For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Jacques Gravett, ACE
What’s your job? Picture Editor
List the credits you’re most proud of. I’m proud of my work on the limited series “Shots Fired” where I had the opportunity to work with Oscar winning Director Jonathan Demme before he passed away. Other credits I am proud of include “13 Reasons Why,” “The Shield,” the remake of “Battlestar Galactica,” “American Soul,” “Love Is_,” and “Being Mary Jane.”
What are you working on right now? I just cut a pilot that was picked up and has gone to series called “Swagger” for Apple TV+. It is produced by NBA star Kevin Durant and Reggie Bythewood.
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors? My dad and my older brother had the biggest influences on me in life. From the editing world Maysie Hoy and Carol Littleton both took the time to offer me very important career advice early on. That advice was paramount in helping me turn my job into a career that has lasted over 20 years.
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about? I recently finished reading “Coach Wooden and Me” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I try not to watch much TV when I’m on a project, but I’m currently into two British TV shows: “Top Boy” and “The Crown.” Additionally, I enjoy watching travel shows. On the feature film side, I’m looking forward to seeing “The Banker.”
What would be your superhero name? When I played sports growing up my teammates gave me the nick name Black Superman.
What are your Black History Month memories, and what cultural or historical impacts have they had on your life? One of my fondest memories of Black History month was as a child when my dad came to my elementary school to speak about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I didn’t know until the last minute he was coming, and he didn’t make a big deal about it. My school was mostly white, and my dad acted like coming to speak was an everyday thing. I remember having such pride watching him speak so eloquently in front my school. The speech was a hit and watching my dad deliver it instilled a confidence in me that I still carry to this day.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? When I played basketball growing up, Lakers coach Pat Riley told me, “When you have the ball in your hands and the game is on the line, drive to the hoop and try to score.”
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? If I could time travel I would go back in time to better understand where I came from. I think???
What’s a little-known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I’ll give you two. I’m trained in martial arts and hold a Black Belt. Also, I was an actor as a child. I mainly did TV commercials and some print ads.
What would be your dream project to work on? Editing a big budget feature film in any genre.
