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“I wanted to become a movie director after I saw the movie Deer Hunter when I was eleven years old. I always wanted to give that feeling that I experienced as a kid to others,” vividly remembers the Philadelphia native, Jeff Hare. 

Talking from his home in Los Angeles on a Sunday afternoon, Jeff Hare reflects on his career..... from ABC news journalist to lowly production assistant on Tommy Conwell’s “I’m Not Your Man”  music video to a budding career as a writer and director of commercials and feature films. 

You were on the set for the filming of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumbler’s first video, “I’m Not Your Man” in 1989. What are your recollections?

I grew up in Philadelphia and went to college at Penn State I was not a Tommy Conwell fan at all!  I really enjoyed the music of the A’s and Beru Revue.  The video for “I’m Not Your Man,” was shot at the 23 East Cabaret in Ardmore.  I was a lowly production assistant. I believe the video was directed by David Hogan. (Mr. Hogan’s other directorial highlights include the infamous Barb Wire starring Pamela Anderson). 

Let me tell you, filming a music video is a long day…..about seventeen hours. It’s the pits!  The artist must do the song over and over again. The thing that impressed me about Tommy and the band was that they kept their enthusiasm up the whole time.  Many of the bands retire to the backstage area and sort of wait it out while the extras are left hanging around.  

Tommy came out during a break in filming and did a fuckin’ BRILLIANT twenty-minute blues jam.  It was so organic as he was walking on the bar. I was blown away by Tommy’s blues chops. He played this BB King-like stuff for himself and the extras. I was really impressed and it was the first time that I became a fan.  

I suppose in our MTV and VH1 dominated culture, the role of “Music Video Director” sounds really important. What is your opinion?

The hours are the worst! The pay is of the lowest! However, the benefit as a director is to have a chance to visually explore your craft. I worked with some other bands including Billy Squier, Poison, Diana Ross, and Patty Labelle. Each band is different which makes the production process quite challenging. Some of the bands were nightmares! Tommy Conwell and Billy Squire were good guys in my opinion. 

How does someone become a film director?

There really is no career ladder. I sort of lucked into it. My career actually started as a journalist with ABC news in Carney, Nebraska. I did on-air reporting for about eight months. When I moved to Los Angeles, I had a funny first job. I was the driver for Denzel Washington for about three days. He was great!  Do you remember the Dr. Shock episodes from television? I loved the old classic horror films from the 1950’s. Creepy, bold, and colorful……Really weird movies!  Every director has an innate style whether they have twenty minutes or twenty years of experience.

Tell me about your upcoming feature film called “Bad Hands.”

Assuming that all the financing falls into place, production is expected in late Fall or early Winter. The film will be shot in Philly and South Jersey. The film is about card manipulators who are legendary con men. If you saw Ocean’s Eleven, this film is a little dark and has been compared more to Resevoir Dogs. I expect this film to be submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. 

How would you resurrect the career of Tommy Conwell if you were asked to shoot his next video?

It’s tough making videos for music that you do not understand. What would I have to offer Limp Bizkit?  I am a huge fan of Tom Waits!  I was checking out your website and I noticed that Tommy looks different…….He's bald.  This could make him more intriguing from a visual perspective. I noticed he plays at the Grape Street Pub.  When I am in town for production I will have go to a gig. I was certainly blown away by his blues chops. What does his music sound like today?