True Gentleman Industries, aka True Gent, has shed its low profile and been officially launched by its founder, director Jordan Brady. An authentic family-owned production company with Kim Bradshaw as executive producer, True Gent is solely focused on making commercials for a talent roster consisting of Brady, writer/director Jeannette Godoy and director/cinematographer Ben Brady. Godoy and Jordan Brady are wife and husband, respectively, while Jordan and Ben are father and son. The three maintain individual careers, but have collaborated on features, shorts and multiple spots.
"We almost named the company Nepo Films," quipped Jordan, referring to perceived nepotism. “But we must win our respective gigs on merit. We’re more than ‘a collection of storytellers and artists'… we're literally a family of filmmakers with distinct voices, skillsets and points of view. The fun is helping one another with our creativity and craft."
Godoy is a first-generation Mexican-American writer/director. Her debut feature film, Diamond in The Rough, a Latina-led romcom, hit theaters last summer. She created and directed Pure Corazón, a series for Bumble, featuring an all-Latinx cast. Godoy said, "After my rom-com feature film Diamond In The Rough plus The Garcias, an HBO Max comedy, I would love more comedic opportunities for spots. It’s been really fun stretching my creative wings. And who better to have as my comedy mentor than my husband, Jordan Brady, who says 'funny is money.'" Godoy was selected for the SHOOT 2011 9th Annual New Directors Showcase and shortlisted for Shots' YDA with her inaugural spot for Bridgestone Tires. Fun fact: Godoy started as a dancer and choreographed Sir Mix-A-Lot's video, "Baby Got Back."
Ben Brady is a talented director/cinematographer, having shot and directed over 50 social spots for TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for Buick with Leo Burnett Detroit. His recent work for Atlas Butler with Fechtor won "Best In Show" at this year's Addy’s in Columbus, Ohio. Ben cut his teeth working under A-list directors and cinematographers, including Darius Khondji, Paul Thomas Anderson and Samuel Bayer. Ben is a partner in Void Studios in downtown Los Angeles.
Jordan Brady is a comedy director. He has directed four feature films, three full documentaries, one Netflix special and over 1,300 commercials. His feature films include Dill Scallion (Billy Burke, Lauren Graham, Henry Winkler) and Waking Up In Reno (Billy Bob Thornton, Charlize Theron and Patrick Swayze.) Jordan's campaign for Toyota via Lane Terralever is now in its 17th year. He recently shot RAM Trucks through Razorfish. He’s also the founder of the Commercial Directing Film School which launched in September 2015 with an in-person Bootcamp. During the pandemic, the school began offering online courses and now there are five online courses in addition to Bootcamps and an annual Filmmaker Retreat in Joshua Tree. Two online courses, Commercial Directing Masterclass and Commercial Directing Shadow, are also offered through Shane Hurlbut's Filmmakers Academy. Between the two platforms more than 4,000 filmmakers have participated, and over 500 in person. Scholarships are available and a DEI Award is given.
In addition to True Gent EP Bradshaw on the West Coast, the company is represented by Sarah Jenks on the East Coast, Julie Koellner in Texas, and Juliusson + Ratcliffe in the Midwest.
As a commitment to DEI, True Gent policy is to have a directorial shadow on every set, a practice Jordan has done for several years. Recent shadows followed him on a Smirnoff shoot with Kaley Cuoco, as well as work for Toyota and RAM Trucks. The aim is to expose underrepresented filmmakers to practices used on top level productions.
