WHO WE ARE
Crux Jinx is one of San Francisco’s leading independent film companies. We’ve been making award-winning films for more than a decade, including “Flip the Switch”, which won awards in several countries. Crux Jinx has worked with global corporations and NGOs like Barilla, Hogan Lovells, Salesforce, and Barefoot College.
“WHAT’S A CRUX JINX?”
We often find ourselves in life at a crux, where we feel jinxed by the situation and not happy about our choices. The decision we make from that feeling, at that moment, defines us. Crux Jinx is the point from which we truly define ourselves. Dave’s best friend growing up in Illinois, Jamie Perry, was the first to believe in his dream to be a filmmaker. Together they started filming a documentary called “Dreaming in Mid-America”, about the big and small dreams that people in the Midwest have… a few months later, he died from a brain tumor. Crux Jinx is named that to honor Jamie and his belief in Dave’s dream, which is now a reality.
meet the team
DAVE MOUTRAY
Dave Moutray is an award-winning film director and born storyteller who harbors a deep-seated passion for telling stories of social impact and change. Hailing from the heart of the Midwest, he found his filmmaking dreams realized in the creative hub of the Bay Area. Armed with an M.A. in English and an M.F.A. in Screenwriting, he strives to paint vivid narratives on the cinematic canvas.
At the helm of his venture, Crux Jinx Productions, and as a co-founder of the Bay Area Film Mixer, Dave doesn’t just create films; he cultivates a thriving community of film professionals. These platforms have not only enriched the local film industry but also fostered a network where creativity is celebrated and collaborations are ignited. In 2023, Dave was honored as a Jefferson Award recipient for his work with Bay Area Film Mixer.
Dave Moutray’s filmography stands as a striking testament to his exceptional talent. From winning Best Feature Film at the Noor Film Festival with “Losing Her,” to securing Best Screenplay for his short film “Nobody’s Laughing” at the Epidemic Film Festival, Moutray’s narrative artistry is evident. His feature script, “The Kidnapper,” has claimed a spot within the top 2% on Coverfly and earned recognition from the Blacklist, while his series spec, “Light Walker,” placed Top Ten with Roadmap Writers in 2022. Additionally, his socially conscious documentary “Flip the Switch,” premiered at BAFTA in London in 2019, illuminating his dedication to impactful storytelling that addresses significant societal issues.
MARCUS BRUNO
Marcus has always been passionate about filmmaking, a journey that began in his teenage years while working for his parents’ audio-visual company. In junior college, he discovered his true calling when he was asked to help build and run a television studio for the college. This experience allowed him to hone skills in editing, directing, and sound engineering, but he found his greatest affinity in the editing room.
Marcus earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Academy of Arts in San Francisco. Subsequently, he started his own production company, collaborating with both independent and professional filmmakers in the Bay Area. His work encompasses a wide range of projects, including commercials and documentaries. Marcus has finally found his niche and a sense of belonging with Crux Jinx in 2018, where he continues to cultivate his film career.
JOSH RICKERT
Josh Rickert is a media artist and entrepreneur, deeply embedded in the San Francisco Bay Area’s creative scene. He brought his array of talents to Crux Jinx Productions in 2019 as a filmmaker and partner. His expertise encompasses sound engineering, music production, filmmaking, digital art, and software engineering, lending a unique blend of creativity and technical acumen to diverse projects.
Since 2015, Josh has been an active member of the Bay Area Film Mixer, and since 2019, a leader of Synaesthesia Collective. It is through his work with these organizations, as well as with Crux Jinx, that he emphasizes his commitment to fostering social impact, building community, and creating opportunities for artists in the Bay Area and beyond.
Josh’s artistic philosophy is inspired by Cesar A. Cruz’s belief that “art should disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.” This tenet guides his creative endeavors, encouraging a bold embrace of social impact work through film and other art experiences.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Josh is a vegan, and he is passionate about science fiction, horror, and music nerdery.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
BAY AREA FILM MIXER
The Bay Area Film Mixer is a quarterly event with a simple goal: To create a tighter network of filmmakers in the Bay Area by mingling off set, in order to offset the attrition of talent to other locations.
