Reverie Welcomes Acclaimed Director JJ Augustavo
Reverie Content adds filmmaker JJ "Jon Jon" Augustavo to its roster of extraordinary directorial talent. Hailing from Seattle, JJ’s early collaborations in the music industry made him a highly sought-after collaborator for artists and brands seeking a poetic visual approach to authentic storytelling with a progressive, fresh edge.
JJ's music videos masterfully capture realism with fantastical elements inspired by street culture and have collectively garnered upwards of four billion views worldwide. Known for pioneering Macklemore’s trademark film style, he directed the Seattle rapper’s music video for his breakout hit “Thrift Shop,” later winning an MTV VMA for “Same Love” and a Grammy nomination for “Can’t Hold Us.” Other artists who’ve tapped JJ for his whimsical imagery and sharp cinematic vocabulary include Mike Posner, Shawn Mendes, MAGIC!, Arlissa, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Park.
His documentary-style PSA, “Thoughts and Prayers,” which highlighted the youth-led March for Our Lives in support of gun control, won an ADC Award in the Experimental category. He also directed the film “We Are Undefeatable” for Sport England, which went on to win a Creative Circle Bronze Award for Best Film for Positive Change, and Mazda’s “Unboxed” series starring Hiroyuki Sanada. More commercial films directed by JJ include Adidas, Reebok, Folgers, Foot Locker, Walmart, Taco Bell, Puma, Lowes, T-Mobile, RX Bar, Clorox, and a Cadillac spot starring Lenny Kravitz.
Most recently, JJ released “Out of the Abyss”—a poetic coming-of-age story that explores the life, people, and places that have shaped 15-year-old Seattle native Dreson Jimerson. The film premiered earlier this month on Shortverse. JJ’s other narrative work includes the short film “Just a Kid From $eattle,” which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
On his recent signing, JJ Augustavo says, "As my career has progressed, my definition of success has changed. To be honest most of the time I've been absolutely terrified about what is next, but I have never let it keep me from doing what I wanted – and as I think of it, the more I believe there is nothing more successful than spending your time with and working with good people like Rich and Cathleen who believe in me and my creative voice. I'm looking forward to sharing this next chapter of my life and career with the Reverie team.”
Rich Pring, Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Reverie Content adds, “JJ’s films have a singular and authentic vision that stand out to me in a powerful way. He masterfully balances storytelling with a strong natural visual style. Consistently unearthing culture in his music videos, short films, and work for brands, you can always feel his focus getting to the soul of the subject in front of him. JJ also happens to be a very good human and we’re proud to represent him.
