Death, Sex & Money Why Filmmaker Jay Duplass Had to (Kind of) Break Up With His Brother
10 snips
Sep 9, 2025 
Jay Duplass, acclaimed filmmaker known for his collaborations with his brother Mark, shares his bold move towards solo projects. He dives into the emotional journey of leaving behind a long partnership, influenced by tricky union rules and Mark's rising career. Jay talks about his new indie rom-com, 'The Baltimoreons,' co-written with comedian Michael Strassner. He also explores the challenges of forging his artistic identity while navigating the industry's evolving landscape, touching on resilience and the complexities of sibling dynamics in filmmaking.
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From Instagram DM To Leading Man
- Jay discovered Michael Strassner on Instagram during the pandemic and began mentoring him on a short film.
- That casual DM relationship led to a collaboration that grew into the feature The Baltimoreans.
Partnership That Grew Then Split
- Jay and Mark built a directing partnership that started in their youth and rose through indie film success.
- That partnership frayed as Mark's acting career expanded and Jay felt pressured to make work on his own timeline.
Guild Rules Forced A Career Choice
- The Directors Guild rules forced a formal choice: direct together or separately, which could end the pairing permanently.
- Jay describes losing a concrete movie opportunity because he couldn't wait for Mark's availability.
