ALUMNI UPDATE

Alumni Update: Jody Lee Lipes

KATELYNN CONNOLLY

I had the pleasure of connecting with Jody Lee Lipes ‘96 earlier this year to catch up and learn where his path has taken him since he was last featured in Seedlings, in its 2017 Spring issue.

Jody has recently completed two major projects showcasing his cinematography talents. The first was a little full-length feature film—perhaps you’ve heard of it?— called “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (AKA The Mr. Rogers’ Movie). The second is “I Know This Much Is True,” a soon-to-be released HBO miniseries, starring Mark Ruffalo, that focuses on mental health and family.

Jody struck me as humble, grounded and focused on the “bigger” picture. I asked him how he maintains his composure while working with Hollywood A-listers in a high pressure, intense work environment. He referred to his time in Meeting during his years at BFS and the practice of reflection it instilled — how he learned to stay in the stillness, listening to his inner voice and finding peace. He calls on this discipline while on set. When things are chaotic and tense, he considers the larger issues at play and the morality in the room, knowing that these will help him to find a way to move forward in his work.

Now a father, Jody looks to the future with hope but also trepidation—what will this world be like for his children? He believes that his Quaker education has given him a solid foundation for navigating the best path forward for his children and family, while following his passion for telling stories that matter and positively affect others. “If it is not life-affirming, then it’s not good” is a message he has learned – and one he now passes on to his children, and those around him.