Jasper Cole is Cory Black on The Family Business opposite Ernie Hudson. He was awarded Best Screen Villain by the International Nollywood Film Festival. Jasper co-stars in Lions Gates Thriller, Fall with Jeffrey Dean Morgan written and directed by Scott Mann.
He also stars as Mike and is a producer on the TV series The Church of Mike, executive produced by David Jeffery from Prison Break and Bones. Jasper co-stars as Theo in Amazon Prime Series Kombucha Cure, opposite Emmy winner Tamara Braun and Emmy nominated Denise Boutte. He plays Jaggar in Season 2 of Amazon comedy series, Smothered, opposite Jason Stuart.
indieactivity: How did you get involved in “Anyone Home”? Did you have to audition?
Jasper Cole (JC): I was so lucky that casting director Kendra Patterson offered me the role of WALKER. I had auditioned for her many times before for mainly TV roles.
Watch the trailer for Anyone Home starring Jasper Cole
Did you feel the pressure more this time around, than previous films, because you have such a prominent role?
Jasper Cole (JC): Each job I get I usually feel pressure in a good way. This was a little different for me because I usually play more ALPHA roles and with WALKER I ended up being more vulnerable than usual so it was a nice departure.
What part of the story appealed to you the most about the project?
Jasper Cole (JC): It’s so timely in the way it deals with Mental Illness and the Opioid Crisis in this country. It also takes place during the Housing Crash and is a real commentary on the “have and have nots” of our society.
You’re not new to indie work – what do you enjoy about being a part of independent productions?
Jasper Cole (JC): There is a real passion in indie filmmaking from everyone who’s there. The lack of huge budgets also pulls together a real team of people who love what they do and aren’t in it just for money or acclaim but truly wanna tell good entertaining stories.
How collaborative was the director? Open to suggestions?
Jasper Cole (JC): Our director Patrick Cunningham was so great to work with. It’s his directorial debut and he put in so much hard work and was there to answer all our questions and listen to suggestions while doing a thousand other things. He and the co-writer and producer Will Frank make a great team and they made the set a pleasure to be on. I hope to work with them both again A LOT.
Are you anything alike Walker?
Jasper Cole (JC): I think I always bring a sense of myself to all the roles I play. Probably this time I’m similar to WALKER in that I know what it feels like to feel like an outsider even if it’s just in my own mind. I like being alone a lot and could relate to his just spending time with himself and his dog. I didn’t see Walker as a bad guy just a desperate guy who’s trying to survive.
Any scenes difficult to shoot?
JC: There were many physical restraints to this role so that was a challenge at times. Having to convey emotions without lots of dialogue is a creative challenge in itself. I had to try to really feel it from within so that it would be real on camera.
Explain one creative choice you made on set during production?
JC: I like to pick the shoes my character will wear in certain scenes as it affects how I walk or carry myself . I chose to wear my own shoes in one scene because I needed to feel strong and in control amongst chaos and these particular shoes always keep me grounded in my real life.
What did you take away from the production – besides an extra credit for your IMDB?
JC: I got to work with an extraordinary cast & crew and people that I admire so much. I’ve been blessed to receive nice reviews from this film, some of the best of my career and people seem to be relating to it on so many different levels. When you make a film you never really know how it will be edited together as there are so many factors in play so it’s always a true blessing when the final product is one that you’re proud of and this one is a winner.
What do you hope audiences get out of it?
JC: I hope they will have more compassion for the Mentally ill and see that it’s a real illness and nothing to be ashamed of. There shouldn’t be a stigma around the issue and the more films can show how it really is then hopefully more funding and research will go into treating it.
What is next for you?
JC: I have a new film CAPTURED opening Jan 2020 with another first time director Joe Arias and it’s a thriller about a young rock band. I play SHELLY, the longtime groundskeeper at an abandoned mansion that holds lots of secrets from the past. I also have my ongoing radio show ONE ON ONE WITH JASPER COLE every Thursday night LIVE at 6 pm PST on BLOGTALKRADIO, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Speaker, Spotify and many more platforms.
What advice would you give to budding actors?
JC: Take every job you can no matter how small, no matter if it pays you or not. Get as much experience as possible and if there’s anything else you think you can do that will make you truly happy in life then forget about the acting and go do THAT because it’s not an easy road but it can be one of the best journeys ever if you really put in the hard work and dedication. It also helps to have a P.H.D. POOR HUNGRY & DRIVEN to succeed. Good luck and God bless.
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