We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jay Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jay , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
At the onset of the pandemic, I decided to create, write, and produce contemporary and experimental short films, leading to my business, Blue Jay Production Company LLC. The purpose of my company is to highlight independent artists and creators, like myself, who want to showcase their talents to the world, and not wait for their debut role in the film industry. I decided to create my independent films with great quality cinematography, writers, directors, and actors. I aspire to create my films and bring something new to the film industry. I believe my purpose is to leave a legacy in this new generation of filmmakers, producers, and actors with new, fresh faces; bring a creative spirit; and inspire others with powerful cultural storytelling starring BIPOC characters in various genres.
Blue Jay Production Company specializes in documentary filmmaking and spec ads. We own an additional company under Blue Jay Production Company, Blue Jay Media, that specializes in spec ads. My co-producer, Ethan Green, and I had an epiphany on why we should specialize in spec ads. We knew that making short films would not bring in enough capital for the company. We needed to find a way to bring in steady capital income for the company so that we could continue to make better films and green light our projects. We concluded that spec ads would still be in the same element of cinematography, just not that many days or months on set. We shot our first hypothetical spec ad for the MusicBed Film Festival Challenge. This film festival had a $15k-$50K prize to whoever won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place by just using their music on their website. We used the brand Irish Spring and my co-producer and actor, Keith E. Douglas, helped me write the two-page comedy. Overall, our performance went well for production and post-production. We, unfortunately, did not win any prizes, but we won in exposure because the Irish Spring social media manager reached out through Instagram to wish my company luck on the film festival and shipped a prize along with a note saying, “Jalen and Team, A nice smelling place is a place to be shared! Best of luck with the film festival. Your friends at Irish Spring.” I realized that you do not have to wait until you’re in a particular film industry position to produce and make films. There are numerous resources and other ways to get your projects out there with the same quality of work. Yes, it is a lot of hard work, but it is worth it because I’m creating my path and branding myself along with the company.
Jay , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been passionate about the fine arts since I was two years old! I grew up watching movies, mimicking characters and people in my family, dancing, singing, and acting. I’ve always had an affinity for fine arts because it brings people together by sharing laughter, excitement, and joy, but overall entertainment. I love to entertain! As I continued through performing arts magnet grade school and middle school, I auditioned for film and theatre roles and was technically trained for dance. After I graduated from Stephenson High School in 2019, I enrolled at Kennesaw State University. I am now a fourth-year student majoring in media & entertainment. I consider myself to be a contemporary and experimental filmmaker because I want to offer a different aesthetic in the film world. My goal is to create a cinematic universe with original characters and stories in different genres. What sets me apart from others is my ambition I want to leave a legacy of work through films and storytelling, especially with people of color because unfortunately, it is rarely seen on-screen and I want to create different narratives and messages with my body of work. I am most proud of owning and operating my film company, Blue Jay Production Company, LLC. Whatever we aspire to achieve, we make it happen by any means necessary. The slogan of my company is “thoughts become things.” I am on a mission to become the best at what I do with great quality work from new, young creators, writers, actors, directors, and producers!
I am in the position I am in today due to years of preparation, practice, professional development, and prayer. I have been successful thus far because of my hard work, dedication, and a village of loved ones and friends who all believe in me and support my endeavors. I have faith that I will achieve all that my heart desires. I believe nothing in life comes easy. Everything comes with a sacrifice. A quote by F. Matthias Alexander that always resonates with me states, “People do not decide their future, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future” which means we have to change our ways to become the best version of ourselves.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Living in a world full of passion and excitement is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist. It doesn’t feel like work because I was called to do this! I love to create. Even when I am not filming, I am still taking photos with a classic film camera around the city of Atlanta to continue capturing moments and inspire my creative thinking.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The particular goal driving my creative journey is creating an empire with my film production company. I want to become one of the best companies thus far, alongside Jordan Peele with Monkey Paw Productions, Tyler Perry with Tyler Perry Studios, and Issa Rae with Hoorae Media. Seeing these successful creators inspires me because it starts with a vision. I want to create great quality movies with great storytelling just like these people and be one of the greatest to do it. The goal is to leave a legacy of work through storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluejayatl.com/
- Instagram: bluejayproductionco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluejayproductioncompanyll7517/community
Image Credits
Amir Dawkins Ethan Green Roman Campomanes