The Creative Process: Finding Comfort in the Discomfort
In this intimate and thought-provoking moderated conversation, Academy Award and Tony-nominated actor JAKE GYLLENHAAL gives insight into the intricate craft of storytelling across film, theater, and beyond. Drawing from his extensive career as both a performer and producer, Gyllenhaal offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, the evolution of his iconic roles, and his collaborative work with some of the world’s most visionary directors and actors.
With his passion for storytelling at the core of his work, Gyllenhaal explores the intersection of acting, producing, and the power of narrative to shape culture. He reflects on his transformative experiences in both Broadway and Hollywood, including his roles in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Nightcrawler, Brokeback Mountain, and Sea Wall / A Life.
This conversation is a deep dive into the commitment to craft that has defined Gyllenhaal's career, the lessons he has learned along the way, and how storytelling can drive meaningful change in the world. Perfect for audiences interested in the artistry of performance, the nuances of creative collaboration, and the inspiring journey of one of entertainment’s most respected voices.
Key Discussion Points:
Join Jake Gyllenhaal for a compelling and candid conversation about the craft that has shaped his exceptional career and continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Jake Gyllenhaal is an Academy Award and Tony nominated actor, as well as a producer of note with his company Nine Stories. Alongside Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, Gyllenhaal starred in Sony Pictures highest grossing film of all time, Jon Watt’s’ Spider-Man: Far From Home; Ang Lee's classic Brokeback Mountain, for which he received an Oscar® nomination and won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor; Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler, for which he received Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominations; Bong Joon Ho’s Okja; David Ayer’s End of Watch; Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw; Dennis Villeneuve’s Prisoners and Enemy; Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko; David Fincher's Zodiac; Sam Mendes' Jarhead; Nicole Holofcener's Lovely and Amazing; Ed Zwick's Love and Other Drugs, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination, and Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals, for which he earned a BAFTA nomination. His stage work on Broadway includes the Tony nominated "Sea Wall / A Life" (Tony nomination Best Actor, Drama League Award) ; "Sunday in the Park with George;" "Constellations" (Drama Desk Award); and "Little Shop of Horrors." Off-Broadway includes "If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet"; and on the West End, "This is Our Youth" (Evening Standard Award). Gyllenhaal re-teamed with director Antoine Fuqua and starred in The Guilty for Netflix, which Nine Stories produced.
Nine Stories produced Antonio Campos’ The Devil All The Time for Netflix starring Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Mia Wasikowska, and Robert Pattinson, and Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Good Joe Bell starring Mark Wahlberg, Connie Britton, and Gary Sinise. Nine Stories has produced Paul Dano’s Wildlife; David Gordon Green’s Stronger; and executive produced the documentary Hondros. Gyllenhaal also produced End of Watch and Nightcrawler, the latter of which earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. For the stage, Nine Stories produced the Broadway revival of "Sunday in the Park with George", "Sea Wall / A Life" (4 Tony nominations including Best Play and Best Actor for Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge), David Cale’s "We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time", and the Broadway debut of Jeremy O Harris’ groundbreaking Tony-nominated "Slave Play" (12 nominations). Both “Slave Play” and “Sea Wall / A Life” received 16 Tony nominations combined for the 2020 Broadway season—both received nods for Best Play.
My Speaker List
