BIO
Jayson spent his youth living all over the US, with his time in Alaska especially formative. He was exposed to the magic of filmmaking in a single screen theatre in Anchorage where his father worked part-time as a projectionist. Propped up on phone books, he’d watch movies all day with his dad, absorbing them through a small booth window, the antique projector rumbling in his ear. He understood at a young age how films mixed magic with craft and technical expertise.
After earning his BA from Columbia College Chicago and his MFA from the American Film Institute, Jayson shot numerous independent features before joining Local 600, eventually adding television shows to his body of work. In addition to the many streaming services and networks showcasing his work, Jayson’s films have screened at such festivals as SXSW, Tribeca and Camerimage.
Jayson feels fortunate to love what he does and is always eager to collaborate with people who are excited to share their talent and passion. He believes his job is to be a chameleon on every project, adapting to the new story while creating the best work and environment possible.
Between projects, he can often be found teaching workshops and sharing his love for filmmaking (he’s taught all across the US, the Philippines, and Kosovo). He’s also served as the Technical Editor for the acclaimed book on cinematography and lighting, A Shot In The Dark by author Jay Holben as well as contributing to The Cine Lens Manual, also by Jay Holben and Christopher Probst, ASC. When not on set he creates art with wood and his adaptation of shou sugi ban (the art of Japanese wood burning), or he can be found roasting and blending a great cup of coffee.
Jayson recently wrapped season 2 of Cruel Summer (the networks Number 1 series on Hulu), as well as work on Quantum Leap and The Chosen. In features his recent work includes the romantic comedy The Thing About Harry with director Peter Paige and the World War 2 drama Axis Sally with director Michael Polish and starring Al Pacino.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is represented by DDA.
CV
TELEVISION
CRUEL SUMMER
Season 2 - Episodes 201, 203, 205, 207, 210
DIRECTORS - Bill Purple, Hiromi Kamata
PRODUCERS - Jessica Biel, Michelle Purple, Bill Purple, Elle Triedman / Freeform / eOne
QUANTUM LEAP
Season 2 - Episode 205, Add’l. Photography - Episode 203
DIRECTORS - Tamika Miller, Chris Grismer
PRODUCERS - Meg Fister, Marc Bienstock / NBC Universal
STATION 19
Season 5 - Episodes 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512
DIRECTORS - Peter Paige, Oliver Bokelberg, Tamika Miller, Sheelin Choksey, Diana Valentine
PRODUCERS - Shonda Rhimes, Stacey K. Black, Mary Kane, Peter Paige, Alexandre Schmitt / Shondaland / ABC
CRUEL SUMMER
Season 1 - Episodes 102, 104, 105, 108, 110, Add’l. Photography - Episode 101
DIRECTORS - Bill Purple, Max Winkler, Laura Nisbet Peters, Dan Willis
PRODUCERS - Jessica Biel, Michelle Purple, Tia Napolitano / Freeform / eOne
P-VALLEY
Add’l. Photography - Episode 102
DIRECTOR - Kimberly Peirce
PRODUCERS - Katori Hall, Montez Monroe, Khaliah Neal / Starz
CHICAGO FIRE
Seasons 4, 5, 6
2nd Unit/Add’l. Photography - Seasons 2 & 3
DIRECTORS - Joe Chappelle, Holly Dale, Alex Chapple, Sanford Bookstaver, David Rodriguez, Leslie Libman, Matt Earl Beesley, Karyn Kusama, Lin Oeding, James Hanlon, Bill Johnson, Eric Laneuville, Jann Turner, Jono Oliver, Alik Sakharov, Steve Shill, Fred Berner, Dan Lerner, Stephen Cragg, Jean de Segonzac, Tom DiCillio, Michael Slovis, Michael Brandt, Jeff Hunt, Reza Tabrizi, Rod Holcomb
PRODUCERS - Dick Wolf, Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, John Roman, Todd Arnow / NBC Universal
MALIBU RESCUE
Season 1 - 2nd Unit
DIRECTOR - Scott McAboy
PRODUCERS - Amy Sydorick, Scott McAboy / Netflix / Pacific Bay Entertainment
FEATURES (partial list)
THE THING ABOUT HARRY
DIRECTOR - Peter Paige
PRODUCERS - Roger Bobb, Greg Gugliotta, F.J.Denny, Peter Paige / Freeform
FORCE OF NATURE
DIRECTOR - Michael Polish
PRODUCERS - George Furla, Randall Emmett, Luillo Ruiz / Lionsgate
MALIBU RESCUE - THE NEXT WAVE
2nd Unit
DIRECTOR - Scott McAboy
PRODUCERS - Amy Sydorick, Scott McAboy / Netflix / Pacific Bay Entertainment
AXIS SALLY
DIRECTOR - Michael Polish
PRODUCERS - George Furla, Randall Emmett, Luillo Ruiz, Shaun Sanghani, Vance Owen / EFO Films
AMNESIAC
DIRECTOR - Michael Polish
PRODUCER - Lucas Jarach / Lotus Entertainment
COLDWATER
DIRECTOR - Vincent Grashaw
PRODUCERS - Vincent Grashaw, Dave Gare / Flying Pig Productions
*Official Selection - SXSW Film Festival
*Nominated - Best Cinematography - Las Vegas Film Festival
*Official Selection - Director’s Debut - Camerimage
MODEL HOME
DIRECTOR - Patrick Cunningham
PRODUCER - William Frank / High Window Films
THE GHOST & THE WHALE
DIRECTORS - Anthony Gaudioso, James Gaudioso
PRODUCERS - Paula Benard, Matt Russell / Marvista Entertainment
DUKE
DIRECTORS - Anthony Gaudioso, James Gaudioso
PRODUCERS - Ross Kahn, Nancy Leopardi / Duke The Film, LLC
FROM PRADA TO NADA
Los Angeles Unit
DIRECTOR - Angel Gracia
PRODUCERS - Linda Mcdonough, Chris Ranta / Lionsgate / Oddlott Entertainment
DON’T BLINK
DIRECTOR - Travis Oates
PRODUCERS - Zack Ward, Carl Lucas / The Engine
LEAVING BARSTOW
DIRECTOR - Peter Page
PRODUCERS - Madelon Smith, Kevin Sheridan / Osiris Entertainment
*Audience Award - Best Feature - Newport Beach Film Festival
*Jury Prize - Best Feature - Nevada City Film Festival
*Audience Award - Best Feature - Nevada City Film Festival
SHORT FILMS (partial list)
BLACK CREEK TRAIL
DIRECTOR - Soma Helmi
PRODUCERS - ErinRose Widner, Jaime Saginor / We Make Movies Productions
AFTER EMMA
DIRECTOR - Gabrielle Stone
PRODUCERS - Gabrielle Stone, JT Mollner, Nick Terry / You Can Productions
IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST NIGHT
DIRECTORS - Gabrielle Stone, Roze
PRODUCERS - Gabrielle Stone, Roze / Javelina 98 Productions
PROTOCOL X
DIRECTOR - Zack Ward
PRODUCER - Zack Ward / Makeshift Productions
COUGH DROP
DIRECTOR - Kristina Lear
PRODUCER - Cynthia Graner / Off the Mountain Films
EDUCATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
American Film Institute - MFA
Columbia College Chicago - BA
Technical Editor, A Shot In The Dark, Published by Course Technology
Member of Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild