Jason Blum

Biography

Jason Ferus Blum, born on February 20, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, is a highly influential American film and television producer. He is the founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions, a company that has revolutionized the horror genre and the independent film landscape with its unique, cost-effective production model.

Early Life and Career:

Blum's exposure to the art world began early, as the son of art professor Shirley Neilsen Blum and independent art dealer Irving Blum. He graduated from Vassar College in New York in 1991, where he was a roommate with future filmmaker Noah Baumbach, whose first film, Kicking and Screaming (1995), he would later produce.

His career in the film industry officially began as a producing director at the Malaparte theater company in New York, founded by Ethan Hawke. He then worked as an executive for Miramax Films, where he was instrumental in acquiring over 50 films. This experience provided him with valuable insights into film development, production, and distribution.

Founding Blumhouse Productions and the Micro-Budget Model:

In 2000, Jason Blum founded Blumhouse Productions, a company that would change the game for genre filmmaking. Frustrated with the traditional studio system and its high costs, Blum pioneered a "micro-budget" model. This approach involves producing high-quality films with very low budgets (often under $5 million), giving directors significant creative control, and incentivizing talent with a percentage of prospective profits rather than large upfront fees.

The success of Paranormal Activity (2007), made for just $15,000 and grossing nearly $200 million worldwide, served as the ultimate proof of concept for Blumhouse's innovative strategy. This film's immense profitability allowed the company to flourish.

Blumhouse's Impact and Notable Works:

Blumhouse Productions has since become synonymous with successful horror franchises and critically acclaimed films. Their horror empire includes:

• Paranormal Activity franchise
• Insidious franchise
• The Purge franchise
• Halloween franchise (reboot)
• Sinister franchise

Beyond horror, Blumhouse has also produced acclaimed dramas and thrillers, demonstrating Blum's eye for compelling storytelling across genres. Notable non-horror films include:

• Whiplash (2014) - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• Get Out (2017) - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• BlacKkKlansman (2018) - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Blum has also made significant strides in television, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie for The Normal Heart (2014) and an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series for The Jinx (2015).

In January 2024, Blumhouse Productions merged with James Wan's Atomic Monster, further solidifying their dominance in the horror market. Jason Blum continues to be a driving force in Hollywood, constantly seeking out innovative stories and challenging conventional filmmaking norms, proving that big scares and big profits can come from small budgets.