There was very little sleep for Colonel Jack Jacobs this past weekend when he traveled to Austin, Texas to deliver a keynote address at a special New York Film Academy (NYFA) filmmaking master class. The workshop was held for Texas military veterans, and their family members, on Saturday, April 14.
Colonel Jacobs left New York City Friday midday and upon arrival Austin was immediately whisked to the broadcast studio. He was in extremely high demand to provide live on-air commentary about the Friday launch of U.S. missiles into Syria — after all, Colonel Jacobs is the military strategist for NBC/MSNBC in addition to his role as the NYFA’s Chair of the Veterans Advancement Program.
Long past midnight Saturday, Colonel Jacobs wrapped a final segment on the Brian Williams Show before being dropped off at his hotel. At 4 a.m., he was picked up again by the studio to prepare for additional live television coverage of the unfolding events in Syria and Washington, DC. At 8 a.m. he rushed to the Austin Convention Center, where he gave an impassioned talk to the crowd of veterans
Stephanie Whallon, Incentive Program Manager, Texas Film Commission
who were there to attend the NYFA master class workshop.
“Having spent more than 20 years in the army, some of it during active combat duty, I honed the art of doing all that duty requires — no matter how little rest I have,” stated Colonel Jacobs. “Going to a NYFA event, and talking with the outstanding men and women who have served in the military in defense of our nation, is energizing to me!”
The April 14 NYFA workshop was held in collaboration with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), Texas Film Commission (TFC), and the City of Austin. The Mayor of Austin, Steve Adler, proclaimed April 14 as New York Film Academy Day, and a commemorative proclamation was presented to Colonel Jacobs, who accepted the honor on behalf of the New York Film Academy leadership.