Exploring Life & Business with Jesse Kaplan of Jaz Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Kaplan.

Hi Jesse, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
With a deep-rooted legacy in film spanning three generations, I began my career working on major Hollywood productions such as Iron Man, Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, and The Polar Express. I built my expertise in sound and broadcast production video from the ground up. My hands-on experience as a boom operator and a sound/video technician taught me the technical precision and creative flexibility required in high-stakes environments. Drawing on that foundation, I launched Jaz Entertainment to bring the same level of professionalism and innovation to live events, studio builds, and AV solutions. Today, Jaz Entertainment blends cinematic heritage with cutting-edge technology to deliver custom, high-impact audiovisual experiences for a diverse range of clients.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I started my career in Hollywood during a time when film production was thriving in California, but as the industry began migrating to other states and countries, opportunities on major sets became increasingly scarce. That shift forced me to rethink my path and how I could apply my experience in sound and production to new arenas.
Pivoting from film to corporate and educational clients wasn’t easy. The pace, priorities, and expectations were entirely different, and I had to rebuild my network while learning the unique demands of live events, hybrid meetings, and institutional AV systems. But that transition ultimately became a turning point.

It taught me to bring cinematic storytelling and production values into spaces that aren’t traditionally associated with Hollywood, boardrooms, classrooms, and event venues.
Today, that pivot is one of the reasons Jaz Entertainment stands out: We merge the artistry and precision of film production with the reliability and scalability that corporate and educational clients need.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jaz Entertainment is a full service audio visual and production company built on three generations of Hollywood experience. We bring cinematic quality to live events, studio builds, and AV solutions for corporate, educational, and creative clients.

What makes us different is our film industry foundation. Having worked on major productions like Avatar, Iron Man, and Alice in Wonderland, we combine precision, creativity, and technical knowhow in every project.

We are also known for our reach and flexibility, traveling to over 50 countries and more than half of the states in the US to support our clients wherever they need us. A major focus today is theatrical procurement and helping clients build professional AV setups. There is growing demand for small green screen sets for home and office use, allowing clients to elevate Zoom calls, videoconferencing, and online presentations with a polished, cinematic look.

At Jaz, we are more than a production company. We help clients create spaces and experiences that look, sound, and feel extraordinary, whether it is a live event, a broadcast studio, or a personal professional workstation.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
After 16 years working on major Hollywood films, my biggest professional risk was stepping away from that world to start Jaz Entertainment in 2016. It meant leaving a secure path and rebuilding from scratch in an industry that was evolving quickly. Film production was moving out of California, and I had to pivot into corporate and educational markets that operated very differently from the studios I knew so well.

There were moments of doubt, but taking that leap proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It allowed me to apply everything I learned in film (teamwork, precision, storytelling) to new clients and challenges. I believe that real progress comes from embracing risk thoughtfully: knowing when to trust your experience, when to adapt, and when to bet on yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.JazEntertainment.net
• Instagram: OfficialJazEntertainment
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jaz-Entertainment/61565007675504/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekaplan-jazentertainment