11 Nov 2025
Jessica Redish: From USC to Studio Pitch Meetings
Jessica Redish is an award-winning director, writer, and choreographer and recent graduate of USC's MFA Film & Television Production Program. Called a "rising star" by Medium.com, her work spans from choreographing The Smashing Pumpkins' International Tour to creating acclaimed short films including "Exit, Pursued by a Bear" (her short movie musical that premiered at Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts and Raindance Film Festivals) and the absurdist comedy "cat." She has worked as a comedy writer for Emmy & Golden Globe winner Joey Soloway and for Michael Bay & Adam Goodman's Invisible Narratives. With a musical theater background from Northwestern University, Jessica won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography and earned Chicago Tribune recognition alongside directors like Hal Prince. Inspired by Scorsese, Coppola, Alma Har'el, and Bob Fosse, her work has been described as "hilariously twisted" by Hollywood Digest. Jessica currently resides in Los Angeles where she tends to her "Golden Girls" Chia Pet.
IN THIS EPISODE:
✨ How pandemic Q&As inspired her film school journey
✨ The short musical that got her hired
✨ Making "The Last Croissant" - Funny or Die's pick
✨ Developing shows while finishing grad school
✨ Why collaboration is everything
✨ Real talk about the intensity of film school
JESSICA'S PROJECTS:
https://www.jessicaredish.com/director (https://www.jessicaredish.com/director)
• Exit, Pursued By A Bear (Short Musical)
• The Last Croissant (Funny or Die)
• Cat (Absurdist Short)
CONNECT WITH JESSICA:
Website: https://www.jessicaredish.com/ (https://www.jessicaredish.com/)
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2600459/ (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2600459/)
IG: @jessicaredish (http://instagram.com/jessicaredish)
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaBethRedish/ (https://www.facebook.com/JessicaBethRedish/)
ABOUT AFTER FILM SCHOOL:
Real stories from real filmmakers about life after graduation.
CHAPTERS WITH TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Jessica Redish
01:30 - The Pandemic Pivot: Why Film School?
03:45 - From Theater Kid to Choreographer
06:20 - Breaking Into Music Videos
09:15 - Choreography Meets Camera Movement
12:40 - The Last Croissant: A Breakthrough
15:30 - Cat: The Follow-Up Short
17:45 - First Year Success: Exit, Pursued By A Bear
20:10 - From Student to Professional TV Writer
23:00 - Current Projects: Pitching to Studios
25:30 - Film School Reality Check
28:15 - The Secret Sauce: Collaboration
30:45 - Final Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
32:30 - Wrap-Up & Where to Find Jessica
Tags:
film school, USC film school, TV writer, screenwriting, musical theater, film director, women in film, USC cinema, choreography, music videos, short films, comedy filmmaking, absurdist comedy, film school advice, Northwestern University, graduate film programs, television writing, development executive, filmmaker interview, after film school podcast
