More than a career —Aside from an impressive professional
career, Mark Jacobs’ passion for helping others is a notable example. Jacobs spoke to a class of Pepperdine students earlier this semester.
From directing inspirational documentaries to wild reality shows, Emmy Award– winner Mark Jacobs speaks to students about his conversion to Christianity amid the tempting lures of Hollywood –– or as he calls it, “the pit.”
“Since I came to Christ five years ago, my life has completely flipped around,” Jacobs said. “People ask me why I stay in the industry, and I tell them that someone needs to be the light in the pit.”
Jacobs highlights the challenges of working in a world that mixes the glamour and glitterati of Hollywood with the omnipresence of alcohol, drugs and an insatiable thirst for fame. Specifically, the moral dilemmas of working in reality television can be intense, such as knowing when to reach out a hand to someone desperate in need or continue filming to capture the drama of a moment for a far-away audience.
However, the foundation of Jacob’s career did not begin in reality television and documentaries. Before working on popular shows like “Rob & Big” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” Jacobs gained years of experience working in news and transforming the way people received stories, preferring to tell stories that brought the facts alive with a more human dimension.
He officially began his television career working at an NBC news station in Las Vegas covering everything from the MGM fires to interviews with Sugar Ray Leonard.
“Even news had its challenges,” Jacobs said. “In one of the fires, we had bleeding victims in our van. There are moments when you have to decide if you’re going to help people or cover the news.”
Four years later, Jacobs migrated to San Diego, where he took the position of assistant news director at the Fox 6 news station and pushed the boundaries of traditional local coverage. They would take on national subjects, such as the genome theory, and thread them to the local level. Additionally, the station would hire people fresh out of college creating a teaching newsroom, which was unheard of.
“His stories were always so full of emotion and visually stunning. He is an incredible storyteller who truly brought the news to life,” said Professor Theresa de los Santos, who worked with Jacobs at Fox News.
During his time at the station, Jacobs was asked to assist on a story about a 17-year-old surfer named Jessie Billauer who had suffered severe paralyzation after hitting his head on a sandbar. Despite the injuries, Jessie’s strong motivation enabled him to get back on the board and into the water, giving hope to those with spinal trauma everywhere.
“Within five minutes of meeting Jessie, I knew I wanted to film a documentary on him and his story,” Jacobs said.
For eight years, Jacobs filmed the documentary that became one of the turning points in his career.
“At the time, I didn’t realize that what I was doing was God sent,” Jacobs said. “People in Jessie’s situation would lock themselves in a house and think their lives were over. He can’t move his hands, but he will go out on the surf board and hit the waves. I asked myself, what can I do in my life that can help people?”
After years of working in news, Jacobs was offered a directing position for the reality show “Breaking Bonaduci,” and since then, has directed several shows.
In 2011, Jacobs began directing the first season of “The Glee Project,” a reality show in which contestants compete to land a spot in the upcoming season of “Glee.” Through the filming process, Jacob recalls how producers and directors really got to know the contestants personally.
“I remember on set, I was going to each bungalow to introduce myself to each of the contestants and I saw a P.A. running by. I asked why she was running and she proceeded to tell me that one of the members forgot his Bible and she had to go grab it for him. I was so taken aback,” Jacobs said.
As the show progressed, one of the top contenders asked to leave the show because he felt that God was leading him on a different path. The spontaneous move shocked not only the producers, but also all of America watching.
“The industry is a challenging place for Christians because you are surrounded by so much darkness,” Jacobs said. “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle, but at the same token, you’re expected to be a bright light in a place that’s very dark.”
Since working on the show, Jacobs is wrapping up his final reality show, “Basketball Wives,” and plans to continue working on his latest documentary, “Swaziland.”
To all Pepperdine students looking for a job in the industry, Jacobs gives the same advice he gave his daughter: “If you’re interning, don’t just wait for someone to ask you to do something. Take initiative. It’s about enthusiasm and loving what you’re involved in. It’s not about creating 10 series in one year to make a lot of money. It’s about making films that you’re passionate about and believe in.”
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