go to Washington to try to get a catastrophic health care bill passed for all Americans.

h: What plans do you have for your production company, Iron Ocean Films? What type of movies are you interested in making?

JB: I am currently putting most of my time and attention into Iron Ocean’s other projects in development. We have a handful of projects that we are developing including a 1950′s Noir thriller, a modern romantic comedy, and a dark comedy about a young homeless girl who’s building a boat out of garbage.

h: When did you first get the itch to produce?

JB: It was about three years ago that I got the itch to start producing. We want to make all different kinds of films at Iron Ocean, but mainly, we want to tell unique and interesting stories about diverse people. We also want to create amazing roles for women because there’s such a lack of them in the industry now.

h: What’s your favorite Indie flick?

JB: My favorite indie flick is probably Election or Punch Drunk Love.

h: You are very heavily involved with charities and you’re co-founder of Make The Difference Network… how can someone get involved?

JB: Anyone can get involved by going to our website mtdn.com and making a donation to their favorite charity, fulfilling one of our many organizations wishes, or giving their time volunteering at an inspiring non-profit like Hola, an after school program for kids in downtown Los Angeles.

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