Today we’d like to introduce you to Jondeisha “JD” Hall.
Jondeisha “JD”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I’m South Florida born (S/o Hollywood), Bahamian raised.
I’ve always gravitated toward the arts, and according to my mom, I’ve been noisy and expressive since I could project my voice. During my school years, childhood habits manifested in me being a singer and debater, with an insatiable desire and charisma to tell a story. When my mom passed away, I made a vow only to pursue a career that I loved. Through a series of events I can only describe as kismet, I found myself at an HBCU in East Tennessee, where my first mentor, Brad Case—my speech professor—asked about my vague business management major. When I couldn’t answer why, he encouraged me to reconsider.
After he discussed my potential in communication with me, he walked me into the admissions office, where I changed my major to communications. He exposed me to screenwriting, and as a retired screenwriter himself, gifted me a copy of one of his favorite scripts he’d worked on. It was the first episode of The Simpsons. It sparked my love for the craft. But that was just the beginning of my journey in Communications.
I moved to the University of Tennessee and discovered the varied roles within communications. To my surprise, I fell in love with working in radio and became an on-air DJ and junior producer at WUTK 90.3 FM. I interned at several TV and radio stations and spent time in Washington, DC’s diplomatic circle. In 2017, I returned to The Bahamas due to rising racial tension in parts of Tennessee and the surrounding area, post the results of the 2016 election. Back home, I found breaking into the industry even harder, despite being “overqualified” for roles.
A few months after moving, I met my second mentor, a cinematographer named Travon Patton, who needed editing assistance. With some editing experience, I joined a group he mentored in live production, cinematography, and filmmaking for a year and a half. I already knew the front end—planning, writing, talent, logistics—but now learned how to execute. When satisfied, he recommended the members of our group to different media organizations. For three years, I worked at ILTV Studios, a local studio that hosted Eyewitness News Bahamas, a local news outlet, and 103.5 The Beat, a local radio station, utilizing all my skills. It was challenging, but it helped me to grow my skills in production. By age 29, I’d built nationally recognized campaigns, voiced numerous commercials, and was the first female producer of Freedom March with Rodney Moncur. I had produced over 3,000 hours of TV and Radio, and managed at least five live events streamed nationally. Despite all this, I still felt unfulfilled.
In the midst of burnout, I took a vacation to recover and decided to pursue an idea for a show that wouldn’t leave me alone. With nothing to lose, I did it. For 2 weeks, I assembled different members of my friend group and asked them a series of questions on camera. The experience dredged up a familiar feeling of bliss, and honestly, it healed me. A little too well, if I may say. So much so, I came back to work and resigned…anything that would take me to a point of burnout where I no longer loved something that gave me life…just wasn’t for me.
I branched off to do freelance work and pursue different opportunities. I was even a part of my first writer’s room for a limited series. That same summer, I revisited the files from those recordings of my friends. There was literally no real plan when I shot, but looking at it months later, I figured it out. With all my skills combined, I edited a draft of something I thought resembled a pilot and sent it to my friends to share their thoughts. I was met with two questions: When are you dropping it? And where are the rest of the episodes?
The Gapseed Room was born, a show that balances the generational issues with the cultural nuances that resonated with thousands of people. For a long time, the media landscape in The Bahamas has struggled to develop past broadcast news. So, it was refreshing to have something for the people, by people they could relate to. It was casual, smart, offbeat, improper, and irreverent at times, but it was something people felt a part of even though they weren’t on set. It was more than I could have ever hoped for from a project that had already healed me before it went to edit.
It’s been three years since the first season, with two successful seasons behind us, and a third season on the horizon. I’ve grown tremendously. I’ve even made a return to broadcasting. Currently, I’m a producer for Our TV Bahamas, producing three different shows. The show I’m most visible in is the current affairs show, On the Record with Jerome Sawyer. It’s been an honor to have a veteran broadcaster trust my skill and my judgment, and I’ve valued his mentorship and friendship beyond words. Since our dynamic and (somewhat) whimsical collaboration, we’ve garnered four awards for On The Record, two local and two international. My time is now spent striking a balance between my day job and my passion projects, as well as the numerous side quests I take on from time to time.
What can I say, a girl likes to keep busy. The plan for this coming year is to embark on my filmmaking debut (or return for those who know) and let the magic of life surprise me, and really for God to show me how good it can get!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If I had to think of the most difficult I’ve had to conquer, finding balance between work and passion, the fight of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, the fight of having an “Unrealistic” vision for more, in an underdeveloped industry, and the fight of believing that your art deserves to exist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my professional career, I serve as a broadcast producer for Our TV Bahamas. I co-produce Our News Weekend broadcast, the current affairs show On The Record with Jerome Sawyer, and a docuseries called Our Voices. In the ILTV days, I was on air on the well-loved radio show “Unfiltered with Drew and Mo,” and my voice still opens both Freedom March and Beyond the Headlines. My personal projects, like “Gapseed” and my other side quests, are where I cut loose; traditional broadcast puts you in a tight box. On these projects, I become much more expressive, and it’s a truly freeing experience. I use the same level of producing skills that I use in my day job, but I get to be as mischievous as I’d like.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
No risk, no reward.
Moving back home when I did, knowing what the industry was, was risky. Leaving my first studio post with no backup job was super risky. Risk is just one of those things that comes with the territory of wanting more out of life.
Without it, sure, you are safe…but you never actually have a true opportunity to grow either. This game is for the brave and audacious.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justknowitsjd
- Twitter: https://x.com/justknowitsjd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegapseedroom9603
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thegapseedroom
Image Credits
Udaijah Taylor-Stevens – On The Record
