Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Martin.
Hi Jade, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a plus sized, woman of color with natural hair, I’ve come to understand that stories have the power to shift perspectives, and that it’s essential for everyone to see themselves reflected in the narratives we consume on a daily basis. That belief is what slowly fueled my journey as a Director, Producer, and Writer, and it’s what’s kept me pushing forward over the last 15 years in the entertainment industry.
I initially got my start as a Production Coordinator at Moguldom Media Group, working behind the scenes for sites like Bossip, MadameNoire, and HipHopWired. Back then, I was putting together small production shoots, coordinating schedules and soaking up everything I could learn about producing. In the earlier stages of my career, I spent several years working red carpets and press junkets, interviewing some of my favorite celebrities.
When the company dove into branded content, I packed up and moved to New York which was one of the places I’ve always admired from afar. Suddenly, I was producing for brands like Aveeno, Ford, Toyota, McDonald’s, Sephora and more. Over the span of eight years, I learned how to tell stories that resonated whether they were two minutes or two hours long. When Moguldom was acquired by Interactive One in 2017, I was able to stretch my skills even further by also producing documentaries and commercials that aired on TV One.
In 2020, just before the pandemic, I moved to Los Angeles to join Viacom Velocity as a Senior Producer. Starting a new job while figuring out remote production was intense but it forced me to adapt quickly, and I came out of it a stronger producer, working on campaigns for Spotify, Truth, Nickelodeon, Abercrombie and more.
Today, I’m a Supervising Producer at Fulwell Entertainment (formerly The SpringHill Company), where I’ve had the privilege of becoming an Emmy Award Winning Producer. With my current projects at the company, I serve as the Co-EP and Showrunner of The Shop and a Story Producer on season 2 of On the Rise: Juju Watkins, both executive produced by LeBron James.
Having worked on some exciting projects thus far, this is only the beginning of my journey. I have dreams of also Showrunning scripted television, and I’m already building towards that. I launched my first pilot, Misunderstood, on YouTube during the pandemic, and I’m actively pitching a Christmas movie I co-wrote with my partner, Roni Davis.
If you’re wondering what a Showrunner does, it’s simple: we’re the people who take an idea and shepherd it all the way to the screen, overseeing the vision, the details, and the execution. In short, we make things happen. And for me, the most important part is making sure the stories we tell matter.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely not a smooth road as I did not go to school for video production so back when I was doing red carpets, I had to learn how to produce, shoot, and edit by watching several tutorial videos and talking to different people in the industry. I also had to learn how to project manage along with tracking budgets, managing external vendors, and deciphering talent contracts.
With the pandemic being one of the most challenging times, uncertain about job security and navigating an entire new world of production, it helped me to adapt and learn new things in a timely manner. As a producer, especially in the world of Branded Content you’re constantly dealing with feedback, tight deadlines, and minimal budgets. Although the job can be stressful and requires a significant amount of travel, the beauty is always in the final product that makes everything worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of being able to tell stories for underrepresented voices and bring fresh perspectives to the screen. I pride myself in uplifting others around me while encouraging others to do their best while we’re on set. I think creating content is fun and you should always have fun while doing it and respecting others around you.
What sets me apart from others is that I am a multi-faceted creative that has experience in multiple different formats while also knowing how to direct and produce. I’m also eager to learn about the ecosystem that surrounds the content which includes but not limited to marketing, YouTube programming, SEO & content strategy, etc.
Any big plans?
My future plans are to get more experience as a Showrunner in different formats on the Unscripted side as well as working on more content on the Scripted side. I have aspirations of having several of my own shows on TV (scripted and unscripted) while running a non-profit organization that teaches women all aspects of production.
I love mentoring young women of color and giving them as many tips and advice as to how you can navigate the crazy world of Hollywood.
Contact Info:
- Website: jade-martin.com
- Instagram: @thejmlife
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-martin-39645516/
Image Credits
Photo titled _BEX2177.jpg. Photographer is Bexx Francois
