WHO WE ARE:
Man In The Arena Films was born out of the relentless passion of a husband-and-wife duo, Jay and Devon Saunders, who share not only a love for each other, but a profound obsession with storytelling.
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Having met each other at an audition, their connection was instant. They realized how much they had in common and that they both felt that they were not seeing the kinds of movies that they wanted to be a part of anymore.
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So they went out to do it themselves.
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The desire to explore the darker, more complex stories of the human condition through the genres of horror, adventure, and myths became their focus.
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Their first adventure horror web-series “ITHACA: The Miniseries”, was recognized by several industry professionals, such as Eduardo Sanchez (Director of “THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT”) who has since become their Executive Producer and Mentor. Their first feature film “PETERSONS - Site 3” has been two years in the making and will feature some of Virginia and Maryland’s best talent.
Man In The Arena Films was born with the mission: to create ambitious projects regardless of the budget, or lack of resources. For Jay and Devon, the arena isn’t just a battleground; it’s where the human spirit is tested, where myths are explored, where the human condition is celebrated, and where their audiences are left both terrified and deeply reflective.
Their partnership, both in life and in filmmaking, is built on a shared understanding that the most powerful stories are not the ones where people simply win or lose, but where people transform when they are forced to confront who they really are. This is the soul of Man In The Arena Films—films made by and for those who daringly step into the arena.
JAY SAUNDERS
Jay Saunders is an award winning DC filmmaker and actor.
Born and raised overseas in Indonesia, he brings a unique vision to all of his projects, searching for the deeper strands of the Human condition that bind us.
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He is no stranger to acting and directing in his own projects, having created the cinematic, award winning Horror Adventure Series ITHACA: THE MINISERIES over eight years with his wife. He has a resourceful talent for making every production look cinematic regardless of budget while giving horror and adventure a complex, nuanced, emotional weight. ​
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​Jay has acted professionally since 2007. He has a classically trained background, performing as Hamlet for the Globeworks Theater Company in several theaters across North Carolina. On film he has starred in multiple feature films including the cult favorite NINJAS VERSUS movies, ADMINS, EISIS, and Eduardo Sanchez’ segment in VHS 2: A ride in the Park. He has been seen in several Military suicide prevention Advertisements and training films for the ARMY, NAVY and AIR FORCE.
Jay brings an empathetic connection to the audience with a wide range of emotions, dancing between a subtle intensity, to a dynamic explosiveness, to an accessible vulnerability. He has a deep passion for working with Combat Veterans in all forms of media.
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​Outside of film, Jay has a deep passion for working with Combat Veterans and spending time with his daughter, and teaching her that you fight for your passions without compromising your values, regardless of the setbacks, or resources, or doubts.
DEVON SAUNDERS
Devon has been in film on various platforms her whole life, but scoring her first large role at age 23, she played Ben Affleck's Secretary in "State of Play". Most notably, for the last several years, she has been the “Mom of Maryland” in the frequently nationally aired Maryland Tourism commercial "Open For It".
Although a Virginia native, she very proudly represents all over the DMV as a local film star and has been a leading actress in films such as "Ghosts Don’t Exist", "Ninjas vs Vampires", "Ninjas vs Monsters", "Admins" and "ITHACA: THE MINISERIES". She was also in V/H/S 2 alongside her husband and co-star, Jay Saunders, as "Amy".
Her Passion for film and authenticity is ever present in all that she does. Her eyes will draw you in to feel an array of emotions as you live the tale she tells, along for the visceral ride she will take you on. In all that she does - as an Actor, Mom, Wife, Aunt, Daughter or Friend - she loves with every fiber of her being.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
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​Theodore Roosevelt
