Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Wolff.
Jay began his career as a copywriter at the McCann Erickson subsidiary AFG&.
There, he wrote and produced several award-winning cat food ads. He also worked on more exciting things, like pain relievers and dish soap. But… it was mostly cat food.
Needless to say, he left for USC’s School of Cinematic Arts when the acceptance letter rolled in 3 years later. Since USC, he has co-directed the James Franco starring feature film Actors Anonymous, created the viral web series OMG HI, and helmed shoots for brands and networks like Variety, Nickelodeon, Visa, and Broadway Video.
He’s currently based in Silver Lake on the east side of Los Angeles.
Has it been a smooth road?
When you start your career as a cat food advertiser, it’s easy to see the bright side of the litter box. Since my advertising days, it’s been a joy to create content for people across platforms.
I’ve truly gotten a chance to work in everything – features, network TV, web content, branded… and all of it is heading towards the same place – content people actually want to see. Because there is so much choice, now it’s a struggle just to make great work and get it seen.
I think the hardest part about what’s going on out there is getting the project going because there are just so many projects that want and need to be made. But I’ve learned that if I focus and don’t drop it, it will happen. That’s a long-winded way of saying if you’re trying to make it in the industry, you can’t quit, because hell yeah it’s bumpy. But that’s what makes it great.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m currently running an independent production company called Wolffland. It’s a small-shop that scales up for production – so ad shoots, branded content, web series, and hopefully early next year, our first feature film. As I said there’s so much content, what we do is just try and identify the great work and bring it to life.
I’m a comedy guy, so it’s comedy-focused usually. But that being said, I love me some sci-fi, some weird horror stuff. There’s so much going on. I just am thrilled to be a part of it.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is the best worst city. Or should I say the worst best city? It’s hard. It’s super hard. Coming from New York, this place is a total bear. But I’d say everyone should give it 3 years. After 3 years, you know whether not it works for you.
That said, I just visited Portland, OR for the first time, and daaaaaamn, I have a big crush. It’s the business town, LA. If you wanna work in films, you gotta be here. Not New York.
Even as much as you want to. The traffic sucks. Try and work on the same side of town as you live. And get those Uber credits!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heyjaywolff.com
- Email: heyjaywolff@gmail.com
- Instagram: the.wolff
- Twitter: heyjaywolff

Image Credit:
Alix Spence, Lola Petitbon, Lex Ryan
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