'Love letter to Albuquerque': Jack Justice puts on directing hat for first time with 'Goatheads'

May 17—Jack Justice began his career in the film industry as a child.

With credits such as "Odd Thomas," "Stranger Things," "T@gged," "Preacher," "Roswell, New Mexico," among others, he's risen through the ranks in front of the camera.

Justice, who recently graduated from University of New Mexico with a film degree, decided to write and direct the Capstone Project called "Goatheads."

"I started writing the idea for a short film a few years ago," he says. "I took a gap year in college and during that time I was in a bad skateboarding accident. Recovering from it, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do."

Justice worked on the idea and script over the course of four years.

The short film is an Albuquerque adventure following the Ditchgoons.

After founding member and the skate crew's filmer, C-Bass, wakes up in a ditch beaten-up with no memory of the night before, things are fuzzy.

With guidance from a ditch-dweller, a damaged camera, and a skateboard, C-Bass must make things right with his crew and finish the goon's debut skate video.

"This is my love letter to Albuquerque," he says. "I grew up in the skateboard community here. We've all grown and it's such a tight-knit group of amazing people."

Justice also stars as C-Bass.

Justice was inspired by his skate crew and growing up in Albuquerque.

He says making the jump from actor to writing was a big deal.

"I've always been told to write what you know," he says. "I've been here my whole life and skateboarding introduced me to a different view of life in the city. The Albuquerque skate culture really formed who I am today."

Justice and crew filmed for three days at the end of 2023 during winter break from UNM.

"It was cold and we were filming in a ditch in Albuquerque," he says. "The past two semesters in school have been nonstop with working on the film. We were able to get together for three days and create something that is really special. I'm impressed by what we were able to pull off."

Justice says there are six primary cast members — four are Screen Actors Guild members.

"It was a union shoot and we made sure that everything was covered," he says. "There's some major stunts in the film and it all worked out."

Justice showed the film as part of a UNM end of year celebration.

He hopes to take "Goatheads" into the film festival circuit.

"I really want this film to be as big as it can get," he says. "Film is where I've always wanted to be. I'm done with school and will stay in New Mexico to work on all types of projects. There are plans that I hope we can push through and get done."

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