Slide GETTING OVER A FILM BY JASON CHARNICK ImpactDOCS Laurel White SF DocFest Laurel White SXSW Laurel White IMFF Laurel White
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director

Jason Charnick

Starting at Wilshire Court Productions in 1999, Jason cut his teeth in the post department on the early James Franco film, At Any Cost. While there, he partnered up with writer/director Peter Sullivan (Jersey Shore Shark Attack, High School Possession) to produce the wildly successful short film, Stephen King’s Night Surf, one in a long line of King’s Dollar Baby film projects.

 

Following a brief departure to Silicon Valley to work for Apple Computer’s renowned Pro Apps Division, Jason returned to Los Angeles to work for Technicolor, one of the entertainment industry’s largest purveyors of post-production services. In 2004, with his independent spirit getting the better of him, Jason struck out on his own, editing various projects for many of Hollywood’s elite, as well as creating workflows for the popular show, Robot Chicken.

 

He returned to feature films in 2006, working on such blockbusters as The A-Team, Cabin In The Woods, and Ted, as well as highly-rated TV shows Dollhouse & The Voice. Never to stray far from his roots, he spent time during these projects to write and direct his own independent shorts 5:19 To Molina and Close, But No Cigar. After working on so many projects for others, he is finally ready to face his family’s past and his own future by presenting to you… Getting Over.

getting over

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what they say

  • This film is an intimate mediation on what it means to finally understand the humanity of your parents. The sometimes clunky narrative is framed by a very personal portrait of a family affected by persistent trauma. If you enjoyed the emotional content of Kulap V. 's "Origin Story", the depth of this film will appeal to you. Overall a great long form doc.

    Amazon Prime Viewer

  • What I liked about this is that we all look at pictures from our childhood and eventually learn the reality behind the relationships among our family members which we were unaware of at the time the picture was taken. But to be able to fill in such incredibly meaningful voids in one's life from looking at old videos is a gift to this son which is a rarity. Because it's so relatable, I suggest you watch it. Is it action-filled, sensational, filled with edgy music and visual effects? Nope. It's reality, not an entertainment piece. It causes us all to be introspective yet understanding of the world outside our own. Very nice job.

    Anastasia Bieberhousen

  • This is an excellent documentary made by a son to try to better understand the father he never knew. It is a compelling, emotional and well done film that helps the viewer come to their own understanding of addiction and how it's victims are as worthy of respect as anyone else. Powerful.

    IMDb User Review

  • This was an extremely respectful and loving documentary of a man's father, parents and entire family really that honestly didn't deserve to be memorialized with such dignity. Kudos to the uncle for everything he's done despite such adversity and this young man! As a person that works with people that struggle with mental health and substance abuse in NY I learned from this documentary and as a person that has family members that struggle with both I empathize.

    Brooke L McLymond

  • If you like old archived footage and interviews with interesting people, this is a great documentary to watch. It's really an amazing thing when someone takes the time to interview and tape interesting people, keep that archived footage for decades, and then bring that footage into the future. This is an open and honest take on a man's life, and it's worth watching. I really enjoyed this film.

    Marcus & Sarah Perry

  • The son in this documentary is proof of the power of resilient people to grow where they are planted and thrive. I was fascinated by this film, and by the older brother's impulse to film his younger brother in the last days of his life. That film footage was such a gift to his nephew, and ultimately to us. Unfortunately, pain and dysfunction is intergenerational, until someone like Jason breaks the cycle. I was invested in this story until the end. I felt compassion for Jason's father and uncle, and never judged either of them for the choices they made. Very thought-provoking. Well done.

    Amazon Prime Viewer

  • A must watch!!! "You have to feel to heal" and this Film will allow so many other people to start their healing process or the chance to connect and see things clearly. You have created a lifetime of being able to see the ripple effects from sharing and creating awareness. Finding forgiveness and understanding is the reason we are all here. We're on this journey together and you've done a beautiful job at making sense and moving forward! Congrats!

    Jaret Martino

  • This story hits right in the heart with its honesty. It shows what addiction really does to families, and even how some of us land in those spots.

    Michelle Storie

  • Thank you for sharing this story, Jason. It was a very brave and honest story to share. I hope many who have had similar struggles can relate and have meaningful conversations with their families after watching.

    Amazon Prime Viewer

  • Thought-provoking exploratory documentary about understanding family. What we often don’t realize or understand is that we carry around our stories, which inform our choices, world views and opinions. If we examine the lives of our families with courage and honesty we can fill in gaps in our own understanding, changing our unconscious narratives. This documentary is very well-made and encourages viewers to see the power of compassion and the change that comes from understanding.

    Amazon Prime Viewer

  • I found this documentary to be insightful and raw. There are many families who have generational struggles all over the world. Thank you for showing us a look inside yours, I can definitely connect with is documentary.

    IMDb User Review