We recently connected with Jessica Mathews and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic. We owned BBQ restaurants in the Tampa Bay area growing up and I started working for them when I was just 7 years old. They had me hostessing every Friday and Saturday night and working caterings on the weekends. School was extremely important and I was expected to do well. My parents also showed me that it is okay to take breaks and go on vacation. I have been lucky to see many places with them.
Running a restaurant is a lot like running a production. You empower your team to do their best and lead with confidence. You lead by example. In my experience, no job is too small. Furniture needs to be moved? I’m there. The trash needs to be taken out? No problem. I like to lead by example and make sure people feel like they are part of a TEAM. I think it helps all of us work smarter, not harder. Everyone supports everyone else. That was a big take away from my parents. I watched them lead their teams with grace, humility and laughter. In addition, you want to enjoy who you are working with, otherwise it is definitely not going to be as much fun.
At one point in Los Angeles, I had 4 jobs at once. So I am not afraid to work hard for what I want. And that comes from my parents.
As far as the arts go – my mom and dad love antiques – we had many up on the walls of our restaurants. Now that I am older, I hold a bigger appreciation for antiques and history in general. They love artwork which really made a big impression on me. My dad is also a visual artist, mainly acrylic on canvas. We went to many plays when I was younger and my parents opened up my eyes to the arts in many different ways. We visited California when I was 12 and I told them I could live here. They laughed but here I am, a “native” for 20 years.
Looking back, they had a huge influence on my life in regards to art. Today, I take my son to as many plays as I can. He visits me on set and has helped with productions. He loves drawing, painting and hosting.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The University of Florida is my alma mater (Business/Economics) and never really thought I would be working in entertainment. My last semester in college I took “Acting for Non-Majors” and loved it. I started producing as a way to put myself in things as an actor. Then I realized how much I really loved producing. As a producer, you are telling a story, and you have much more control of the overall picture.
I am a creative and logistics producer who tells stories about the human condition. I work in both scripted and reality, from pre-production (script, casting) to post-production (film festivals, distribution). My main mediums are unscripted television and scripted feature films. I have also worked with brands, commercials, events, fundraisers, and created sizzles, pitch decks, business plans and developed various TV projects.
I am a producer because I love telling stories. Whether it’s scripted or unscripted, either way we are telling someone’s story, bringing it to life and getting it out into the world.
Diving into someone’s story is personal. It can be sad, disheartening, frightening, and at times happy, beautiful and bright. I love telling people’s truth and putting it on screen. I make sure people are comfortable and allow them to breathe, letting their actual story (or character) write the page.
Over the years, I have worked one on one with people from all different walks of life; children & families, pregnant women, couples and families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, those imprisoned, paroled ex-convicts, chefs, mediums, shamans, cheerleaders, basketball stars, hosts, actors, singers, magicians, reality stars and celebrities. As a storyteller, I find telling their stories fascinating, but at the core of that is who they are as people.
Along the way I have helped companies save money, forged new pathways for doing various tasks, created new IPs, improved processes and made clients happy by listening to what they wanted to accomplish. I have helped create visions and made them come to life. Teamwork is key.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Personally, I love telling stories that pull at the heart strings or make people communicate. I love it when people discuss a film or a scene in a particular show that had an impact on them. And while I tend to be drawn towards dramas, I have produced a lot of comedy as well. Making people laugh is always a fun thing. As a producer, creating a moment for emotion – whether drama or comedy, is special.
Most of the themes of my work have a conversation starter – our feature BLACK WHITE AND THE GREYS is about an interracial couple, struggling in their marriage, who are forced to quarantine together through the Covid pandemic and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. We have noticed that the film, due to it’s middle of the road approach, sparks conversation and allows voices on both sides to be heard. We recently played in the Better Together Film Festival during the National Week of Conversation and are grateful to help start conversations among the left and the right. (www.blackwhiteandthegreys.com)
Another project of mine, UNDER, is about two moms who are alone and find hope in connection. Aloura Charles (writer/director) and I worked with Maternal Mental Health Now and Trafficking Victim Rescue Central. It is now playing the festival circuit all around the globe. We hope it can be a useful tool and resource for those struggling with post-partum depression or those escaping human trafficking. (www.theundermovie.com)
Side Hustlers (Hello Sunshine / ROKU) is a television project that I produced on which I am excited about. We follow 15 female entrepreneurs, most of whom are moms with a full-time job and a side hustle. These ladies pitch two female investors on their businesses. Some are selected for mentorship and we follow their journeys along the way. We had such a fantastic crew on that show and I was grateful to have worked with so many strong women as well. (https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/d33f6bfbfdf01893c830c3236d69f6f2/side-hustlers)
While some of the subject matter I produce is not for kids, I want to make projects that my son can watch and be proud of once he is older. I want my parents and my “favorite” in-laws to watch my work as well. My husband and my family are always an inspiration.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
With the recent strikes it is very hard as an artist on both the scripted and unscripted side. Studios and networks are not buying content. Jobs are scarce and the jobs that are available have 300+ applicants per job. Plus AI is helping to drive out jobs.
As a society, I feel we can help support local arts, local plays, support students who love the arts, and really show our children that the arts (in various mediums) are important. Schools have had cutbacks to art programs across the board. In turn, whatever we can do to combat that as a community, as a whole, to help support the arts and creativity, is important. In addition, check in on your creative friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2004297
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mathews-0ab93a6/
Image Credits
Casey Nelson
Liga Zervena