Director | Producer| Co-Writer

Jayla Hodge (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate creative and emerging filmmaker from Denver, Colorado, whose dynamic career bridges the worlds of storytelling, production, and social impact. A 2023 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Fellow (Los Angeles) and Mezcal Media Collective ASCENT directing alumnus (Chicago), Jayla is carving out a space for herself in the media industry with her unique blend of humor, creativity, and a deep commitment to inclusivity. Currently a producer at Ramfis Productions, Jayla brings her distinctive voice and meticulous attention to detail to every project she undertakes. Her creative portfolio spans a wide range of work, including commercials, short films, and her comedic web series TT Club, which she directed, produced, and wrote. Her multifaceted talents as a filmmaker have allowed her to seamlessly navigate various roles, from writer and actor to producer and director, showcasing her versatility and passion for storytelling.

Jayla has honed her craft through extensive on-set experience, with a particular emphasis on Assistant Director roles. Her notable credits include working as 1st and 2nd Assistant Director on productions with Paramount, National Lampoon and Sony. These roles have allowed her to cultivate a deep understanding of the collaborative nature of filmmaking, ensuring that productions run smoothly and creatively while staying on schedule.

Producer | 1st AD | Co-Writer

Jaylin Hodge is a Black Researcher-Writer, actress, and aspiring filmmaker from Denver, Colorado. Jaylin is employed by non-profit research organizations looking at how trauma impacts and affects marginalized communities regarding their mental health and predominant psychopathologies. A passionate creative, Jaylin uses her psychology and neuroscience background to work with Chicago artists and creatives as a writer/actor/ model to help facilitate healing in marginalized communities. Jaylin lives in LA where she has been working as a model, actress, and on sets as AD. She has featured in numerous film projects as an actor, booking commercial work and a 48HourFilm Project titled The Lost Ones, A Dreamer. Data production, where she was cast as lead and submission to the animated project titled Synergy for Hellavision Television Network.

Cinematographer

Justin's interest in video, VFX, and post-editing began during high school, driven by his passion for storytelling. Following his graduation in 2012, Justin secured an internship at a production company, where he quickly demonstrated his talent and commitment. Transitioning into a full-time role, he gained valuable experience across a variety of projects and attributes much of his growth from this opportunity.

Beyond his cinematography expertise, Justin has also explored various roles on set, including directing, producing and G&E, adding valuable insights to filmmaking. His self-taught talent and expertise allow him to act as a visual translator, interpreting the director's vision and bringing it to life while staying true to the narrative and incorporating his unique perspective.

When he's not on set, Justin enjoys indulging in video games, engaging in artistic creations, and exploring nature. His dedication to delivering exceptional work and his passion for storytelling have earned him a strong reputation in the industry. Justin King | DOP Website

Producer

Angel Williams, an independent writer and producer, who hails from Washington, D.C. but currently lives in Denver, CO. She is a U.S. Army disabled veteran that was given an opportunity in 2013 to attend the Writer’s Guild Initiative, where she was encouraged to turn her short stories into screenplays.

Angel aims to tell stories of those with non-visible disabilities and make these voices heard in every genre. She had the honor of being a fellow with the 2022 cohort of Respectability Entertainment Lab. She has placed as a semi-finalist in The ScreenCraft Film Fund for her sci-fi project, Stone Fate which also made Coverfly’s Red List, as well as her family drama Conversations with Mom. Angel is known for her work as Executive Producer on ‘In The Pocket’ (Short Film), Producer on ‘Barriers Included’ (Feature Documentary), and Script Supervisor on ‘Brand New’ (Short Film).

Producer / 1st AD

Keonia Williams, an actress, writer, and producer, was born in Washington, DC, but due to her parents being military, was raised throughout the United States. Keonia, known to many as Ke-Ke, started acting at the age of 9, starting in theater and then moving into the TV/Film space. Her roles in TV/Film include Dear Eleanor, The Accountant, Netflix’s Original Film Amateur, and Netflix Original Series Daybreak. She is the co-founder of Soldier Up Productions with her mother, ANGEL WILLIAMS. Keonia took her love for writing to create screenplays during COVID. And got hooked on producing after co-producing the documentary Barriers Included. She recently produced her first short film, In Real Life, and is finishing her first script titled, Rare.

Editor

Kristin Valentine (yes, like the holiday!) is a Hoosier mathematician turned LA film editor. Before entertainment, she worked as a data analyst for the Department of Defense while completing her M.S. in Theoretical Mathematics. After landing an entry position at ABC studios, she moved to Los Angeles and transitioned to freelance picture editorial. Kristin now works as an editor and assistant editor in both television and film with credits that include Liongate’s Stronger, award-winning projects What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, Euphoria, Dune and most recently, HBO's The Idol.

Kristin loves collaborating with diverse creatives and believes the magic of filmmaking pinnacles in post. She spends her free time playing with other people’s kids & dogs and planning her next vacation. If you love collaborating with creative coffee-holics, chat with Kristin over chais!

Sound Mixer

Dylan Smith is a proficient technician of all things audio in film, television, and music. After graduating with a BFA in sound design at Depaul University, Dylan quickly made a name for himself in the Chicago film world. Having recorded over a hundred projects, his clients have ranged from the Chicago Community Trust to Chance the Rapper, Ulta Beauty to Michael Brown Sr., and a host of independent directors and producers. Outside of the film sets, Dylan specializes in post-production audio as well and is commissioned for his ingenious approach to sound design, his colorful scores, and his fastidiously polished mixes.

What gives Dylan such an extensive portfolio is his versatile demeanor alongside his many diverse interests, but the stories that excite the most are ones told and developed by people of color