Official Portfolio — 2026
Acting / Filmmaking / Music
Award-Winning Actor, Filmmaker & Musician
An actor with a filmmaker’s eye, and a musician’s rhythm.
00 / Introduction
Jaren Hodder is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and musician with a sharp instinct for character, comedy, and emotionally grounded performance. Acting first, he brings a filmmaker’s eye for story and a musician’s sense of rhythm to sincere leading roles, dry comedy, heightened worlds, and characters with an unexpected edge.
Meet Jaren01 / Acting
Primary Reel
A curated two-minute cut of my strongest on-camera moments.
Alex
Alex is trying to move on with Maya, but one phone call from his best friend, Lena, changes everything. "Still Ringing" explores the thin, painful line between friendship and emotional infidelity.
★ Best Actor - Mesa Film Festiva
Jaren
A psychological short about an artist confronting a harsher version of himself. Written, directed, edited and performed by Jaren, the film explores ambition, self-doubt and the danger of waiting for permission.
Interviewer
Maggie Crystal (Played by Maureen O'Conner), is a mockumentary created under a three-hour production challenge. I wrote, directed and appear as the increasingly bewildered interviewer attempting to document an eccentric performer.
02 / Music
Released as The Jaren
The Jaren
This is my most recent music video, where I cover Cocoa Hooves by the band Glass Animals. The music itself was remixed by the wonderful Ms.Mo, while I did all of the vocals for the track.
The Jaren
This is one of the first full production music video's I've created, where I cover the song Crown Victoria, originally produced by the great Sean Mcverry. The audio track was remixed by the wonderful Ms.Mo, while I provided the vocals and visual direction for the project.
The Jaren
This is the first music video/cover I've ever made, in which I attempt to completely recreate the song "How the World Works" shot for shot, from Bo Burnham's Comedy Special, INSIDE. I completed the music production, filming, and editing of this video on my own within 24 hours, and it won Best Music Video at the Mesa Film Festival in 2026.
★ Best Music Video - Mesa Film Festival 2026
03 / Credits
04 / Profiles
05 / Contact
For auditions, bookings, creative collaborations, and professional inquiries, send a message below. Your inquiry will be delivered to Jaren and his management.
Contact Page
