Jeremiah S. Chechik Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for an award for outstanding directorial achievement in movies for television or miniseries by the Directors Guild of America in 2008 for "The Bronx Is Burning․"
• Quote: "Actors are actors․ I never consider their fame, only who they are and what they need to deliver their best work․"
• Quote: "As a director on a show I am but one piece of a larger machine which exists to serve the show․ On a film the responsibility of tone, pace, performance, quality and effect is under the purview of the director․ There is a lot more pressure․"
• Quote: "I was and remain very much an early adopter and love the control of image on the set and the way digital embraces the shadows․ But I still miss the simplicity and grace of the celluloid image․"
• Quote: "In drama one could hide behind technique, kinetics, music and photography and mood but in comedy you either laugh or you don't․"
• Quote: "Television is like a polaroid․ It's fast, immediate and currently where all the best writing lives․"
• Best known for directing "Christmas Vacation," "Benny & Joon," the 1996 remake of "Diabolique" and 1998's "The Avengers․"
• Purchased the screen rights to "House of Night" from authors P․C․ Cast and Kristin Cast in 2008 with producer Michael Birnbaum
• Heard the story of Lucha Reyes that would be turned into "La reina de la note" in a bar in Mexico City and decided it must be a film
• Stated that he enjoys making westerns and that one of his films that he is most proud of is a little-seen western called "Tall Tale․"