Writer • Director • Actor

About

 

Jake Van Wagoner…

…is a director, writer, and producer whose work is defined by clarity of vision, strong collaboration, and a consistent focus on story. He is best known for his debut feature Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and was awarded Best of Fest. The film marked the arrival of a filmmaker with a distinct voice and a disciplined approach to character-driven storytelling.

For the past five years, Jake has served as Showrunner and Executive Producer of the hit sketch comedy series Studio C, overseeing more than 70 episodes. In that role, he has led writers rooms, directed talent, managed production teams, and delivered episodes on schedule while maintaining a clear creative identity for the show.

As a producer, Jake has been involved in over 20 feature films and extensive television work across multiple genres. He is known for his ability to guide projects from early development through production and delivery, balancing creative ambition with practical execution. His strength lies in seeing the full picture of a project and helping teams make smart decisions that serve both the story and the audience.

As a director, Jake brings a performance-forward sensibility and a strong command of tone. His work often grounds larger concepts in emotional truth, whether in comedy, drama, or genre storytelling. He is equally comfortable directing intimate character moments and managing large-scale productions, a combination that has made him well suited for ambitious narrative projects, including historical and period-driven work.

Jake continues to develop and produce film and television projects with an emphasis on strong writing, clear leadership, and collaborative filmmaking. Jake has also gotten very proficiant at speaking in the third person.