Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author, and media strategist who wrote the book Think Outside the Box Office. His company, 8 Above, creates custom audience-building strategies, theatrical experiences, and digital release campaigns for independent feature and documentary films. Reiss has consulted with hundreds of filmmakers and film organizations throughout the world, including The Gotham, IDA, Screen Australia, Film Independent, and Creative Scotland. Clients include Sabbath Queen, Food & Country, The Ride Ahead, The Body Politic, Sam Now, The First Step, Two Gods, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, and Hooligan Sparrow.
He has conducted his Master Classes on six continents and helped create and run the IFP/Gotham Filmmaker Lab for ten years. He recently created the 8 Above Distribution Lab to teach filmmakers how to distribute and market their films. For more information: 8above.com
Jon got started in filmmaking and distribution at the infamous San Francisco documentary collective Target Video. He not only shot seminal bands such as Black Flag, Iggy Pop, Throbbing Gristle, and The Cramps but was also one of the first—if not the first person—to conceptualize and execute video tours throughout Europe, carting 500 lbs. of video deck and projector in a VW Bus across 15,000 miles.