Meet Jessica Rae | Writer/Director and Los Angeles Dodgers Game Day Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Rae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson

I’ve always heard there’s no path to becoming a successful filmmaker…everyone makes their own way, and that’s true, My path led me to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where I am currently the Game Day Producer. I started as an intern when I was still in grad school studying film at UCLA, and the position continued into a game day job, allowing me the flexibility to work when I wanted while continuing to pursue my filmmaking goals and making my first feature film, Raise Your Hand (which will be on Peacock in just a few months, so keep an eye out for it).

There’s a small mural with this quote from Jackie Robinson I walk by every day, and everyone knows Jackie Robinson, right? His story, what he did, what he endured, and what he was able to accomplish by simply wanting to play baseball…but having been a part of the Dodger family for so long myself I’ve seen first. hand the impact Jackie continues to have on so many people. Every year his number unites baseball players all across MLB by wearing his number 42 on the official MLB Jackie Robinson Day, we recognize his scholars, we celebrate black excellence not only in baseball but in the world…and that’s just a small part in one small area. The legacy of Jackie Robinson will continue forever, even if his name is forgotten (which it won’t be), because what he was a trailblazer who changed the world.

When I think about what I want to say through my films, what images I show, what stories I bring to life, I always think about this quote, and in the hardest moments I always have to come back to a few very important lessons in I’ve had to learn in life I’ve had to learn the hard way…don’t take things personal, don’t make it about me, and keep faith, keep going. (That’s another quote I received in a discussion with Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager, and I imagine he got that from Jackie too.)

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I can finally say I’m an award-winning Latina director. That took a long time to say with confidence. I grew up a poor mixed kid in Minneapolis who had to learn the hustle game early on; things like how to stretch a dollar, how to care for my family, and how to create extra time in a day to get to the next one. Those life skills created the foundation of who I am today. When my work needs something done, they ask me. When my people need someone to count on, I’m the one they trust. I always find a way, and my superpower is I do it all with grace, consideration for others, and a level head, and I’m no stranger to hard work.

As a director, my favorite stories are character-driven, and full of raw and uncomfortable truths. My life experiences combined with my strength working with actors allow me to authentically direct scenes with the care and understanding each character deserves.

To become a filmmaker, I attended UCLA’s MFA Graduate Directing Program after an extensive study of theater performance in college. I was actually waitlisted, and since I had been rejected from Normal Illinios’ Theater MFA Directing Program…I had no idea what to do. I was working the drive-through window at Wendy’s when I got the call there was a spot for me, and I yelled so loud in the headset. The lady in the window was so mad at me until I told her what happened, and then we were cheering together. I’d like to give another big shout-out to my theatre professors at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. Mary, Jo, Beth, Billy, Ron, and Krista helped me through some very tough times in college. They taught me what tough love was (like not failing a class, because I didn’t finish assignments but instead spending an entire work every day in the office finishing them with some very disappointed faces…they taught me you don’t fail, you learn from your mistakes and you keep pushing).

Early in my career, I landed one of the original spots in the Bad Robot Diversity Fellowship program, where I was mentored by J.J. Abrams and his team. He funded my second short film, GIRL IN TANK, supporting me in exploring the world of VFX, SPFX, and animation. I shadowed him on SUPER 8, and following that he opened the door for me to cut her teeth as a PA on STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, which led to a multitude of professional opportunities, I worked on a ton of shows over the years, while saving u all my pennies to get that feature filmed. It was a lot of pennies, and look. It was hard because I was working on shows during the day, hustling my way to be able to go work Dodger games at night. I was always broke, was going through a much-needed divorce, and I was fighting for everything. One thing people didn’t understand about me at the time is why I refused to join the Director’s Guild of America as an Assistant Director because I had completed my training, but I made a deal with myself…not until I shot my movie. I didn’t want to get distracted by the money.

Somehow I shot the film (with the help of an incredibly large village and student loans since I was able to return to finish my degree by shooting a feature that has only recently been allowed). It took about 3 years to complete, and I won’t even go into the details about all the crazy things that happened, but man oh man was it a ride from the moment we started, I learned a lot. We all did. The film got into its first festival, Dances with Films, and right before the screening Covid hit…so we waited…and waited..and waited. The film finally premiered with the Social Justice Now Film Festival, sponsored by Michae B Jordan, and it’s been going ever since.

RAISE YOUR HAND takes you on a best friend journey of two girls from the hood in the 90s, living generational curses in desperate search of ways to escape. The film received many awards including multiple Best Director and Best Actress awards, Best Screenplay, Best Female Filmmaker, Social Justice Awards, and Best Film of the Decade,

That’s all great, but then what? That’s always the question…then what? Hard work does pay off sometimes, and I was given the opportunity to shadow directors Adam Arkin for two episodes of Get Shorty and Alex Zakrzewski for one episode of Bosch. Because I had worked for years with these great mentors, they openly brought me into their struggles and triumphs, and I take this knowledge with me wherever I go.

I’ve also continued to learn by teaching directing at universities in both Mexico and California.

I’m currently the Game Day Producer at the Los Angeles Dodgers, where I oversee all in-game entertainment, work with players to create content, produce in-game features and live content, and show calls every game, leading a crew of up to fifty people on any given day. I find this to be great practice working with a studio, pitching ideas, executing shows with budgets, and constantly being challenged to do more.

I am also finally an active member of the Director’s Guild of America and part of the Latino Community.

I’m most proud that I every night I go to bed I can say I did it again today. I didn’t let “the other” win, and I never gave up. RAISE YOUR HAND will always and forever be my proudest body of work because of how it all came together, and all the amazing people who contributed to make the movie happen (shout out to my producing partner on the film Allen-Gessesse).

I also want to add I’m very proud to have produced the 2022 MLB All Star Game weekend and to have been a part of our Dodger Stadium Opening Day series in Korea, helping produce our games with MLB and bringing our show to another country.

Lessons I’ve learned…You only really fail to reach your goals if you give up. Don’t get me wrong. Failure is an important part of the growing process and we must experience it to become our best selves, but no one ever made it by saying, oh well, I didn’t get it this time. Guess I’ll go try something else. Work hard, but also work smart. Don’t waste your time in jobs or in places where you give your all every day all day are not able to grow every day. You will one day realize you actually did waste your time, and as I get older I understand time is precious and irreplaceable. Be smart about who you surround yourself with. Sometimes we outgrow people, and that’s ok. You want people around you who love you, challenge you, call you out on your BS, and support you. If you realize someone isn’t that anymore (or never was), it’s ok to thank them for the journey and keep moving. I think I heard something, release people with grace. Release people, places, and things with grace so you can become the person you’re working so hard to become with that same grace you give others. Love yourself, Cheer for yourself, You can’t count on others to do it for you, but I promise you, they will join you, And Be Kind…not just because you never know who you might be working for in 5 years, but also because we need more kindness in this world, and you never know where that kindness will meet you later in life.

What do I want people to know about my story…it’s still being written, and I’m finally excited for what is to come next. I hope through my own journey I am able to tell the stories of many others.

My brand – Jessica Rae is an award-winning Latina director whose films explore character-driven chronicles and explode stereotypes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Funny thing, one of my best friends was just here the other weekend for the first time visiting me in over ten years! She’d already done the Mann’s Chinese Theater/Hollywood Vibe and the beach, so I took her to some new places.

Lares Mexican Restaurant in Santa Monica is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. My favorite item is Bistec con Papas, some Fideo soup, and top it off with a Mexican Hot Chocolate for dessert. If you come on a weekend night you might be serenated by a Mariachi group.

Another one of my favorite spots to take someone to is Pine and Crane in Silverlake. They have a full menu of great shareable items for meat eaters, veggie and vegan-friendly options, and all of it is delicious, especially paired with a fancy drink or mocktail, you can never go wrong, and I’ve never had a complaint from a first timer.

The Hollywood Bowl is a must, no matter who is performing. Bring a picnic meal and some bubbles or you can order there. I saw Maxwell there a few months ago, and I was living my best life.

We have so many great sports teams here in LA, so of course I’m giving my friend the VIP Dodger treatment, but also check out a Sparks or Angel City game. The LA women’s teams are really showing up and creating some amazing content! Shout out to my fellow producers who are there doing their thing. The work is impressive, and the fans are dedicated. The last Angel City game I was at, Jennifer Garner jumped in with the fan section and was banging the rally drum. Let’s go LA!

I live near Echo Park, and for some reason, people love the Swan boats on Echo Park Lake, and it’s a great opportunity to take one out at dusk when the Christmas lights go on and have a relaxing time catching up. It’s when all the chisme comes out and when we finally find out how each other is doing.

I do love a great bookstore, so always fun to stop at the Last Bookstore, browse a little, and grab a cup of coffee…great morning walk.

Janet Jackson had a concert here when my friend was visiting, and we weren’t able to go, but always check out who is performing around the area. That’s the great thing about LA. There’s always something super dope happening.

Of course, there are studio tours and theme parks. Disney has gotten quite expensive, but if that’s your thing…do it while you can. Me being the filmmaker I am I love taking people to Warner Bros, because I’ve shot a lot of projects there like True Blood and Super Girl, and I think their tour is the best, but if you want tours and rides Universal is your spot.

Late at night, it’s always cool to drive up the coast and see the sun rise if you can. I spent many an early morning after a night shoot driving down the coast back from the Pacific Palisades. It’s beautiful.

I also love the Academy and the Grammy Museums. I was obsessed with awards shows when I was growing up, I even figured out how to fix our broken VCR to record again, and I’d tape the awards shows and watch them over and over. My mom would be like, Jessica you’re so weird, You know what happens, but I was like Mom! No! It’s about the show, the costumes, the performances! I loved every moment, so to now live so close to these special places is like a dream come true, my best friends are kind enough to always indulge me and my love of cinema and music. (I’m probably the most annoying person to watch a TV show or sporting event now though…I can’t shut up about how something isn’t working or that earpiece is in the wrong ear or the continuity is off…Thank you friends for putting up with me.)

One more thing I love is knocking off a bucket list item for my friends, whatever that may be. Last year one friend came and her one item was to parasail…so parasailing is what we did.

I’m just grateful for all the moments I get to share out here with my best friends when I’m able. My schedule is busy, and I’m still working on balance. Hey, whatever my friends want to do…let’s go!!!!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely dedicate my shoutout to Chris Brooks, who was my Youth Coordinator at Southwest High School back in (cough cough) we will just say back in the day.

Chris saved my life, in more ways than one. I grew up in a challenging situation. My mom was a single parent, and we did not have a lot growing up. My father wasn’t around, and both my mom’s parents passed away young, so when she re-married to my stepfather it was very exciting, but as soon as she got pregnant with my sister he started to get sick. He’s still with us thankfully, but after many years of not knowing what was happening to his body he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and muscular dystrophy. Soon I had four younger brothers and sisters and it was tough. My mom also lost a baby at the end of a pregnancy, and that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. I found myself struggling to find a 14 year old balance between being a third parent and trying to be a kid. I was the weird kid who loved reading, played sports, and fought for every acting opportunity available, so I was everywhere while also working full time hours at the mall on weekends and days I didn’t have practice.

I say all that, because by the time I met Chris I was really struggling internally, I had a grown up attitude in a little person’s body. (Someone who knows me just laughed at that, because I’m also kind of short.) I had a lot of responsibility, and I was balancing that weight with beginning to wild out. Chris was the person who saw me for who I was and offered his ear, his support, and his advice. I think it’s important to talk about mental health openly, and we had just lost a friend to suicide. The day I found out, I remember thinking I didn’t know if I really wanted to be here either, and I remember running away from my friends while leaving work and running across a very busy street to get away from everything. I ended up finding a pay phone and looking up Chris’s home number in the phone book (yes, that’s how old I am). His wife answered, and I asked to speak with him, and told her it was an emergency. Chris got on the phone, and tears were streaming down my face. He asked did need him to come get me, and I said yes. He left his family on a Sunday afternoon and met me at a local Perkins, bought me a hot chocolate if I remember correctly. After everything he said, Jess I’m not sure you really needed me to come out here. Every time I am lucky to see him I remind him I did, and that he saved me that day. What I needed was to be seen, and he gave me that. It’s a lesson I carry with me, to be the same for others, because we never know what is going on with another person, and sometimes we just need someone to care.

My feature, Raise Your Hand, is partially a tribute to him as well.

I would also like to take this moment to remedy something…during 7th grade basketball we made little get to know you’s and one of the questions was who is your hero? My mom to this day is still upset I put Bette Midler. Bette is and forever will be one of my biggest role models, but I want to take this moment to SHOUT OUT MY MOM! Mom, I love you, Thank you for always doing your best,

Instagram: @jessyca_rae / @raiseyourhandfilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rae-8302b5224/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/raejessyca/

Image Credits
Raymond Andrew