Jan Jacob-baak

Jan Jacob-baak

letting go

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Jan Jacob in a warm, cinematic kitchen setting, discussing life with chronic Lyme disease, soft natural light enhancing textures

Jan Jacob walking through lush Scottish highland fields, deep greens and a moody sky creating a filmic look

Close-up of a vintage meat slicer cutting home-cured bacon, rich reds and deep shadows adding cinematic depth

Rustic chicken coop adorned with animal skulls, earthy tones and organic textures creating a raw aesthetic

Jan Jacob closing a gate in his field, deep greens and a brooding sky amplifying the cinematic atmosphere

Jan Jacob walking away from the closed gate, the vast landscape unfolding behind him in rich tones

Jan Jacob approaching the gate, moody, stormy feel, typical of the Scottish highlands

Aerial shot of Jan Jacob's Land Rover winding through the vast Glen Roy

A wider aerial view of Glen Roy, scale and light interplay creating an expansive, cinematic feel

Even wider shot of Glen Roy, soft light sculpting the valley, emphasising grandeur and atmosphere

Aerial view of Jan Jacob’s highland home, golden light bathing the landscape in a soft, inviting tone

Jan Jacob carrying freshly collected eggs through his garden, rich greens and his dense red shirt creating depth

Close-up of Jan Jacob’s hands holding fresh eggs, textural details enhanced by soft, natural light

Another moment from the intimate interview scene, warm kitchen tones complementing his honesty and openness

A similar angle from the same kitchen interview, subtle shadows adding depth and richness

Jan Jacob striding through a vast field, cinematic colour grading accentuating lush textures

Thoughtful moment at his building site, shadows and muted highlights shaping the weight of his reflection

Close-up of Jan Jacob sharpening a saw blade, sparks flying, intense contrast enhancing drama

Wider shot of Jan Jacob in the workshop, minimal light emphasising the airborne sparks

Walking alongside the chicken coop, Jan-Jacob's dense red shirt popping against lush green tones

Under a giant oak tree in the moody highland landscape, deep shadows adding visual depth

Jan Jacob’s weathered hand gripping a walking stick, textures emphasised in a rich, earthy palette

An earlier moment beneath the oak tree, softened light filtering through the branches

Interior shot of Jan Jacob driving his Land Rover through the staggering Glen Roy

In a stunning farmhouse kitchen, enjoying a scone with jam, filmic tones adding warmth and nostalgia

Close-up of hands holding open pages, deep shadows and warm highlights creating an intimate, cinematic feel

Medium shot of Jan-Jacob reading, soft light from the window adding warmth and depth

Extreme close-up of Jan-Jacob reading, the soft light wrapping his almost silhouetted face

Wider angle of Jan-Jacob reading, shadows and highlights creating a cozy ambiance

An even wider shot of Jan-Jacob in the reading room, the soft colour palette evoking nostalgia

Scottish Highlands landscape, trees and fields bathed in soft moody light

Wider shot of Jan-Jacob slicing bacon, the natural light wrapping around his silhouette

Portrait of Jan-Jacob standing in front of his family home, earthy hues and soft contrast

June, Jan-Jacob’s border collie, lying in front of the warm glow of the wood-fired Aga

Aerial top-down shot of Jan-Jacob’s Land Rover winding through the dramatic roads of Glen Roy

Whale bones and deer skulls adorning the farmhouse outbuilding, adding to the rustic aesthetic

Jan-Jacob winding up a red electrical cable on the building site, the rich red adding a striking contrast

When life falls apart, how do you find the strength to rebuild? Letting Go follows Jan Jacob’s journey with chronic Lyme disease and its co-infections, exploring the resilience required to navigate decades of physical and psychological challenges. From undiagnosed tick bites in his youth in the Netherlands to years of misdiagnoses, isolation, and alternative treatments, Jan Jacob reflects on the realities of living with a condition that has shaped his life
Amidst the struggles, he finds solace and purpose in the art of repair- whether restoring a beloved Land Rover, maintaining his home in the Scottish Highlands, or simply taking life one day at a time. The film is a testament to persistence, the beauty of understanding what you can control, and the courage to keep moving forward
One of a three part series shot across Scotland
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The Colour Grade
The grade needed to reflect both the weight of Jan Jacob’s experiences and the hope he carries. This wasn’t a bright, easy story- life is tough, and we wanted the audience to feel that. At the same time, it was important to bring warmth and optimism into the moments that called for it, ensuring the underlying sense of hope remained present
We spent time in pre-production developing a Show LUT to guide creative and technical choices on set, bringing us closer to the final look earlier in the process. This allowed our studio sessions to focus on refining each shot within a look we already loved
Shot on Sony FX6 with vintage Olympus lenses and DJI Mavic drone
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Production Co: Pixillion
Director & DoP: Remco Merbis
Colourist: Iain Pennington