Meet Sarah Jayne Brown | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Jayne Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah Jayne, how do you think about risk?
Every major turning point in my career has come from a risk — emotionally, financially, and creatively. I’ve chosen to tell stories that scare me. I launched a crowdfunding campaign without knowing where the money would come from. I write scripts that straddle genres and center complex women, even when I’ve been told they won’t sell. I write them anyway, knowing that they reveal a piece of myself. That kind of vulnerability has been both a risk and a superpower. I used to be afraid of taking chances. But every time I do, I get closer to the life I’m meant to live.

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.
My work is deeply personal and is always rooted in emotional truth. I create stories that explore the intersection of desire, power, and identity, especially from the perspective of women who are messy, magnetic, and unforgettable. My willingness to go there — emotionally, politically, and spiritually- sets me apart. My current film, Unicorn’s Dilemma, is a darkly glamorous erotic drama about fantasy, manipulation, and survival — it pulls from lived experiences and asks uncomfortable questions about agency and intimacy.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. I don’t come from money, and I don’t have industry connections. I’ve had to create opportunities, self-fund, crowdfund, and advocate for myself over and over again. But every “no” has sharpened my clarity. Every obstacle has deepened my commitment. I’ve learned that the stories that scare me the most to tell are usually the ones that resonate the loudest.

What I’ve learned is that art is supposed to be transgressive — It’s meant to push boundaries, challenge norms, and make us feel something real. For a long time, I worried about being too much. Too emotional, too explicit, too complicated. But now I understand that what makes my work “too much” is also what makes it powerful. If my stories make people uncomfortable or cracked open or seen — then I’ve done my job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I’m such a homebody, it’s borderline unhinged. I’ve lovingly referred to my apartment as my $1700 coffin because I rarely leave it — but if my best friend is in town for a week, I’ll peel myself off the floor and show them the best of LA—first stop: The Vista Theatre and Pam’s Coffee, both owned by Quentin Tarantino. If we’re lucky enough to catch a packed showing, it will feel like church for film lovers — the energy is unmatched.

We’d have to get a little unhinged ourselves with a visit to the Museum of Torture on Hollywood Blvd. (Because…balance) and if I’m feeling extra film nerd that day, I suggest we visit Larry Edmunds Bookshop, where you can buy screenplays like Muholland Drive and American Psycho for $15.

And then we’d shake off the existential dread by dancing at The Abbey in West Hollywood. Better yet, a full WeHo pub crawl. Bonus points if we’re tipsy at a taco truck by 2 am.

Lake Hollywood is my go-to hike — the view of the Hollywood sign is iconic, the deer sightings feel cinematic, and it’s the only cardio I’ll do without complaining. For brunch, it’s Issa Rae’s Hilltop Kitchen — the cornbread alone will change your life.

We’ll also thrift at the Silver Lake Flea Market, where you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed. Then we’ll hit the Last Bookstore because I refuse to have an LA experience that isn’t at least a little bit moody and romantic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out my Grandmother, who raised me with fierce love and unwavering belief in my potential, even when the world told me to play small. I also want to thank the artists, mentors, and chosen family who saw my vision before I had the confidence to believe that my writing could go far, especially those who supported Unicorn’s Dilemma in its earliest, rawest form. Every script, every risk, every step forward is rooted in the love and encouragement I’ve received from them. I wouldn’t be here without their faith in my voice.

Instagram: thepeoplevssarahjayne

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjbrown92/

Image Credits
For the first photo, the image was taken by America Arevelo. The other Two Photos were taken by Tyee Tilghman. The fourth photo was taken by me.