Interview: Jon Mack on acting, music, activism and working in Hollywood

Jon Mack is an American actress and producer. She is of Polish and Eastern-European descent. She has worked with Halle Berry in Introducing “Dorothy Dandridge” (1999), Saw VI (2009), Gerard Butler in “Playing for Keeps” (2012), also starring Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta Jones. She provides an in depth but clear journey of working in Hollywood. She make music with her band called Auradrone, she also works through her foundation to defend endangered animals.

Jon Mack grew up on stage so acting was part of her from a very early age. Her mother was a theater director and taught in Universities and High School. She directed many plays and musicals so Jon’s first taste of acting came when she was just 5 years old. After that, she was hooked.

Fire Twister green screen today. Last shot & it’s a wrap!!! #film #setlife #firetwister #action #acting #hollywood pic.twitter.com/p1ChtaCGFS

— JON MACK (@AURADRONE) November 7, 2013

Jon have so many fond memories growing up a theater kid. It was always just a part of her and she was very close to her mother so it was wonderful to have the support of a parent from the very start. Jon went on to study further once she graduated high school and went to NYU Tisch for theater and film. After that Jon studied with many wonderful teachers both in New York and Los Angeles. “I guess the short answer is that I am always studying and continue to learn with every step of my career.” say Jon Mack

indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Jon: I grew up on stage so acting was part of me from a very early age. My mother was a theater director and taught in universities and high school. She directed many plays and musicals so my first taste came when I was just 5 years old. After that, I was hooked. I have so many fond memories growing up a theater kid. It was always just a part of me and I was very close to my mother so it was wonderful to have the support of a parent from the very start. I went on to study further once I graduated high school and went to NYU Tisch for theater and film. After that I studied with many wonderful teachers both in New York and Los Angeles. I guess the short answer is that I am always studying and continue to learn with every step of my career.

Jon Mack, Christa Campbell, Luke Wilson and Josh Meyers in Straight A’s (2012)

indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Jon: I was originally trained in musical theater as I had mentioned before but once I went to NYU I studied in both Experimental Theater which is more based in performance art. From there, I moved on to Method Acting and studied at Strasberg Institute. What I try to use most now in my work is a touch of Method technique also based on a considerable amount of character study and having a fleshed out backstory. This combination helps with being in the moment but also having a starting off point for who the character truly is.

indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Jon: I work with a private coach for certain films but I am also always doing workshops and studies to improve.

indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Jon: I have read a few great acting books. One that comes to mind is “Audition” by Michael Shurtleff. I also recommend the classics such as “Respect for Acting” by Uta Hagen and “Sanford Meisner on Acting” by Sanford Meisner. Although these books are older, they are still a wealth of information and something I think every actor should read because the knowledge in them is timeless.

Jon Mack, Freida Pinto and Ryan Kwanten in Blunt Force Trauma (2015)

indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Jon: I keep my body fit by exercise and healthy vegan eating and I also have a strong spiritual base in my life which keeps me centered which is just as important as the physical. Meditation, martial arts, breath training…these are all tools which help me stay focused and balanced in an often unpredictable and unstable profession.

indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
Jon: I read the script many times and I also rehearse on my own for a bit before I work with my private coach. It takes me some time alone with the material and doing research to get a grasp of the character but once I do this, I do love the idea of rehearsing to some extent. I know some actors don’t but I find there are discoveries in the rehearsal process that can make the performances that much more nuanced and interesting. Maybe it’s all the time I spent in theater that gives me a fondness for rehearsing but it’s something that many actors don’t get the luxury of doing these days on a film due to time and budget constraints.

indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Jon: I do a LOT of research and developing of backstory. I feel this goes into my subconscious if I do the homework and it will be present with me throughout the production. Once I have a grasp of who this person is and their story, I then feel part of me likes to just let that go and play ball with my fellow actors. This is why homework to me is so important because it frees you up later on to explore and go further with the character than you had ever thought possible. I am also a big fan of improv and think that the best improv comes from the best preparation so they really can work hand in hand together.

Luke Goss, Albert Kong, Jon Mack, Vince DeCosta and Steve Hanks in Mindblown (2017)

indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Jon: I tend to go to my trailer when I have moments in between and just collect my thoughts and energy, I do a lot of centered breathing exercises which help bring the mind back to the present. It’s easy to get distracted and want to hang out and socialize but a set is still a work environment and there is definitely a balance that must happen if one is to retain the energy needed for making a film. It is a lot of work and long hours so the goal is always to be able to snap back into that focus when called upon.

indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Jon: Kora, in this last film I did is quite an interesting character…a time traveling sorceress. Quite a bit of fun. The film is called Doomsday and comes out in 2017.

indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Jon: I played a role written for a man which was both the creative choice of the director and myself. I love that this is happening more and more now. I see many roles written for a man but could just as easily be played by a woman and sometimes with nuances the audience wouldn’t expect. I felt I had more fun with this role because it was almost like all expeditions which would be there if the character had been written as a female were not present. There was definitely a bigger chance to explore which made it more interesting.

Jon Mack in Mega Cyclone (2011)

indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Jon: Honesty, courage and the ability to talk to actors in an open and direct manner. Tapping into the same frequency as your cast either makes or breaks a project. I cherish directors who understand this.

indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Jon: There are quite a few but one that comes to mind is Kevin Spacey. Not only is he a wonderful teacher but he is also one of those actors who is so fully committed to the moment and scene yet at the same time, not shutting out his scene partners. His responses are 100% organic and you believe him in every moment. This is the type of actor who I long to work with. This is a true actor.

indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Jon: Cultivate what is truly unique within you and work continuously to bring that forward and grow.

indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Jon: Aside from acting, I am also a musician who self writes and produces. My project is called Auradrone which has begun in 2007. When not working on a film or television project, I spend my time making music as well as working with my foundation Defending the Endangered to education and eradicate the poaching crisis.

Jon Mack has worked with Halle Berry on the Emmy Award-winning biopic Introducing “Dorothy Dandridge” (1999). She played a junkie named Jane in the 6th installment of the Saw VI (2009).

In 2012. In 2012 Mack played a soccer mom hoping to score with Gerard Butler in “Playing for Keeps” (2012), also starring Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Jon Marie Mack in Cannes

She also appeared in “Straight A’s” (2013) with Anna Paquin, Ryan Phillippe and Luke Wilson as well as Millennium Entertainment’s Spiders 3D (2013).

She is also a voice over artist who worked alongside Will Smith in “After Earth” (2013) playing a psychiatrist.

In 2015, Mack played a gun slinger named Reggie in “Blunt Force Trauma” (2015) with Mickey Rourke, Ryan Kwanten and Freida Pinto.

She played an entertainment reporter in SyFy’s creature comedy “Lavalantula” (2015) and sequel “2 Lava 2 Lantula” (2016).

In 2017, she played a telepathic government test experiment subject in “Mind Blown” (2016) and ancient time traveling sorceress in “Doomsday Device” (2017).

She will appear in the upcoming film “The Amityville Murders” (2018) and Lifetime TV Original “Expectant Mother” (2018).