Jesse Randall on Illustrating Diversity and Complexity
Jesse Randall
In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the LGBTQ media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. The questions remain the same but the answers tell their unique story. It’s time to explore and celebrate true representation beyond the limits of Hollywood.
Jesse Randall is a filmmaker, writer, producer, and creator of JR VISION FILMS. JR VISION FILMS is dedicated to creating diverse representations of the LGBTQ community. His work primarily focuses on LGBTQ themed projects that illustrate the diversity and wonderful complexity of life. He got his start studying in Wilmington, North Carolina before moving to New York City, where he studied with Tony-nominated actress Lorraine Serbian and acclaimed playwright Julie McKee. His work has been featured in the 2016 Frameline Film Festival, 2020 SeriesFest, & 2020 New Filmmakers Los Angeles. His first digital series, THE SAFETY PLAN, along with the rest of his work, is now streaming on Revry.
What are you best known for?
I am best known for my digital series THE SAFETY PLAN, which is now streaming Revry along with my entire body of work! It's a comedy about finding your chosen family and learning to be okay on your own. I like to think of it as a mixture between a modern-day version of The Wizard of Oz & Into the Wild. I moved to New York when I was 20 without knowing anyone and without any money, and it took me a while to find my people. But it was an amazing learning experience in the process. I think everyone goes through a period of time in their life where they feel completely alone, and it's such an interesting experience that I rarely see depicted on screen.
What is the first thing you directed/produced?
The first thing I ever wrote, directed, & produced was a short film called THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREEN. It was my first project out of film school when I moved to New York. It didn't turn out well and never saw the light of day, but it did introduce me to one of the most important relationships of my life, cinematographer Taylor Stanton. He made all my New York films with me and was the first person to really believe in my work. I wouldn't be where I am today without him! We still continue to work together to this day and he's a lifelong friend.
What are you working on that no one knows about yet?
I just finished shooting a film with one of the stars of THE SAFETY PLAN, Alyssa Brayboy, where she plays two characters. People responded so strongly to her performance that I decided to develop a project with her that we wrote and produced together. It's been a great experience and I'm really proud of what we created. We just started post-production and I can't wait to share our work with the world! I'm also shooting a project about the homeless epidemic in Los Angeles. The homeless epidemic is a crisis that I'm really haunted by, and I'm determined to help find a solution in any way I can.