Discover Dunwoody Highlights Jackson Giles The Monthly Distinguished Production Associate for May

These professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring productions to life, sometimes without the recognition they truly deserve. Jackson’s journey is a shining example of that dedication.

His fascination with film began early, captivated not just by stories on screen, but by how they were made. That curiosity turned into the start of a career in 1996 when he worked as a Production Assistant on the ABC miniseries “The Shining” while living in Colorado. This experience led Jackson to study Broadcast Journalism and TV Production at the University of Mississippi, where he also anchored the campus news and hosted a classic rock radio show.

After graduating, Jackson launched his own company, Freeze Frame Productions, where he focused on producing commercials and content for local television. This experience eventually led him to operate a leased access TV station in Coweta County, Georgia, which he managed for about ten years. During that time, he built a strong foundation in editing, production, management, and day-to-day operations. One standout project from this period was “The Fat Boy Chronicles,” a feature film he worked on as a Production Coordinator. The film addressed the topic of bullying and received meaningful feedback from educators and students, reinforcing Jackson’s passion for impactful storytelling.

In 2014, Jackson decided to close his TV station and shift his focus to working in film full-time. One of his early projects during this transition was “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” where he assisted with coordinating the film’s detailed halftime show scene. It was through this experience that he discovered a strong fit for travel coordination, a role that combined his logistical skills and attention to detail in a fast-paced production environment.

Since then, Jackson has specialized as a Production Travel Coordinator, managing travel for medium-to-large-scale film and television productions. His work involves collaborating with producers, cast, and crew to coordinate flights, hotels, ground transportation, housing, charter jets, and other travel services. This essential support helps ensure the cast and crew can stay focused on the creative work and be where they need to be to do it. The role involves a lot of moving parts and can be fast paced, but it's also very fulfilling.

Since joining IATSE Local 161, Jackson has built a strong reputation as a Production Travel Coordinator, working with studios like Marvel, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros., and DC Studios. Over the past few years, he’s coordinated travel for major productions including “The Suicide Squad,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and the upcoming “Superman.” He’s also developed strong ties with James Gunn’s core production team.

Off set, Jackson shares his passion for film with his children, who have had the opportunity to work as background actors on several productions. He’s currently exploring independent filmmaking and hopes to develop a project with and for his 10-year-old daughter. From managing logistics on major film productions to encouraging future storytellers at home, Jackson exemplifies the spirit of this recognition program. Discover Dunwoody is proud to celebrate his contributions to the industry.

Photo Credit: Charles Maceo