Charles Jacob (Jake) Bistrong, age 26, passed away peacefully June 8, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Born in Cincinnati, OH, he was raised in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. His optimism, love, humor, practical jokes, passion, and deep friendships will forever live on for his beloved family and many, many friends.
Jake was a film producer, director, and writer, working on his first short film, Red Line, which won the 2020 Independent Shorts Award Los Angeles. The film is a true story, based on Jake's own experience, about a subway commuter who tries to avoid unwanted attention and, in doing so, fails to notice a dying homeless man right beside him.
The production of the nearly finished film continued after his passing, and has since been completed in his memory.
Working With Jake…
“… Jake put everything into this film, and I really mean everything. He'd always tell me "Everyone keeps telling me my first film is going to be terrible, that's just how it's going to be. I believe everything they're saying about how hard it is, and that's why I'm going to do literally anything I can (and surround myself with whomever I can) to overcome the odds, tell this story, and make something impactful… Jake was never afraid of confronting challenges in society, and when he felt he "failed", he felt no other option than to make a short film about it. That ethos and that film, this film, still stick with me and impact me every day…” Read more— Parker Wilf
“He (Jake) approached me on the street, we chatted about his project and he gave me a copy of the script. This is not an uncommon experience in LA… but Jake was very different. He was polite, not pushy and his desire to learn struck me immediately…I emailed (these) notes to Jake and soon after a new draft arrived with my notes incorporated with real skill… It gave me a deep sense of pride watching Jake progress as a filmmaker… Jake was a fine young man who I’m proud to have had the chance to work with.” — Ralph Ineson
Words from His Loved Ones…
“Our family lost one the most vibrant souls. Jake Bistrong was one of the most driven people I’ve known. He was so charismatic and passionate. In his short 26 years of life, he left behind an incredible legacy.”
“Jake Bistrong was the most passionate, curious, driven, and sensitive human everyone who encountered him would ever meet. He was the funniest person I’ve ever met.”
“Jake was charismatic, curious, had a huge heart, joyful and determined. I regret not telling him how unbelievably proud I am of him for chasing and achieving his dream of becoming a screenwriter and director. Jake’s legacy will live on in his film.”