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Talent
Transplant
Jason Campbell
Photo by Rebecca Devono.
MAGGIE HATFIELD
In celebration of those who have adopted our Mountain Mama as their own,
“Talent Transplant” recognizes the Mountaineers who were born elsewhere but
relocated here, embraced our beloved state and now help us work toward
a brighter future.
Even though Jason Campbell, president
of JCFilms, ended up in West Virginia
by chance, he has made it his mission
to change the negative narrative in the
Mountain State.
Campbell found himself in the hills of
West Virginia for the first time in 2013
while doing a tour for a film he produced
with actor Erik Estrada. The beauty of
the state and the kindness of the people
had a lasting impact on Campbell, and he
decided to put down roots in Morgantown.
Campbell is known for tackling social
issues like bullying and the opioid crisis
through his films, and when he moved to
the Mountain State, the mission of JCFilms
expanded to include helping eliminate the
unwarranted stereotypes that plague his
new home state.
Captivated by West Virginia
Campbell made his first family-friendly
and faith-based film, “Finding Faith,”
with Estrada. Based on a true story with
the West Virginia State Police at its center,
the film warns parents about the dangers
of the internet. Filming took place in
Lynchburg, VA, Campbell’s hometown, but
featured police officers and police cruisers
from West Virginia.
90
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
enthusiasm and pride of the people of
West Virginia anywhere else. The first
time I visited here, that feeling became
contagious. I knew I not only wanted a
family here, but I also wanted to share
those attributes in my films.”
Changing the Culture
The film was a success. Given Estrada’s
passion for educating teens and parents
about internet safety, he and Campbell
decided to do a film tour. The duo took
the film from town to town and church to
church all over America, educating com-
munities on the real dangers of the web.
“Erik and I traveled to more than 200
churches around the country showing
‘Finding Faith,’” says Campbell.
In March 2013, the pair ended up in
West Virginia, and it was then that Camp-
bell fell in love with the Mountain State.
“Here, I found people who really care
about family and community and are
genuine—not to mention the pride the
people here have, which is so captivating,”
he says. “You just can’t find the sincerity,
Initially, “Finding Faith” was to be
the only film Campbell would write and
produce, but the more of the U.S. he saw,
the more he was inclined to help with
social issues.
“As we traveled with the film around
the nation, more film opportunities came
up,” he says. “After we would do a screen-
ing, people would come up to me and
start telling me their stories—inspirational
stories, tragic stories, purpose stories and
stories that fueled change.”
From those personal experiences came
the mission of JCFilms: to change the cul-
ture through film. Through the 20 films
the company has since produced, it has
addressed issues like freedom of religion,
law enforcement appreciation, prison
ministry, foreign missionary work and
unexpected kindness. While most of
Campbell’s films go directly to Walmart
and Video On Demand, he has had two