GREATER MONCTON AREA - He conquers who endures - JASON K. ROY

Greater Moncton area based NB Film Co-op member Jason K. Roy is taking it all on creatively and moving forward every minute every day.

HIS EDUCATION AND DAY JOB

Excerpt from an article by Marisa Piccini, Correctional Service Canada 

“I am a very goal oriented person and art has become a big part of my life,” Jason explains. “Acting and music are not hobbies, they are passions. But I‟m realistic as well. I want to be just as successful in my professional life.”

Born and raised in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Jason grew up with family and friends who were accomplished. After getting his Bachelors degree at the Université de Moncton, he went on to earn a Master‟s degree and spent an internship in Tunisia, working for a textile company for a few months, during which time he travelled to Malta.

“That part of the world is fascinating. They have some of the oldest structures in the world there,” he remembers. “I started getting serious about photography around then and must have taken about 30 rolls of film that summer.”

When he returned to Canada he decided to enter the business world and began working in the insurance, IT and financial sectors. While he wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do, he saw his friends’ careers progressing in the public service and began looking for an opportunity to join the Federal Government, which brought Jason to CSC.

“My school chums were starting their careers and advancing with the government. I saw that they were happy with the opportunities of advancement, so I looked for a way in.” He applied and last April began his work with the Service. “I really enjoy learning here,” he states. “I work with a great group of people and the logistics of everything they do and getting all these programs off the ground is very interesting.” He likes being a member of a team and enjoys what each day brings.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH HIM

Cat: Jason, what made you join the NB Film Co-op recently? What are your thoughts on the community that is the NB Film Co-op membership as you have gotten to know a lot of the members now province wide.

Mid 2009 I think it was, I submitted my actor profile to the Co-op, simply to join their online actor database (albeit I was still very new to acting, I thought it wouldn’t hurt and might even bring new opportunities my way).  I can’t really say if doing that is what ultimately put the wheels in motion, but I’m certain it helped.   It’s here that the ‘community’ aspect of the Co-op underpins so much of its success and the passion it creates in all of its members.  I admit, I haven’t really auditioned once so far (the odd commercial just for kicks, for the experience), but what propels the acting opportunities my way unmistakably has many roots in the Co-op community.  Every film set I’ve been privileged to be on has always had that sense of camaraderie and collective drive to create between all the Coop members and eventually that sentiment rubs off on the non-members.  I’m at a point where I know many members, have worked with, and learned from all of them.  So why did I sign up?  At the core, I’ve felt like a member for a while now, and I guess I just needed to formalize that feeling and sign up.  It’s a good feeling. 

Cat: What drives you to pursue the creative craft of acting even though in the words of Edward Albee, WNBC TV, “There are always going to be more actors than anybody can ever use”?

Jason: I think we all have to some degree that urge to create, whatever the venue or tools to do so may be.  Aside from a desire long ago to just try an acting class, acting really just found me.  So as I create as a photographer, singer-songwriter, writer or actor, it all originates from that same place inside that just can’t exist without creating - it’s like breathing, it’s a must. Acting for me is about fulfilling my needs of expression mostly and if it is the case that there’s an over-saturation of actors out there, well that’s just a circumstance that’s beyond my control and is irrelevant to my interest in the craft. If anything, it just serves as an extra incentive to strive towards becoming a better actor with the skills you have and the opportunities that present themselves.  Acting has become a passion, serves as a purging and an escape, it’s fun, it helps me grow as a person and engage, and so long as it stays that way and keeps growing, I’ll keep acting and try to get better at it.

Cat: While no Oscar award-winning actor, country singer Tim McGraw turns out a decent performance in films. He says he sees a lot of similarities between singing and acting. He notes turning in a performance -- whether it's a movie role or a song -- requires him to get into the character he's portraying. He believes his film work has enhanced his ability to interpret a song. You do both as well, what drives you more, singing or acting and do you believe there is a strong connection between the two?

Jason: It all comes back to what I was saying earlier about that innate desire and urge to create, to express myself. We all have it. We all do. We just need to learn how to channel it put it to good use. Personally, what’s happened over the years is that my artistic and academic sides have merged and both fuel me. What I’ve come to realize is that artistically, my four artistic venues so far feed off of each other and equally influence each other. It’s a mismatch of continuous inspiration. Everything overlaps. Before acting, when performing my songs (and writing them), my photography and writing would often be catalyst to conceiving a song.  I didn't quite know what to make of it at the time, but I remember when playing live on CHOQ FM's Univers Folk in Montreal a few years back, during which time I sat comfortably enclosed in that sound-booth for nearly an hour, that 'cinematic-sense' kept surfacing when I played my songs during the interview with Josie-Anne Huard.  On some film shoots, say Snowflake for example, pre-determined songs, photos and experiences are what kept me focused on the state of my role in a particular scene.  It’s nothing less than a natural collaboration that happens and as with your example, if you just let it happen, it should ultimately enhance your abilities in one area or another. 

Cat: Would you quit a job to take on a major acting role or to go on a singing tour if that is what was needed?

Jason: You’re asking the hard questions Cat!  Truthfully, I can’t say without it happening.  It would indeed be a welcomed, jaw-dropping predicament, and as with everything else, things just find away of working themselves out.  I’m open to all that comes my way.  I’d weigh it all in stride, and if it’s worth it, I’d work something out. How ‘bout I get back to you when it happens?  (laughing) 

Cat: Have you ever wanted to make a film?

Jason: Since my first experience on Do-Gooders, where Dan Thebeau took me on board his short comedy knowing damn well I had not a speck of acting experience, yes, I’ve wanted to make films ever since.   The hunger grows after each film I’m part of, and that hunger is addictive.

Cat: What would you like to give to the NB Film Co-op and it’s member community and what would you like to get out of your membership?

Jason: My contribution to the NB Film Co-op at this point is indirectly through each film project I’m involved in.  I give it my all for the sake of the project and to grow as an actor, and that just dovetails into the growth and success of the Co-op (at least I hope it does).  The collaborating, learning, Co-op events (and parties), contributing along with all the acting opportunities I can handle is what I think will come of membership with the Co-op.  I say this and know it will be so tenfold for the simple fact that it’s been this way every since I first was introduced to the film community via the NB Film Co-op.  Once you join and start to get involved, you’re hooked.  It truly is a community. 

Contact Jason and have a beer or coffee with him to welcome him to the Film Co-op member community.

jasonkroy@yahoo.com

HOW OTHER CREATIVE PEOPLE IN NB FEEL ABOUT HIM

“Working with Jason on films has been a pleasure. He brings an intensity towards a performance that is genuine and convincing. You see the character he is portraying and not Jason. He has no fear when choosing his roles and makes bold decisions when developing his characters. Working with someone with these qualities is always a pleasure which in turn makes you want to perform with the same energy and enthusiasm. A side from his acting Jason has an excellent dry humour that I find very vivacious and appealing. When not focusing on a scene or when there is an appropriate moment for humour on set, Jason is a welcoming interruption. I hope that are paths continue to cross, as we both follow our passion in the arts.” - June 2011 - Joshua Linton, Actor/Filmmaker

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“I love working with actors, and Jason is one of the reasons why. He brought his contagious smile along with his wonderful abilities to our project. In “A Dark Radius” Jason was able to morph into Mark, a social activist, with ease. He blew life into my character and really impressed us with his talent. I‟d work with him again in a heartbeat.” - June 2011 - Gia Milani, Filmmaker

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“I have had the opportunity to work with Jason a number of times over the last couple of years and have found each experience to be rewarding and interesting. I first met Jason on the set of "Délivrance" (part 1) where I was doing camera work and he had a minor acting role.

His performance was spot on, filled with intensity and subtlety. A few months later I was looking for actors for my next project "Cold" (an experiment in improved acting and camera work) and Jason was at the top of my list. His character is a Meth addicted abusive mechanic. Jason was not able to make it to the rehearsals but we had a number of conversations over Skype as well as e-mail exchanges. His intensity in the research and history of this character was wonderful. He brought more to the table than I could have ever asked for and it really shows in his performance. Jason only had a few scenes to shoot and he got them in one or two takes every time. I am looking forward to working with him again once I put "Cold" to bed.” - June 2011 - Jeremy Robinson, Filmmaker

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“Jason is an actor who takes his art very seriously, and yet you can see how much fun he has performing every time he gets in front of the camera. Jason is a pleasure to work with and his passion for art and for life is contagious. His creativity, his sense of timing, and his infectious smile make any film set he's a part of a fun, creative place to work.” - June 2011 - Britany Sparrow, Filmmaker

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"For me filmmaking has always been about collaboration. I have been blessed with many great collaborators over the years; they have challenged my ideas, experimented with me, and helped me grow as an Artist. It is in this way that I came to know Jason. His work as, Victor, in "Snowflake" was a true collaboration: he questioned me, challenged me, and slowly, we created a character together. He became Victor, and I can no longer imagine it any other way. I cherish the fact that long after the cuts and bruises of this production have disappeared, or scarred over, our collaboration will remain." - June 2011 - Tim O’Neill, Filmmaker

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“I first met Jason when filming a promotional piece for him for his music. I immediately recognized his talent and I was convinced that he’d be a natural as an actor. When “Do-Gooders” came along, I thought it was a good opportunity to test his ability. The rest is history. Jason has proven himself repeatedly as a dedicated actor who works hard in preparing for his roles and he always delivers the goods. The professionalism he brings to his work makes him an absolute pleasure to work with.” - June 2011 - Danny Thebeau, Filmmaker, Actor

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“I've known Jason for quite some time now, even before we both dabbled in filmmaking. I knew Jason would be a good performer as he always had a nice presence on stage for his music. On screen he would bring out subtle performances that required no dialogue but would say a lot with a look or a gesture. Jason always studies and observes constantly his roles and his surroundings and he continuously wants to learn from his fellow thespians and filmmakers which helps him to grow even more as an actor. It's always a pleasure and I am looking forward to many more projects with Jason.” - June 2011 - Donovan Richard, Filmmaker