E-News Article - Jason Nicholson

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    jumpstartng AND fast tracking
    Jason Nicholson Leads On

    By Jim Lavoie

    In everyone’s life clarity of vision/direction, when acted upon, is a force that may well change one’s life path dramatically. An optimist believes that this is so while the pessimist doubts its very existence. In the case of emerging filmmaker/actor Jason Nicholson it may well be a special calling that had to be answered. How else can one explain his creative climb in just nine months? As a newcomer in film he recently became one of the leads in the low budget feature film Plaster Rock (Global Universal Pictures Inc.); which was shot in Riley Brook, New Brunswick this past December.

    Nicholson who hails from Nash Creek, NB attended Dalhousie University. He has completed 2 years of a BAA degree that he wants to change to Anthropology now to further his studies with the goal of obtaining a PHD down the road. His reason for the educational change is his true fascination with people.

    “I always wanted to be in films. I had a teacher in High School who I admire tell me to go for it. But, due to a lack of confidence at the time, I didn't pursue it. It was last March 2009 that I woke up one day and told myself that I was going to live my dream. It was the right decision to make,” said Nicholson.

    “Acting is something I love and Plaster Rock was a great way to break the ice. I am grateful that Director Jackie Giroux gave me my first lead role and also grateful to Producers Giroux and Ben Martin for the script they wrote,” says Nicholson. “I am grateful to Michael Masucci for giving me my first IMDB credit on American Sunset and then coaching me on the set of Plaster Rock . The crew and cast of Plaster Rock were fantastic."

    In Plaster Rock , Jason played a stock broker who is out to win prize money. Nicholson played him riddled with guilt but at the same time confident and cocky. “I learned a lot about character in this film and how to stay in it is what I took away from the set for my future roles.”

    Jason’s film experiences began in 2009 when he joined the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative. He was involved with the Co-op’s actor’s lab for a short time and then became involved with the feature film American Sunset . He began as an extra and on his 2nd day on set he was given the role as the cop thanks to Michael Masucci noticing him.

    After the film finished, Jason became even more active at the Film Co-op and took workshops through the Film Co-op’s workshop series. After that, he was in yet another independent film in Halifax while he was taking a MMA training camp in Dartmouth. “It was awfully fun to dive out a two story building in an action movie. My right knee has finally recovered for the most part.”

    His zany tactics and over the top style, soon had Jason working on various NB Film Co-op productions. He acted in award winning director (A Lion’s Tale) Bunthivy Nou’s Supergeek Math Boy as a bully and then played the part of a young detective on filmmaker Jillian Acreman’s first short film, Broke .

    “What an awesome experience that was. In fact, the leading actress Elizabeth Goodyear won best actress for her role in Broke ,” said Nicholson.

    Next up, Jason became involved in Chris Giles’ Cultural Capital film Venus in Flames as his production manager. He also had an acting role in the production.

    “ Venus in Flames opened my eyes to location negotiation. We were able to get the full co-operation of King's Landing which was crucial. I am very grateful to both Alain and Karen of King’s Landing for their generosity in allowing us to use their location. Also, TNB’s generous help assisted us with the appropriate wardrobe for Chris’ film; Caleb Marshall was great. Chris was awesome to work with and it was a great experience.”

    Jason then played the role of an army Sergeant in Jesse Anthony’s short, Reminisce .

    Before Plaster Rock started in December of last year, Jason was busy in Halifax developing relationships with the film community there. He was then asked to do some work on the HBO series Meet Fitz starring Jason Priestly.

    “It was interesting to see how a television series set is built and how it operates. From that experience I met people that I knew could do a good job as crew in Nova Scotia since one of the short films that I have in mind will be shot in Halifax.”

    Jason loves acting, the dynamics of the set, the production, the whole nine yards. When asked about who his film role models are, his response is, “hell its been a joke for a while now with people asking if Jack is my uncle (Jack Nicholson). My other heros are Jack Palance, Denzel Washington, the muppets for their crazy personalities, Johnny Depp and Robert DeNiro.