Zach Jankovic is Founder and Lead Editor at www.CutToCreate.com. After graduating from film school in 2008, Zach went to work in TV. During that time Zach directed, produced, and edited three award-winning short documentaries. Zach’s newest film, The Astronaut’s Secret is about former astronaut Rich Clifford, the first and only man who went to space with Parkinson’s Disease.
HFF: What is your film about, and how did the project come to be?
ZJ: In 1996 during NASA’s Space Shuttle Mission STS-76, Michael ‘Rich’ Clifford performed the first American spacewalk while docked to the Russian Mir Space Station. It was a flawless performance that paved the way for future spacewalks. Fifteen years later Rich Clifford reveals that he had Parkinson’s disease while performing that spacewalk and with NASA’s knowledge of his ailment. The Astronaut’s Secret explores Rich’s career as an astronaut and how he and NASA kept his disease a secret for more than 15 years. The film also follows Rich as he begins to speak publicly about Parkinson’s disease and becomes a source of inspiration for others suffering from the neurodegenerative disease. His story shows that with passion, dedication and determination, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and reach for the stars. The film came to me by way of my father, Dr. Joseph Jankovic, who diagnosed Rich back in 1994.
HFF: What was your role in the production?
ZJ: I was the producer, director and editor of the project.
HFF: Why did you submit to the Heartland Film Festival? Have you been to the Festival before?
ZJ: I submitted to Heartland Film Festival because it has a great reputation, and I wanted to have my film as a part of such a great showcase.
HFF: This year’s tagline is “Shift Your Perspective” – what lasting effect will your film have on moviegoers?
ZJ: I hope my film will encourage viewers to never give up in the face of seemingly unsurmountable circumstances.
HFF: What has inspired you to become a filmmaker?
ZJ: I was inspired to become a filmmaker because I’ve always loved to tell stories. I love making documentaries because you get tell real stories about real people.
HFF: What is something that you know about filmmaking now but you weren’t told when you started your career?
ZJ: I now know that filmmaking is hard. It takes a lot of talented people to make a film. You can’t do it all on your own, and you need to find like-minded collaborators.
HFF: What are some of your favorite movies? What’s your favorite worst movie (you know it’s bad, but still love it)?
ZJ: My favorite movie is The Fog of War. Couldn’t say what my favorite bad movie is.
HFF: How many film festivals has your film been a part of? What do you like the most about the festival experience?
ZJ: This is the first festival that we’ve been accepted to. I love the camaraderie that takes place at film fests.
See The Astronaut’s Secret in Shorts Program 10: Sci-Fi Shorts at the 2014 Heartland Film Festival:
- Saturday, Oct. 18 – 7:45 p.m. at AMC Castleton Square 14
- Wednesday, Oct. 22 – 6:00 p.m. at Wheeler Arts Community
- Friday, Oct. 24 – 11:15 a.m. at AMC Traders Point Showplace 12
- Saturday, Oct. 25 – 2:15 p.m. at AMC Traders Point Showplace 12
