JAMAAL depicts a day in the life of a Black man, with no additional trauma. Cuz let’s keep it , life has enough challenges- we don’t need no help making it harder. I wanted to portray the everyday struggles so many creatives experience, just trying to EXIST, while trying to hold on to hope on their journey to fulfilling purpose.

I created the short thanks to Paul Feig and his Powderkeg banner and a collab with FUSE TV to highlight first-time, comedic female directors.

We were given a one-day, 14-hour shoot with the prompt to: FOLLOW A CHARACTER ON THE BEST OR WORST DAY OF THEIR LIFE. and thus, JAMAAL was created.

Written and Directed by Yvonne Orji
Producers: Paul Feig, Laura Fischer, Kesila Childers, Erica Fisman
Produced by: Amy Geist
Director of Photography: Mike Maliwanag
Production Design: Brittant Ingram
Costume Design: Anninka Velie
Casting Director: Brittani Ward
Editor: Angela Latimer

The AMAZING Cast
Jamaal – Derrick A. King
Sadie – Marija Juliette Abney
Kimmy – Tristina Lee
Darryl – Rome Green Jr
Antwon – Jerah Milligan
Jarvin – Chet Anekwe
Homeless Man – Roscoe Freeman
Young Boy – Jeremiah Pitts

The AMAZING Crew
AD Department
1st AD – Sharon Waich
2nd AD – Kyle Hardy
2nd 2nd AD – Marianne Amelinckx
Production Truck PA – Roly Garcia
Camera Van PA – Sophia Cobarrubia
Set PA – Pass Van Dylan Silverglate
A-Pass Van (Runner) – Donovan Watson

Camera
A Cam/Steadicam Operator – Duston Supencheck
A Camera 1st AC – Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Chan
B Camera 1st AC – Gaby Spampinato
2nd AC / DIT – Ryan Bradford
Still Photographer – Shanley Kellis

Art Department
Lead – Ming Fen Congdon
Prop Master – Mackenzie McMahon
Set Dresser / Shopper – Dani Ramos
Set Dresser – Sophia Cohen
Art PA – Liz Berger

Electricians
Gaffer – Zach Trout
BBE – Ellia Thornburg
Swing – Cole Needham

Grips
Key Grip – Zack Bartlett
BBG – Jake Reardon

Production
Associate Producer – Zoë Dennis
Production Manager – Autumn Swope
Production Coordinator – Julia Schott
Payroll Coordinator – Kare Bortolus
Set Teacher – Daphne Boelsma
Assistant to Y. Orji – Zoie Sykes

Background Performers
SI / Runner – Chris Gaines
SI / Pedestrian – Dianna Smith

Security
Security – Julio Contreras

Health & Safety
Health & Safety Supervisor – Morgan Lester
Health and Safety Assistant – Jess Brill
Covid PA – Kevin Walsh

Post Production
Assistant Editor – AJ Francois
Titles & Graphics – Geoff Boothby
Color – RKM Studios
Colorist – Michael Schartz
Sound Designer – Dubaz Sound
Re-Recording Mixer – Marcello Dubaz
Sound Effects Editor – Amy Reynolds Reed
Dialogue Editor – Callie Sorce

Continuity
Script Supervisor – Bia Freire

Music
Additional Music by Amanda Jones & Jesse McMullen
Music Supervisor – Mark Borst Smith

Hair & Makeup
Makeup Department Head – Shannon Trigger
Hair Department Head – Mandisa Duperval
Key Makeup Artist – Angie Bulmer
Makeup Artist – Brenda Lopez

Costume Department
Asst Costume Designer – Shanaya Steave

Sound
Sound Mixer – Kyle McLane
Boom – Brian Orcullo

Special Thanks
DC Wade
Zoie Sykes
Joseph Solomon
Tye Tribett
Crumbl Cookies
Jenn Klein
UTA
J.A.
Prentice Penny
Melina Matsoukas
TT The Artist
Thembi Banks
Saladin Patterson
Ken Whittingham