Jay Karas

Last updated

Jay Karas
Alma mater University of Southern California
Occupation(s)Film director, television director
Years active1994–present
SpouseMonica
Children1
Website jaykaras.com

Jay Karas is an American film and television director.

Contents

Career

Karas's resume primarily consists of directing live telecasts and stand-up comedy specials. In recent years he moved on to directing episodic television, directing episodes of Parks and Recreation , Raising Hope , Awkward , The Fosters , Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Workaholics . [1] In 2014, Karas made his feature film directing debut with the film Break Point , starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton. [2]

Karas's episode of Dice was one of The Hollywood Reporter 's "Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016" [3] and Teachers made Vanity Fair 's "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now". [4]

Personal life

Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California. [5] He lives in Italy [6] with his wife Monica and their son Leo.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997 The Jenny McCarthy Show Associate director, coordinating producer22 episodes
2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Director, co-executive producer8 episodes
2007 MADtv Director3 episodes
2007–2008 Frank TV 18 episodes
2009NESN Comedy All-Stars8 episodes
2011 Eagleheart 2 episodes
2012–2013 The Burn with Jeff Ross 12 episodes
2011–2013 After Lately Director, executive producer, co-executive producer16 episodes
2013 Parks and Recreation DirectorEpisode: "Doppelgängers"
2014 Awkward 2 episodes
UnstrungTelevision movie, ABC Family
2015 About a Boy Episode: "About a Manniversary"
The Fosters Episode: "Justify the Means"
Sirens 2 episodes
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Episode: "Sabotage"
Finding Carter Episode: I Knew You Were Trouble
Impastor 2 episodes
Married 2 episodes
Switched at Birth Episode: "To the Victor Belong the Spoils"
Kevin from Work Episode: "Escape from Work"
2016 Deadbeat 3 episodes
The Swap Television movie, Disney Channel
2015–2017 Kirby Buckets 6 episodes
2011–2017 Workaholics 8 episodes
2017 Lopez 2 episodes
2016–2017 Dice 4 episodes
2018 Alone Together 2 episodes
Great News Episode: "The Fast Track"
Ghosted Episode: "The Premonition"
Siren Episode: "Interview With a Mermaid"
2018–2020 Superstore 3 episodes
2018–2019 Splitting Up Together 4 episodes
2016–2018 Those Who Can't 4 episodes
2017–2018 Teachers Director, producer16 episodes
2019 The Kids Are Alright Director3 episodes
Sunnyside Episode: "Skirt Skirt"
2020 The Baker and The Beauty Episode: "Honeymoon's Over"
The Main Event (2020 film)
Love, Victor Episode: "What Happens in Willacoochee"
2021 The Moodys Season two
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode: "Breakaway"
Dynasty Episode: "A Public Forum for Her Lies"
Turner & Hooch Episode: "Diamonds Are Furever"
Acapulco 5 episodes
2022 Abbott Elementary 2 episodes
2022-2024 Ghosts 3 episodes
2023 So Help Me Todd Episode: "Ivan the Terrible"
True Lies Episode: "Independent Dependents"
ForthcomingThe ExtraditersCo-writerIn partnership with Dean Ward
Rewrite of Man UpIn partnership with Dean Ward for CBS Films [7]

Comedy

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012D.L. Hughley: ResetDirector, executive producer D.L. Hughley special
2013Doug Stanhope: Beer Hall PutschDirector, executive producer Doug Stanhope special
2014Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That WayDirector Bill Burr special
2014Chelsea Peretti: One of the GreatsExecutive producer Chelsea Peretti special
2015Demetri Martin: Live (At the Time)Director Demetri Martin special
2015Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl InterruptedDirector Tig Notaro special
2016Tom Segura: Mostly StoriesDirector Tom Segura specially
2016Not Safe with Nikki GlaserDirector Nikki Glaser special
2016Ali Wong: Baby CobraDirector Ali Wong special
2017Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been ThinkingDirector Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy special
2017 Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out Director, executive producerBill Burr special
2017Christina P: Mother InferiorDirector Christina Pazsitzk special
2018Tom Segura: DisgracefulDirectorTom Segura special
2018Ali Wong: Hard Knock WifeDirectorAli Wong special
2018Demetri Martin: The OverthinkerDirectorDemetri Martin special

Advertising

Karas has directed spots for brands including Ford, Target, Coke Zero, and Fandango, as well campaigns for ABC, Disney, E!, A&E, and TBS, including Conan's launch campaigns and the viral "Desk Wash" spot. [8]

Music video

YearTitleArtistRole
2004"Keeping Last"The Forgiven FridaysProducer

Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2013 Parks and Recreation Online Film & Television Association, OFTA Television Award, Best Direction in a Comedy SeriesNominated
2014 Break Point Newport Beach Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in FilmmakingWon
2014Break Point SXSW Film Festival, Narrative SpotlightNominated

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References

  1. "INTERVIEW: Director Jay Karas Talks To Me About The More Than Just a Sports Movie, Break Point". Rama's Screen. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  2. "Interview: Director 'Jay Karas' Talks His Feature Film Directorial Debut Break Point". Red Carpet Crash. August 22, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  3. Goodman, Tim; Fienberg, Daniel (December 21, 2016). "Dice - Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  4. Wolcott, James (January 18, 2017). "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now". Vanity Fair . Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  5. "Two BHS Alums Making Their Mark at Disney". Courant Community. October 6, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. "Jay Karas bio".
  7. N'Duka, Amanda (April 28, 2017). "Jay Karas & Dean Ward Tapped To Rewrite Comedy Man Up For CBS Films". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  8. Dahl, Oscar (November 9, 2010). "Conan is back — all is right with the world". Today . Retrieved May 22, 2018.