Jacqueline “JJ” Ingram, the beloved producer, who quickly worked her way up the ladder in Chicago film, TV, and commercial production, has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 49.
As word of JJ’s passing hit our film community, the accolades poured in from those who knew and loved her, filling in the timeline of her career, and the impact felt by her loss. For every sentiment left here, there are untold more whose lives have been touched by JJ.
Many thanks to Victoria Harris for her assistance in this story, and for eloquently summing up the feelings of grief many are experiencing.
Victoria Harris:
“What I realize now, in speaking with so many people who love her, is that she was gifted at holding meaningful and personal relationships with everyone she met. She connected with you in a way that mattered to you and her relationship with you. In death, she is the thread that has woven all of us together into an amazing tapestry of discovery. It is fair to say we are all learning more about her, and ourselves as we grieve. She was a beacon of hope, resilience and fierce loyalty. Her friendship made you feel safe, heard and loved. I will miss her, but she is with me… she is with all of us.”
In 2010, Jacqueline “JJ” Ingram made a leap of faith from a career in event planning to a job in the film business when she joined the crew of the Chicago-made feature, I Heart Shakey, as Associate Producer. Line Producer, Carrie Holt Delama, remembers JJ as a friend for all seasons. The kind you wanted to talk with on good days, and bad.
Carrie Holt Delama:
“When a beautiful person goes, they take a big part of us with them. From the first day I met JJ, her smile lit up any room. Witty, lively, brutally honest, she had a rare ability to connect with folks — really connect with them — in a deep and meaningful way. That’s why so many loved her so much. I feel blessed that I got to watch her career up as she moved from production assistant to executive producer. She was on the path to a long, wonderful, exciting career as an immensely talented producer. She was inspiring, and kind hearted. A friend for all seasons. It takes your breath away to think you can not pick up the phone and hear her voice, share a laugh, run ideas past her. Like everyone who knew her, I miss her already, and I always will.”
According to Vincent Shade, who was the first AD on I Heart Shakey, it was on that set, that Jacqueline earned the name JJ.
Vincent Shade:
“JJ had a great sense of humor and she was a soldier when it came to business, which made her a great producer that everyone wanted to work with. If you met her on set or outside of the film industry you would know immediately she is a person with a beautiful soul and a heart for people. I’ll miss her and the light she brought with her that made everyone’s day brighter.”Stan Wozniak, Managing Partner of CineCity Studios:
“I met Jacqui before “JJ” was a thing and since day one I’ve always known her to be a person of integrity and a woman of her word. I’ll miss her and the many laughs we shared.”
When JJ met up with Reid Brody in 2012, her life was about to change. Reid was crewing up for the filming of Bad Johnson. He recalls that he was so taken by JJ’s warmth and sincerity that he hired her as the Production Coordinator, where she was introduced to the basics of film production as well as the Chicago Film Community.
Reid Brody:
“JJ’s passing is an immense loss for me both personally and professionally. Beyond being one of the kindest and most sincere people I’ve ever known, she demonstrated remarkable professional growth in a short period of time. She was on the brink of making a significant impact in the film industry. I will miss her greatly. JJ affectionately called me Uncle Reid, a nickname that always made me smile. Rest in peace, dear niece JJ.”
JJ went on to work as Line Producer with writer/director Kris Rey on her film, Unexpected, and then 7 more films in the next two years.
When Reid Brody began the production of Who Gets The Dog? he reached out to JJ. He was disappointed that she wasn’t available to work on his film but happy to see that she was so busy. JJ later joined up as Post-production Executive to help close out Who Gets The Dog? Reid and JJ worked very closely in that era when she officed out of Filmworkers. In that environment she was introduced to the Chicago Advertising world and started working on the commercial side of things.
She also went on to do 8 more films in the next three years.
When Lisa Masseur and Tim Mason sold the series Work In Progress to Showtime and were looking to crew out the production. Reid introduced JJ to Tim and Lisa and she was hired on the team as the Supervising Producer, opening the door to the world of producing a TV series.
Tim Mason:
“JJ was a calming presence who could communicate volumes of information with a simple look or glance. The production would never have worked without JJ’s expertise, effort and friendship and I’m so sad to hear that she has left us. She was a talent and a force in the Chicago production world and her loss leaves a huge hole in our city’s creative world.”
Lilly Wachowski
“I am devastated by the loss of our pal, and friend and comrade. Such a huge vacuum left by this force of a woman, a shockwave that out ripples across so many different aspects of her life. The word “family” takes on such complex nuance when you see how connected JJ was to so many people. It’s hard to fathom this loss and what it means to Chicago film making but even harder that I will never be able to tell stories with my friend again.”
JJ’s experience on Work in Progress pointed her focus toward television, setting her sights on development.
Stephanie Jeter, co-founder of Breaking Light Studio met JJ in 2017 and several years later their paths crossed again when Lilly Wachowski suggested they get together. They met up a few weeks later and talked about their common goals.
Stephanie Jeter:
“JJ was very responsive to the work that we’re doing at Breaking Light, so it was a natural fit! She officially joined our team in 2022 as our creative development producer. During our work together, JJ co-designed and co-managed a writer’s program with me, helped Lilly and I develop film projects, and raised her hand to be the lead producer on our upcoming productions which I eagerly accepted and championed. JJ was a woman who led with kindness and a strong conviction for truth and fairness. I am profoundly lucky and honored to have gotten to know her, to call her my friend, and to learn by her example what it means to live life with gusto. I am utterly devastated that her time was cut so short, but I’m so grateful for the impression of beauty and light that she left on me and on so many people.”
Eric Almond:
“JJ Ingram was a highly influential figure in the Chicago film industry. Through her guidance, numerous individuals were able to kickstart their careers in this field, paving the way for their remarkable achievements. Her legacy will undoubtedly live on, shaping our future endeavors in the industry.”
Geoffrey Dukes had the good fortune to work on nine films with JJ, with so many wonderful memories.
Geoffrey Dukes:
“She always found humor in everything, but JJ was the one who held it together for all of us crew members. On Precious Mettle (2013), we made Aurora’s Casino our production office. We would play the slots, lose a lot of money, and then go back to the office to work. She taught me to enjoy the moment but work hard. In 2014, while working on Unexpected, she made sure that her circle was taken care of and got the credit they deserved. She taught us never to let people take advantage of us. I got to travel to Sundance with her because Unexpected was in the festival, and I remember us sticking by each other’s side as we navigated this new experience together. We would walk down Main Street and would say, ‘We’ve worked!’ One of JJ’s greatest qualities was giving everyone a chance because she always saw the potential in everyone, even if you couldn’t see it yourself yet. That’s how she became not only my mentor but also my friend. I’m eternally grateful to have known Jacqueline “JJ” Ingram. I just keep telling myself this isn’t a goodbye-It’s just a see you later.”
Seth K Thomas
“I met JJ back in 2022 when she was working on a pilot project with a fellow alum from university, Ron Conner. They were working on a sketch comedy pilot and I was brought in as writer. She had a very clear vision of what she wanted to put together and what she wanted the show to be. As a writer, it was very easy for me to produce work for JJ because her vision was very clear. It was a fantastic writing experience. JJ had a gift for the world and she was in the process of making that gift and wrapping it up and getting ready to give it to everyone when she left.”
JJ Ingram’s list of credits:
Work in Progress (2019–2021)
B-Roll (2019)
Once Upon a River (2019)
Come As You Are (2019)
I Am Not Broken (2018)
The Long Dumb Road (2018)
Funeral for a Bird (2017)
Chasing the Blues (2017)
Written Off (2017)
Who Gets the Dog? (2016)
Chasing Gold (2016)
Operator (2016)
Cycles (2016)
Kill Game (2016)
A Light Beneath Their Feet (2015)
The Chef Whisperer (2015)
Bloomin Mud Shuffle (2015)
Unexpected (2015)
Bad Johnson (2014)
Baby Mary (2014)
Dhoom 3 (2013)
The Painter (2013)
Drinking Buddies (2013)
I Heart Shakey (2012)
JJ’s final production was HoneyLand, an original sketch series that explores the absurdity of life through the characters of HoneyLand. Taking first place at the 2024 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival for Outstanding Micro Short.
More than anything, JJ wanted to make people laugh.
JJ’s greatest passion was caring for her nieces and nephews. Although she loved all of her nieces and nephews, she was dedicated to raising her niece, Journi, great nephew Da’Quell and great-niece Destiny (aka JJ’s kids.)
Please note:
Per JJ’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to JJ’s Education Fund for the children through Venmo account: venmo.com/u/JJsEducationFund
SERVICES
VISITATION
Friday
June 21, 2024
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Joseph R. Jones Funeral Home
5515 W Chicago
WAKE
Saturday
June 22, 2024
10:00 AM
Miracle Revival Center
2010 St Charles Road
Maywood, IL 60153
FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday
June 22, 2024
11:00 AM
Miracle Revival Center
2010 St Charles Road
Maywood, IL 60153
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Thursday
June 27, 2024
4-8 PM
CineCity Studios
1414 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
