Daily Inspiration: Meet Jay Davis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Davis.

Hi Jay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2010, I was fresh off a divorce, and I had no direction in my life. I decided to start writing down past dating experiences that I thought was funny. I wrote about three short stories, and I decided to find a Camera Man and record them. I had no idea what I was doing, so I was completely depending on the person I found to shoot my first shorts. The series was called The Misadventures of J Davis. From there, I started posting them on Facebook. People enjoy them for the most part, so in 2011 I decided to take the characters from my short stories and create my first feature-length film, I did a premiere at the Portage Theater in Chicago and I received a great reception. From that point, I realized the trajectory of where I was going, so I started writing nonstop, producing three more feature films and six web series, each one being better than the next.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is no such thing as a smooth road being a creator. The main issue with being an indie filmmaker is financial constraints. A lot of times, your vision exceeds your budget. So self-financing and still creating quality content is the biggest hurdle I’ve had to overcome.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My first two feature films were the Misadventures of J Davis, Shots Fired which were released in 2011 and 2012.

In 2013, I created a sketch comedy series entitled Choke on that. An uncensored, uncut, and unorthodox sketch comedy series featuring a variety of guests. See what happens when Jay Davis tries to bring his hilarious ideas to life with a non-existent budget and a dysfunctional cast and crew.

After that, I wrote, produced, and starred in Not Another Zombie Movie and Not Another Black Movie. I started to really find in my voice with Not Another Zombie Movie shout out to Donte Diesal Williams, the Director and cinematographer for that movie. It was a spoof on some cliche things you see in every zombie movie… I got tired of seeing them so I decided to poke fun of those things. At the time I didn’t realize how popular the zombie genre was, so I received a lot of praise and recognition for doing it justice. This was released in 2014 and it is available on TUBI.

After that, I took the same approach when writing Not Another Black Movie. I was sick of seeing the same things happening in popular black movies. If felt like every popular black movie used the exact same cast. Not Another Black Movie was the biggest feature film budget that I’ve had. The film featured Janet Hubert the Original Aunt Viv from the Fresh Prince of Belair as well has some tremendous Chicago-based talent. This was released in 2016 and it is also available on TUBI.

We self-distributed Not Another Black movie on Amazon Prime and it did extremely well. In the midst of doing feature films, I’ve done a lot of sketches, comedy movies, and series as well. That’s the thing that really sets me apart from everyone. My comedy is Raul raunchy and your face turns the mirror around and makes you laugh at things that you shouldn’t normally laugh at.

2019 I wrote and produced a show entitled Step Dads. Synopsis: When infidelity claims the life of Joanne Bates, her children Lisa and Stevie are left in the custody of her fiance Mike and his brother Jerry. Mike a straight-laced, hardworking accountant; and Jerry, a wild, unstable womanizer were both former foster children and together, they provide a unique balance of parenting skills for young Lisa and Stevie. Step Dads a comedy about two polar opposite foster brothers attempting to raise two children using non-traditional parental methods. It sheds a satirical light on the importance of adoption. Although we poke fun at some of the mishaps which come along with being a new parent, we hope to spread awareness on the importance of adoption while giving you a good laugh. Every child deserves to be loved unconditionally and raised in a reliable, stable support system. This series is available on Amazon Prime.

2020 – 2021 – I produced a sketch comedy series entitled Reckless Enlightenment. Synopsis: The lives of an on unorthodox film crew are detailed in this “30 Rock” style parody. Among the colorful characters are Jay Davis, a foul mouth asshole who is the writer, producer, and star of the show; Black Jack Johnson an insubordinate, unpredictable stuntman; Donte Diesel, the stressed out, underappreciated, volatile director and cinematographer. Jennifer Lenius, the manic depressive, hot-head headed, violent actress; Jato, the semi-competent, socially awkward actor. See what happens when Jay tries to bring his hilarious ideas to life with a non-existent budget and a dysfunctional cast and crew.

2021 – I started working on two projects with Director Omarr Moore. A horror series entitled EDYH: The Terror Within. Synopsis; A young woman named Tara must face the monster living in her home while dealing with a secret only she and her father know.

We also begin production on a sketch/standup comedy show entitled Jay Davis Presents: Creative Hustle: Synopsis This is a brand new show that brings creative entertainers of all kinds together on one platform to cultivate an unforgettable experience where you will leave with your stomach hurting from laughter, your heart warm with love, and motivation to turn your very own creative ideas into your hustle. Creative Hustle will feature Comedienne Tanisha “Just Nesh” Rice, Comedy Central’s Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Damon Williams, HBO’s P Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy, Leon Rogers, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and Correy Bell, Showtime’s Mo’Nique and Friends, plus so many more. The show will be hosted by Rodney Perry of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, BET’s Comic View, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, and Coming 2 America.

Both Creative Hustle and EDYH are streaming on TUBI.

What makes you happy?
Making others happy makes me happy. Laughter is infectious. It brings people together from other nationalities, religions, and genders. I find my happiness in helping others find their happiness.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydavistp/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/jay.davistp?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayDavistp
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@JayDavisTp
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaydavistp?_t=8cCskHJDnwo&_r=1