Written, Directed and Produced by J. David Shanks

An aspiring actress leaves the comfort and security her loving family provides in small town America seeking the fame and bright lights of Hollywood. She quickly discovers that while money and acclaim are abundant in the city of angels, there is also a much darker and ominously treacherous side inhabited by predators and their unsuspecting prey. TALENT written and Directed by J. David Shanks stars the phenomenally gifted actress Lynn Wactor and one of Hollywood’s fastest rising talents, Nelsan Ellis of HBO’s smash hit TRUE BLOOD. The film is an exploration of the choices we make during extreme duress and the consequences we face as a result.
View the Trailer
(TOP)

RIFF RAFF

Written by Laurence Fishburne
Directed by David C. Johnson
Produced by J. David Shanks

Two inept criminals meet in city jail and discover they share a drunken-abusive father. The Brothers plot to rob what they believe is a low level drug dealer only to find themselves running for their lives and seeking refuge in an abandoned New York City tenement waiting for help that arrives in the form of judge, jury and executioner. Life’s a Hustle Theater Group and Filmworks produced this gritty tragedy on the stage of Columbia College Hollywood to energetic audiences that raved about the gripping performance of Rolando Boyce, Kem Saunders, and J. David Shanks. View the Trailer
(TOP)

3 Minute Brother

Written, Directed, and Produced By J David Shanks

Since the dawn of time men and women have been at odds over matters of the heart. Infidelity, true intimacy and commitment have always been the catalyst for volatile confrontations. Three Minute Brother is a highly stylized short film that brings to light some of the conversations that occur between the sexes behind closed doors. It examines what men and women really feel but often times don’t express in fear of inflicting hurt, being misunderstood, or judged.

The film’s Moderator, a Rod Serling throw back, escorts the audience through three vignettes that provide a fly on the wall perspective into couples deeply personal issues. Each segment is roughly three minutes in length and attempts to prompt honest discussion between men and women in an effort to better understand our differences. View the Trailer (TOP)

VILE

Written and Produced by J. David Shanks
Directed by J. David Shanks

J. David Shanks has added director to his growing list of industry credits. He has made his directorial debut with a compelling psychological thriller entitled VILE. David also wrote and produced the dark drama about a grief stricken detective that comes face to face with a serial pedophile responsible for a string of deaths. Detective Rahman Briggs played brilliantly by Rolando Boyce is confronted by confessed murderer and child molester Leonard DuSard played brilliantly as well by film veteran Leonard L. Thomas who appears most recently in Black Snake Moan opposite Samuel L. Jackson. The two men play a deadly game of cat and mouse that has a tragic result.
Vile Trailer. (TOP)

NO COINCIDENCE

Written and Produced By J. David Shanks
Directed By Rod Kirkman

Principal Cast: J. David Shanks, Pam Mack, James T. Alfred, Gisla Stringer, and Derrick Anthony.

Synopsis: No Coincidence is the story of an unlikely love affair. Styles Parker Vance, a successful young businessman, encounters a beautiful young woman named Daryl Grey while on his way to work. The two meet in his apartment building when Daryl is visiting a friend and from there the sparks fly. Time passes and they develop a deep love for one another. The conflict occurs when Daryl discloses that she is married. Unbeknownst to both Daryl and Styles, her husband, Jackson Grey, is a new business associate of Styles. Jackson has his own revelation that will change all of their lives.

Festivals:
Black Harvest Film Festival 2003, Urbanworld Film Festival 2003, Twin Cities Film Festival 2003, Jamerican Film Festival 2003 and winner of the Best Short Film Award at the Visions Blue Film Festival 2003.   (TOP)

TRESPASS

Written By Nelsan Narie Ellis
Directed By Xandy Smith
Produced By Nelsan Narie Ellis and J. David Shanks

Principal Cast: Harry J. Lennix, Nelsan Narie Ellis, and J. David Shanks

Synopsis: When Brickland comes to see his adopted brother, Donnie, in an institution for the first time in over three years, he finds disturbing answers to the questions that have bothered him for so long. What Donnie reveals about his father tests love and hate while revealing a nightmarish story that Brickland can hardly stand to hear.

Festivals
TRESPASS made its’ world premier in 2005 at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Trespass had the distinct honor of being selected as one of five finalist in the 2006 HBO short film competition sponsored in part with the American Black Film Festival held in beautiful South Beach Miami. The film was later acquired by HBO and aired in 2007. View the HBO interview. (TOP)

In 2007, J.David Shanks produced, co-directed, and portrayed the deeply layered and complex BOOTH in a production of Suzan Lori-Parks critically  acclaimed TopDog UnderDog for packed houses and received rave reviews at Columbia College Hollywood. (TOP)