The Team
WRITER & DIRECTOR
JAY ANTHONY WHITE
Jay Anthony White grew up on Detroit’s Westside in a modest two-family flat on West Grand Boulevard next door to the famous Motown recording studio, Hitsville U.S.A. His grandmother, Ernestine White, was a well-known businesswoman and owner of White’s Record Shop, the biggest, most successful black-owned record shop in the city. He eventually assumed ownership of the store. White started his writing career in the winter of 2002 when he began writing his own stand-up comedy routines and spent two years opening shows for acts like Mike Bonner, Sheryl Underwood, Tony Roberts, and many others. In 2006, he wrote and produced his first full feature film, Project 313. Project 313 was featured at the Pan African Film Festival and was distributed nationally through Universal Studios Home Entertainment. In Fall 2007, White traveled to Los Angeles for the American Black Film Festival and after numerous meetings with actor/director Bill Duke – as well as producers and representation – he moved to L.A. After a short time and considerable interest in a handful of his projects, White’s screenplay Pawn was optioned and produced, garnering critical acclaim. Pawn starred Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Michael Chiklis, Common, Sean Faris, Nikki Reed, and Stephen Lang, and was directed by David Armstrong, DP of the Saw films 1-5. In 2023 Jay took the helm as director, embarking on a cinematic journey to reimage his inaugural production, Project 313. Stepping into the director’s spotlight, Jay brings a new fresh perspective and creative vision to breathe new life into the story that marked the beginning of his filmmaking career. The blend of experience and artistic evolution, this project reflects Jay’s commitment to storytelling and his rise as a director.
PRODUCER
Paris Jones, a native of New York City, boasts over two decades of immersion in the entertainment realm. As an esteemed alum of The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute for Film and Television, Jones was propelled by a quest for authenticity in the global cinematic landscape, leading him to birth his brainchild, Paris Films, in 2013. Through Paris Films, Jones orchestrated an array of impactful productions spanning films, television series, commercials, and documentaries, each meticulously crafted to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Notable among his cinematic repertoire is the Tubi Original, "The Housekeeper," featuring Denise Richards, alongside "The Mail Lady." Further solidifying his mark in the industry, Jones co-founded Silver Line Entertainment, a film distribution powerhouse, orchestrating the sale of six films to Tubi, subsequently transformed into Tubi Originals. Noteworthy among these are the gripping hits "Surprise" and its sequel "Surprise 2," both created and produced by Jones. Jones' creative ingenuity extends beyond the silver screen, as evidenced by the recent sale of his new thriller, "The Past Comes Knocking," to A&E, with its debut slated for the Lifetime Network. A visionary in entertainment, Paris Jones continues to shape the narrative of cinematic excellence, leaving an indelible imprint on audiences worldwide.
PARIS Jones
ANTHONY CUFFIE
PRODUCER
Anthony Cuffie is a writer, director, and producer who has been recognized for hiswork by some renowned names in the entertainment industry. His script "SNITCH" has been praised by Academy Award winner Ava DuVernay's production company, Array. His project is one of the highest scoring scripts on "Coverfly" and considered one of the best unproduced scripts on the market. As a director and assistant director, he is DGA eligible, and has worked on a project with NETFLIX and a major Fortune 500 commercial. He's also won several awards for his short films in the film festival circuit.​
CO-PRODUCER
Edie Hovey has been a part of many award-winning projects. She is most recognized for her work with Spike Jonze in The New Normal and for her lead role in Steven Spielberg and the Return to Film School. Edie has worked in feature films, television, shorts, and commercials since she was a teen and continues to do so in Los Angeles, where she lives. With a comprehensive list of training by private coaches and improv studies with the Groundlings, she is well-versed in all genres. Edie studies film and television scene work, script breakdown, and character studies at Zak Barnett Studios. While her true passion is acting, she has experience in screenwriting and producing, as well as extensive expertise in script editing. Having experience both in front of and behind the camera makes Edie a distinctly knowledgeable asset on any set.
EDIE HOVEY
Jay Allen Barry
CO-PRODUCER
The JAB of JawJab Productions, Jay is a film producer with a background forged in the crucible of law enforcement. After a dedicated career as a respected DPD officer, Jay transitioned seamlessly into the world of film production. Drawing on years of real-world experience, Jay now serves as a trusted advisor, bringing authenticity to the portrayal of law enforcement in cinema. Jay is not just a retired cop, he is the bridge between the gritty reality of the streets and the captivating narratives that unfold on the smaller screen.
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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Charles A. Kennedy Jr is a cinematographer and image maker based in Detroit, Michigan. Charles studied Media Communication at Lawrence Technological University with a focus in audio engineering, but he discovered the world of film production after participating in the 2010 Detroit-Windsor International Film Festival. Lawrence Tech did not offer traditional film production and photography classes, so Charles taught himself through shooting short form projects, interning on Michigan Film Incentive backed film projects, consuming movies, and information from his favorite creators. His journey has taken him through working in several departments but camera has always been a constant. Charles has lensed several independent feature films, short form projects and commercials. Charles is known for his deep focus for psychological storytelling through an image with lighting, composition and his care with photographing Black skin.
CHARLES A. KENNEDY, JR
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