Not Your Average Joe - A feature-length documentary

Hi,

My name is Jamie, and I'm the co-director of "Not Your Average Joe" — a feature-length documentary celebrating the life and career of Joe Alves, the visionary production designer behind some of cinema’s most iconic films, including Jaws, CloseEncounters of the Third Kind, and Escape from New York. Joe's groundbreaking work, especially on Jaws, helped redefine production design and left an indelible mark on film history.

Our documentary explores Joe's incredible career, featuring interviews with Hollywood collaborators and examining the lasting influence of his work on generations of filmmakers.

Back in March 2022 (see our earlier trailer here ) and again 2023, Paddy Tyndall (co-director) and I were able to shoot extensively with Joe and several of his collaborators in and around Los Angeles and as far afield as Arizona. We were lucky enough to interview Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Greg Nicotero, Kevin Pike, Roy Arbogast, Jerri Lauridsen and more...

Those trips were only possible because we were already in the U.S. working on other jobs at the time, so our flights and kit costs were covered.

The core of the documentary is now “in the can,” as they say.

Now we need your help for the final push.

---

Why We Need Your Support

As we approach the 50th anniversary of Jaws, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has emerged: to capture exclusive footage and interviews at the commemorative events on Martha's Vineyard — where the film was originally shot in 1974.

This final shoot would include:

• New interviews with Joe Alves and other key figures from the production, including Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Marty Milner, and Jeffrey Voorhees.
• Coverage of Jaws 2 guests — Joe shot second unit and served as production designer and associate producer on the sequel.
• Behind-the-scenes access to anniversary exhibitions and events.
• Filming on original Jaws locations Joe helped scout and design.

This trip would provide essential visual and narrative material to complete the film and connect Joe’s legacy with the enduring impact of Jaws.

---

Where the Money Goes

Independent filmmaking isn’t easy — and we’re a team of just two. Your support will help cover:

• Travel costs (flights, ferry, rental car).
• Accommodation and local transport on Martha’s Vineyard — by far the biggest expense.
• Equipment hire — we’ll be renting a few key pieces locally.

Every donation makes a real difference and brings us closer to sharing Joe’s story with the world.

---

️Let’s Celebrate a Cinematic Legend

By supporting Not Your Average Joe, you’re helping us shine a light on one of the unsung heroes of modern cinema. Let’s honour the legacy of Joe Alves — the man who helped bring Bruce the shark (and so much more) to life.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing.

------------------

There will be no sweepstakes, giveaways. No returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

I, Jamie Benning, am the beneficiary of any funds raised in this campaign.

The donations will be spent on travel, accomodation and kit hire for our Martha's Vineyard, Jaws 50th shoot.

Funds raised will be directly transferred to me, Jamie Benning and spent solely on this project.