This week I have a very special guest all the way from the UK. A talented actor in Mystery and Horror roles, Jimi James. With an impressive film background displayed onIMDb.comwith works on Cleaver: Rise of the Killer Clown, The Mummy, Jason Bourne and The Rapture.
Jonuel: Welcome Jimi and thank you for honoring us with this quick Interview.
Jimi: Thank you. It is very kind of you to ask.
Jonuel: Let’s get this interview started.
Jonuel: What can you do as an actor in Horror Roles that you can’t do with other roles?
Jimi: There are so many emotions and personas you can take on in horror. From the antagonist and villain to the victim and the war weary law enforcement officer. There really are no limits to the characters available.
Jonuel: What would be your dream crew to work with?
Jimi: I will say I'm a bit biased. My time working with cast and crew at Mycho Pictures was a pivotal moment in my career. Sheriff Hatcher was my first co-leading role and I learned so many things about myself and my abilities. MJ and Anna gave me a lot of freedoms with the choices I made in portraying Hatcher and I must say it is my favorite role to date! Plus, they let me live!
I'm the first good guy to stake that claim! Hey Leyton! I will catch you and put you in the Slasher House next instalment! Maybe... If I ever get in a financial position, they will have a producer very happy to try and get them out there in the mainstream!
Jonuel: Which was the hardest role you ever played and why?
Jimi: Being an NCO when I was active duty in the air force. I had to be a friend, brother/sister, mentor, disciplinarian and protector all at the same time. The skills I picked up being those things are responsible for where I am today! God bless our troops and our families that make sacrifices every day.
Jonuel: Can you talk about your process?
Jimi: I usually take a very “self” related approach. Once I have read a script through a couple times and block it down I try to think what I would do faced with the same circumstances. I find this helps me to understand the character from a real perspective rather than trying to imagine somebody else's. I always work very closely with the directors to ensure what I offer is what they are looking for. Adaptability and being a tool for your director is a very good approach to have.
Always go for what you feel, but be open to any changes no matter how uncomfortable they may be. It can bring out the best in you.
Jonuel: Can you please tell our fans about the work you are doing now?
Jimi: I recently finished a very wonderful little urban short with a talented young director called “Southside's Most Wanted”. I play a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who is the gang leader's right hand man, hitman and arms dealer. Not a very nice chap, but to him it is just business and nothing personal. A very dark character with a humorous quality.
On to unleash the Blurb, take it away Jimi:
A blurb? Grab a beer, get your smokes and come along for the ride!
So, where do I start? I served 21 years in the USAF security forces. Not a lot of people know a lot about that career field but picture them being the law enforcement, airfield security and combat operations of the air force all wrapped up into one.
I got to see a lot of cool places and I am very grateful that I never had to fire my weapons in anger even though I served in some very tense conditions.
As far as acting, I kind of fell into it. I started out as an extra in a couple films and managed some excellent networking there with up and coming film makers. One thing led to another and I wound up with my first supporting role as “Septic” in Stagger by Paul T.T. Easter. A sort of grindcore gangster film. I wound up being tortured in a most magnificent way! Had my eyeball torn out with a leatherman tool!
It was from this experience that I learned how important networking is if you are a working class actor and although I still did extra work to earn a buck, I continued to do that all important networking.
I had to take some time off due to injury and used that time to attend classes. The skills I obtained helped to build my chops even more and helped me progress.
I can't stress enough how important professional quality headshots are. Do not, under any circumstances take your friends and family's word for it. Get professionals to assess your shots!
They have been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn't.
Also, if you can't afford formal education...at least take classes and seminars. You will be surprised at how much you can learn about yourself and how much you can breakdown your characters with the skills you obtain.
Lastly? Always believe in yourself! Never second guess yourself. And never let people get to you. If you have haters...guess what? You are doing something right and they are jealous of your progress. Let them hate! They are only drawing attention to you. And, in this game we need all the help we can get! #supportindiefilm #actorslife
That was great! To find out more about Jimi James you can follow him here;
You can follow me on;
Twitter:@jimijames63
FB:https://www.facebook.com/jimijamesactor/
Professional Profile:http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/actor/profile/james-nix-1
Thank you so much for the interview Jimi James. To all the fans of things that go bump in the night you can find so much more on Jimi James on-line by;
Visiting his official website;
http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/actor/profile/james-nix-1
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If you enjoyed this interview you might enjoy reading the10 Most Annoying Horror Cliches Article.
And if you enjoy a goodhorror bookwith an element of fire and a touch of Gothic witch charm. Then you may enjoy;
