This week's goGIRL of the Week is Jayda D. Thompson. Jayda is a Writer/Producer based in New York and Chicago. She is an alumnus of the University of Illinois, where she earned a B.S degree in Media Studies. Jayda's introduction to film began in a course titled "African American Women in Cinema" taught by celebrated film scholar Dr. Frances Gateward. For three years, Jayda worked closely under Dr. Gateward completing minors in both African American and Cinema Studies; creating a unique specialization in African American Cinema, and graduating with honors.
In addition to her undergraduate studies, Jayda received intense training through The Priceless Edge Internship Program sponsored by Mastercard, The William Morris Agency, CAA, Interscope, and Universal. She also worked in video production for both Sony Music Entertainment, and Interscope. Prompted by her experiences, she developed and taught a filmmaking/mentoring program for minority teen girls at The Boys and Girls Club for three years. Her work with the girls is cited in Dr. Ruth Brown's Black Girlhood Celebration: Toward a Hip-Hop Feminist Pedagogy.After graduating from the University of Illinois in 2007, Jayda was accepted into Columbia University's graduate MFA film program. Her screenplay, "Candles for Christina" was directed by Bobby K. Cox and made its debut in the Fall of 2008 at a community screening in Harlem. Then, she produced "Couples Only" directed by Gina Atwater, which also premiered in 2008. She followed that with Co-producing "The Curious Complications of Role Playing," official selection of the 2009 Columbia University film festival.
Jayda works at Columbia University's law school as a media technician where she is developing her knowledge of contracts, copyright law, and intellectual property issues. She enjoys writing and producing projects that highlight young Black women. Currently, she is in pre production on a short film developed in the Sundance Director's Lab. Jayda is an active member of many film organizations including IFP, Columbia Women in Film, and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In the future, Jayda plans to teach film production abroad with the Fulbright Foundation, and adapt literary works by African American authors for the big screen.
Jayda is the True Definition of a good GIRL going places, she is unstoppable! With her experience and determination I am positive we will see her films world wide! Keep up the good work and we will see you in movie theater very soon!
Are you a girl on the go?
Do you know a good girl, going places?
Nominate yourself or someone else at gogirlent2009@gmail.com
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