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Cutting Corners

A film about the fight against unsafe construction.

  • Jason Sherman
    Director
    The King's Highway, The Bucks County Massacre
  • Jason Sherman
    Writer
    The King's Highway, The Bucks County Massacre
  • Jason Sherman
    Producer
    The King's Highway, The Bucks County Massacre
  • Venise Whitaker
    Producer
  • David Rubenstein
    Original Music By
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, activist
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 27 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 8, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival
    Malibu, CA
    United States
    October 4, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Documentary - Best Film
  • Pinnacle Film Awards
    Hollywood Hills, CA
    United States
    November 2, 2021
    World Premiere
    Best Feature Documentary
Director Biography - Jason Sherman

Jason Sherman's journey in the world of film is as diverse and multifaceted as his cultural heritage. Raised in a Spanish-Ukrainian household, Jason's unique blend of cultural experiences has been a driving force behind his dynamic approach to filmmaking. He has carved a niche in the industry with his distinctive storytelling style, marked by a deep understanding of varied human experiences. His films, celebrated for their authenticity and creativity, reflect a life lived at the crossroads of different cultures and perspectives.

As an award-winning filmmaker and director, Jason’s first film, "The Bucks County Massacre," won the Audience Choice Award at the 2011 New Hope Film Festival. This thrilling work was later released with a new director's cut in 2020, achieving global distribution through All Channel Films. It is also currently licensed by Magnolia Pictures, and was broadcast on Comcast and Xfinity TV channels in 2015 to 30 million households, reflecting its widespread appeal.

In "The King's Highway," Jason captured the essence of historical documentary filmmaking. This feature won the Best Feature Documentary at the 2016 FirstGlance Philadelphia Film Festival as well as the Preservation Education Award at the 2018 Preservation Achievement Awards. It also aired on WHYY/PBS along with Comcast and Verizon channels for the entire 2017 and 2018 television seasons. The documentary's success was further bolstered by its global distribution, managed by Indie Rights.

Jason's documentary "Cutting Corners" has also garnered critical acclaim, including the 2021 Pinnacle Film Festival Best Feature Documentary Award and the 2021 Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival Best Feature Documentary Award. Distributed globally by All Channel Films, this documentary stands as a testament to Sherman's skill in crafting impactful cinematic narratives.

Beyond his film work, Jason extends his talents to educating others, having conducted workshops at UPenn's Wharton School of Business, and contributing his insights on Fox’s Emmy award-winning show, Xploration Earth 2050.

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Director Statement

As a child, I was always thinking outside the box and coming up with different ways to tell a story. My unique style was obvious right away to my teachers, classmates, family, and friends. Whether I was writing a short story, creating music, or playing around with a camera to film something I found interesting, I was always a curious person. I wanted my stories to touch people in the same way that they affected me. When I create a sequence, or compose a piece of music to add to a moment in a film, and it brings me to tears or fills me with joy; that’s the magical moment that I’m searching for when I create a film.

This film forced me to feel the pain that others are going through, while making sure I help them tell their story. The topics have encouraged me to look beyond the surface, and find undertones to propel the story forward using an aesthetic approach. Hearing the struggles of each character, and seeing their courage to come forward and tell their stories, has undoubtedly inspired me. If I can turn their pain into a warning for others, then my job will have been done.

Success for me has never been financial, instead it has been the response I get from audiences about my last film. Daily messages that I receive via social media or email tell me stories of folks who I helped bring memories back to life. The message in my film resonated with audiences in ways I never thought possible. That is the true meaning of success.

One of my favorite quotes that always hit close to home comes from Benjamin Franklin, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and
success have no meaning.”

I feel as though my whole life has been just that, continual growth and progress. Making sure that I continue to be the best version of myself as possible and learning from my mistakes along the way.

One of the most formidable challenges during this production has been the amount of people who were too afraid to speak on camera. Whether they were in the middle of a lawsuit, signed an NDA after a settlement, or fearful of losing their job, I’ve had to carefully navigate the intricacies of the real estate world. Thankfully, there were plenty of people willing to speak on camera, and they have been the focal point of the film.