Jet van schie

I started as a film producer and photographer after graduating in 2005. Over the years I have been lucky enough to show my work in great places such as Galerie van Kranendonk, Paris Photo and Kunsthal Rotterdam. In 2009 I started "500Watt" together with Casper Rila and I have worked on many different projects and built up a large network. But now, in 2024, I have decided that it is time for something new.

I proudly introduce So-We, a special place where I create and support various creative projects, such as films, documentaries, art, marketing strategy and commercials. So-We is like a new start, which gives me the space to collaborate with different creatives more from my autonomous perspective.

Values

Open, DIrect, autonomous, Innovated, TransparEnt, People over profit, Feminine, Green, Social, organised, creative.

As an experienced producer, I excel in collaborative environments, valuing the unique contributions of each team member. With 15 years of experience in the sector, I have built up a large network of dedicated freelancers. At Sowe.com, my mission is to create meaningful content that prioritizes people over profit, promotes inclusivity and promotes sustainability.

The So-we style breaks with conventional norms and offers visually striking content that drives lasting engagement. My creative approach revolves around openness, directness and a well-organized creative process.

The production of films plays a crucial role in addressing complex issues. A short fiction film about socially relevant topics that affect everyone is an important consideration in my choice of productions. Films that break taboos raise awareness and encourage dialogue toward a more compassionate society. Beyond their educational value, films showcase the artistic power of cinema, making difficult subjects more accessible and relatable. Creating these kinds of films is essential for tackling societal issues and promoting understanding.

Clients

Urban life of trees / 2023

I often pass them carelessly, those trees — living beings that mean more to us than we realize. Maybe it's time to look and listen to them more consciously. What have they experienced, seen and heard?

In the middle of the city, trees are a refuge where I relax and connect with others. Their value in my urban environment is inestimable. Amid the city chaos, green spaces offer peace, an escape from the hustle and bustle and solace in the silence of nature.

Parks, gardens, and urban forests interrupt my fast-paced urban lifestyle. Seeing swaying trees, listening to birdsong, and the smell of flowers have a soothing effect, allowing me to recharge.

Nature in the city functions as a shared base, where people come together and find connection. Parks are meeting places where conversations arise, children play, and families picnic. Nature promotes community, breaks down barriers and encourages social interaction.

Melting Iceland / 2019

The melting glaciers in Iceland underscore our struggle to address climate change adequately.

Their retreat affects local ecosystems and water resources, highlighting the delicate balance of our interconnected planet.

Urgency calls for a shift from short-term to long-term solutions, acknowledging the lasting impact of our actions on future generations.

Iceland's melting glaciers serve as a wake-up call, challenging us to overcome cognitive biases and take collective responsibility for safeguarding the planet.

Only through immediate action and a shift to long-term thinking can we hope to tackle the monumental challenge of climate change.

#Iam13 / 2019

I am 13 years old. It's about how young people are currently developing both offline and online identities through the use of social media.

For each 13-year-old, I choose a different aspect of their lives to delve into, aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of who these young people are and what they do in Rotterdam. Where are they? Who do they hang out with? What do they value? In my work, I always try to create series and search for the common denominator. The themes in my work explore the boundary between reality and fantasy, as well as how our inner world manifests in our daily lives. How do we express ourselves? This includes how we decorate our rooms, how we dress, the traditions we follow, the habits we have, and the rituals we engage in.

In the #Iam13 project, alongside journalist and photographer Sanne Donders, I explore the online and offline identity of Rotterdam's 13-year-olds in an analog manner. This series is a collaboration between Erasmus University and Project Generation R, commissioned by the Rotterdam Image Fund.

Fantastic life /2016

Exploring the gap between reality and fantasy through imagery.

Within the context of my images, there is a compelling exploration of the gulf that separates our reality from our fantasies. This sentiment is especially resonant in the work that delves into alter egos, Life Acting Role Playing (LARPs), and STAR WARS characters. Each of these facets contributes to a dynamic investigation of the interplay between what we perceive as real and the worlds we conjure up in our imagination.

De Stoep /2015

Sidewalks contribute significantly to a street's visual character, but their success requires conscious effort, especially in an era of re-evaluation by government agencies and housing associations. "The Sidewalk" emphasizes that ongoing changes in urban areas offer new perspectives, particularly in transition zones.

Drawing on interviews, case studies, essays, and an analysis of over 6,000 streets in Rotterdam, the book explores the motivations behind personalizing sidewalks. It reveals the profound impact on social connections, privacy, and the overall streetscape.

In my visual essay, I explore the art of creating front yards aligned with our ideals. This design represents how we envision structuring our nation and translating our values into a natural division within a compact plot. Our personal territory, akin to a microcosm of our country, provides a sense of security, where we establish unchanging standards and principles. This realm is our haven, where our beliefs are unwavering and our authority reigns supreme.

Small world / 2005

Children's graves reveal a poignant continuity of play beyond death. Toys, cuddly toys, and figurines are arranged as if the child has just stepped away, creating a presence in their absence. The deliberate staging of these tombscape game scenarios elevates them beyond ordinary objects, transcending the mundane.

Each miniature world carries a personal touch, reflecting the hand of the grieving survivors and capturing the essence of the departed child. While personal symbols may elude casual observers, they speak volumes to those who create these scenes. Questions arise: Is an imaginary moment frozen in this small space? Does the still life serve as a monument to the child's memory, lost in play or called away? Elements like wind and rain contribute to the evolving game, causing things to weather and perish, subtly fading the memory over time.

Fondamento Nuova /2003

Sigmund Freud's essay 'Transience' (1915) reflects with the images I made of overgrown graves.

As I observe the overgrown graves, I am reminded of Freud's assertion that change and decay are inherent to our human experience. The process that causes the graves to darken over time reflects the transient essence of all things in life.

Freud's insights also extend to the realm of memory and human connections. Just as the elements endure the physical graves, the memories also fade and lose their clarity over time. The essay's exploration of how cherished memories gradually lose their sharpness and vividness resonates deeply as I gaze at these overgrown resting places.