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Your upcoming movie Back Road
- in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your
character in it? I play the character deputy Mike Riley,
originally the character was supposed to be this overweight out of shape
dude. I'm a FAT kid at heart, all kidding aside there was a take on
set where I must have eaten at least 10 donuts in a matter of 25 minutes for
one scene. The director Andrew Pizzo changed the overview of this character for me.
The movie is about 5 kids in their early 20's who decided to take a road
trip. One tragic event makes their lives spiral out of control.
It's a game changer in the movie. It's one family seeking revenge.
Honestly it's the perfect balance between new age and old school horror
that many of us grew up on. What did you draw upon to bring your
character to life, and how natural does it come to you to play a man of
the law?
I've been in handcuffs a few times, lol. I did some research.
Talked to a few people in the field. Watchtg a ton of police documentaries.
I break the script down through script analysis. I run lines with someone.
I film myself reading the lines. I go through it and critique my
performance. I run lines in my car. I run lines while I am doing
cardio in at the gym. I lock out the outside world and whatever is
on that page starts to become my life. I keep my personal life out of my
acting world. It's like turning on a light switch for me - whatever
is on the page, I bring to life.
How did you get involved with the project in
the first place?
Through a friend. I auditioned, contacted Drew. He sent me a full version of the
script. After
reading it, I was like I definitely want to be part of this project.
What can you tell us about Back Road's
director Andrew Pizzo, and what was your collaboration like? Sick
and twisted. LOL! Once this movie is released it will send
shock waves through the horror genre community. 2018. I honestly
believe this film will be a big success. It could be the defining moment
in Drew's film career along with all the others who worked on this
project. Do
talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere! It's
something you always talk about. It becomes a big part of your life.
You build a lot of relationships. You're always rehearsing, running
lines, taking direction, making yourself better during the down time on
set. You'll
also be in the upcoming A Wish for Giants, which is both a
Bigfoot
movie and a charity project - so how do these two go together?
This may upset some people ... but I do not personally believe in
Bigfoot. I auditioned for this project. I was sent over the full
script. Once again after reading A Wish For Giants I committed to this
project. Reading the full script is a big part of
my decision process. When I was younger it was not the case. I
want to be a part of quality projects now. This project is based on
a book by Arron Dumbar. It's about a little girl who has a brain
tumor and her wish is to find Bigfoot. Anytime you can be a part of
a project and help a charity at the same time, it's a big deal for me.
I have a little girl, so things like this bring out my sensitive
side. I watched Collateral Beauty last night till 3 AM. Man,
that movie had my heart in my throat. I still got up at 4:30 to go to
the gym. The gym is a place for me to have alone time. I place
where I can clear my head. It's a place I do a lot of thinking.
Like I mentioned it's also the place where I run my lines while doing
cardio. I am happy to try and make a difference, and more than happy
to have the proceeds for this project go to Make A Wish Foundation.
Any
other future projects you'd like to share?
There's a
few more projects on the burner. I will not comment on them at
this time. What got you
into acting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on
the subject? And what can you tell us about your acting work prior to A
Wish for Giants?
It's funny. It was 2002 and I was living in Buffalo NY. It
was a cold-ass day in Feb, tons of snow. I had a college friend who
was already living in LA. He said dude, you got to get out here.
I packed my car, borrowed 3,000 Dollars from my mother, and drove to
LA. I had no idea that I would fall in love with acting. It's like
being a child all the time, you get to bring characters and things
to life. It's never been about money for me, it's about the
passion I have to entertain.
I was working at a restaurant in West Hollywood. I was in
the weeds, as far as tables go. I had a 3 top. The lady asked for a soda,
I got it for her, she said it was flat, asked for a diet, said
it was flat, asked for ice tea, said it was flat ... well, that was
Ferne Cassele, casting director, she was there with Steven Leve of Frame
Works Entertainment, and well that's how it started for me. At
the time I had no idea who they were. Steven asked if I was an actor,
I said no. I told him I work construction in the daytime and at a
restaurant at night. The whole time I was busting balls, having fun
with them because I don't believe ice tea can go flat, especially when it
is brewed fresh before we start the shift. Steven asked if we could
give him a bid on building him a pool side cabana at his home. Gave
me a business card, and well, a relationship was born. He kind
of nurtured me in the beginning. I took acting class with Ellen Gerstein and Brian
Reise. There was a lot of rejection at first.
Got my first independent film in 2006, with David Stearling, and been at
the grind stone ever since. I got to work with the NBA in Las Vegas All
Star Jams, Did some other independent films, worked with the Legend
Ted V. Mikles who recently passed, worked on a pilot show with Woody
Brown. I met and made an instant connection with
Lombardo Boyar - he is killing it right now. He is someone I one day
hope to have an acting resume like. Dustin Ferguson [Dustin
Ferguson interview - click here], Tales from the Campfire
2. Len Kabasinski [Len
Kabasinski interview - click here] at KillerWolf.
Thomsas Dickens, is another guy I still talk to today.
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Tales from the Campfire 2 |
How would you describe yourself as an actor, and some of
your techniques to bring your characters to life? Over the
years I have learned not to pull from my real life experiences to
get me into character because it eventually heals that underlying
raw emotion. It's all about breaking the script down and creating life for
someone who doesn't quite yet exist - well I mean other than the person
who wrote the script. That's the fun part for me, it's about chasing a
dream. I dream that I love. I took time off when Eda was born, my daughter,
and last year I said it was time. No matter how big or small
the role is, when it's time, bring that character to life... Your favourite movies?
Some of my top movies are, in no specific order: Braveheart, Glory,
Man on Fire, A Fourth Kind, Passion of Christ, Hancock,
Deadpool, Collateral Beauty, Pete's Dragon.
There was a time before my daughter was born, I used to watch a movie
every night. Now I try to watch at least 4 to five a week. Once
again if I don't have lines to run, I am watching a movie while
doing cardio at the gym. You can always take something from a movie,
even if it's not a movie that you may enjoy. I look at movies from
every aspect, not just acting...
Your website,
Facebook, whatever else?
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Jason Paul Edwards, credits are under Jason Paul, or J.P. Edwards IMDb:
www.Imdb.me/jasonpaul
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jason.paul.180
Thanks for the interview!
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