Behind the scenes with Jay Will

Stephanie Lyew, Gleaner Writer

Video producer. Videographer. Director. Call him what you may, Jason Williams, popularly known as Jay Will is a film director - and a good one at that.

Jay Will is working on ad campaigns - which many of you may have seen - and he's taking a behind-the-scenes approach for music-video directing.

This year, it's all about making big moves - and movies. Nothing is going to stop this film director, as where there is a 'Will', there is definitely a way.

Saturday Life sat with Jay Will to revisit the past, question the present and visualise the future.

• Recap

Did you always know you wanted to be a film director?

No. I made that decision in the ninth grade. I moved to Florida during my fourth year of high school in Jamaica and was placed in middle school, (eighth grade) after which I went to Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale. There, I saw students who were doing the course, and took it up the following semester.

So you went to school in the States, but what opportunities there opened up your choice of career?

Well, if you know from early what you want to do, the magnet programmes, 'doctor', you and give you exposure from early. My school was a magnet school for news journalism.

What was your journey like after high school?

I went to Full Sail (University), where I studied film, and then moved on to Florida A&M University to study broadcast journa-lism (graduated with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in theatre and photography). After a few internships, I worked at CBS for six months, then MTV for three-and-a-half years in productions, which propelled my career.

What are some of the videos you've worked on while in the States?

I was part of a group called KUAMP (young professionals at MTV) which produced an electronic press kit for Kanye West, and I also edited the Through the Wire video. My first big shoot was KC Jockey's Diggy Diggy, featuring Elephant Man. Since then, I've produced with international artistes such as MIA, Shaggy and many more.

• Views and headlines

What made you come back to Jamaica?

It was difficult travelling back and forth to shoot videos and I could not stay in Jamaica to video-edit on projects. It became a conflict of interest, so I moved back and now partner with Carlene Samuels for our production company, Creative Source.

Having directed for local and international artistes, how are the markets different with regard to video concepts?

It's pretty much the same, but Jamaican standards are not as strict; however, they are getting there. As we take on a more international approach to the standards of music and lyrics put out on the market, the video concepts must follow.

If you had to compare advertisements vs music videos, which would you say proposes a greater challenge?

Advertisements. More goes into the work, when you have to take into consideration brand guidelines and prospective clients, but as soon as I hear a song, the video comes to life. Music creates an image.

• Notice board

Having learnt so much and gained loads of experience, what do you want to do with it, in terms of the youth?

I want to teach. I've been part of workshops in Barbados and Antigua but, in the next couple of years, I want to be sitting on the board of a major entertainment company where my legacy will go on. Probably even become a college professor.

You've achieved so much thus far, but what's your aim for the future?

So far, I've done documentaries throughout the United States, Canada and Japan, one of which received Best Documentary at the Flashpoint Film Festival for 'A Jamaican Danceumentary' - it's all about dancing. I am currently preparing to produce short films for local television. The aim is to make movies. My lifetime goal is to produce one Hollywood film.

To contact Jason Williams, email jaywillfilms@gmail.com.