Jessica Orcsik is actually born to two very well-known Australian Actors by the names of John Orcsik and Paula Duncan. They met on a hit show in the late 1970’s called “Cop Shop” for which they became one of the most famous couples in Australian Television history. My mother Paula Duncan has won 7 Logie’s (Equivalent to Emmy’s in Australia) and an Order of Australia (Issued by the Queen of England) for her contribution to the arts. My father as well as being an incredibly seasoned actor, started TAFTA (The Australian Film & Television Academy) in 1994 and is now the director of one of the best and most prestigious acting schools in Australia. My aunt Carmen Duncan was also an actress here in the USA, she was “Iris” on daytime soap “Another World”. Together my family has worked with some of the most well-known Australians in this industry through various projects through the years and are so respected both nationally and internationally.
TUNE IN ALERT: Paula Duncan and her daughter @jessorcsik join us LIVE at the desk! #TDE7 pic.twitter.com/TGmvTWMiRw
— The Daily Edition (@TDEon7) April 6, 2016
It was obvious, from the day Jessica Orcsik was born that she was going to be in the arts. The hype surrounding my birth was incredible, so much so that magazines fought for the exclusive rights to the story and at just 1 day old I did my first shoot and article that featured the title “A Star Is Born”. Photos were of my mother holding me and my family gathered around me in the hospital.
I was just 4 years old when I got my first acting role. It was on television show “Richmond Hill” for which my mother was staring on at the time. It was a strange role, as they needed me to cut my hair and pretend to be a little boy only to be discovered at the end of the episode I was in fact a little girl. As a young child, my memory of this was quite funny. I wasn’t so much upset by the fact that I had to cut my hair, as I was when they asked me to spill a glass of milk on set, I was worried I would get into trouble for this.
As the years went on, Jessica Orcsik trained in Dancing, Singing and Acting as much as I could. Any chance I could perform for people or work I would. I was featured in many magazines and articles with my parents and continued to pursue this crazy life as a performer. I tried to gain as much experience as I could working in Theatre, not just school plays and musicals but also with my father’s theatre “T.A.P.S” (The Australian Playhouse Studio) in the 1990’s.
Dance & Singing were also huge loves of my life so when I wasn’t acting I was in classes, competing in dance eisteddfods and putting on shows at home. Aspiring to performers such as Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Though my teens, I kept working in professional projects as well as amateur projects. Keeping in check with my craft as much as possible.
By 19, Jessica Orcsik was selected to be a dancer on the film “Son of the Mask” and this ended up being a pivotal moment in my career. The choreographers from that were so impressed with me and my talent that they offered to help me obtain my O1 Visa to the USA. Working in the US was one of my passions since I could remember so this opportunity was one that could not be wasted. After getting my visa I moved to LA at just 20 years old. This was very exciting but what ended up being one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I wasn’t really prepared for the life of Hollywood, I knew very little people and was faced with so many unexpected challenges that deteriorated my energy and love for the arts. On the day I arrived I was dropped by my manager, which seemed strange considering the lengths of processes we had just gone through to get me there. So I was out to fend for myself.
Director John Orcsik teaching his acclaimed emotions course! pic.twitter.com/YCiiRoJOZ6
— TAFTA USA (@TaftaLa) September 29, 2014
I was lucky and I worked in a variety of projects including a pilot called “The High Life” written by “Bloodline” writer Jeffrey Shakoor. I also lived in Philadelphia for a few months working with Sudden Impact Entertainment doing a Horror show for which I got to lay a bride of Dracula. This was one of the best experiences of my life. In addition to that I danced on shows like “The Drop” and worked in some small roles with various different TV programs, however so many no’s and so many knocks it was hard to find the confidence that I had once had.
Through this journey of struggle, I returned to Australia and started focusing back on Dance & Singing. I opened a performing arts school by 22 and began making performing arts my focus again. I continued my training moving to New York over several Summer’s training at Broadway Dance Centre and focused a lot of energy putting on productions and choreographing for various events. Though I love this side of my life, being a performer was a part of who I was as a person. It’s all I ever knew from the day I was born and its all that has ever really mattered to me in my life. I knew that I couldn’t give up on my dreams.
Two years ago, I closed my school, and began pursuing acting again. Jessica Orcsik moved back to LA, and started running TAFTA USA. Over the past year there have been some new developments as an actor that I am very excited about and I will be announcing my roles on some new projects very shortly. I have never wavered from this industry and I am sure that I never will. Performing is in my blood and it’s what keeps me inspired and loving life the way I do.
Did you study acting
I did study acting. I initially joined my father’s Theatre school called T.A.P.S. (The Australian Playhouse Studio) where I studied Shakespeare, Voice and Theatre. I then went on to train in my father’s Film & TV School and of course the most incredible training of all was the various professional roles I did growing up. Giving me set experience and teaching me the ins and outs of the industry. As my father was such an established actor, many of his teachers were professional actors in the Australian Industry with real careers and experience to pass on. This made learning a very practical and hands on experience.
What acting technique do you use
Although through the years I have touched on many different techniques with the craft of acting. This includes Audition Technique, Classical Training and of course Method. I find the best technique is not one specific style, rather its taking bits and pieces from various teachers you have had through the years of training and developing a method that works for you. I have been lucky enough to train with so many people internationally, and been exposed to so many different styles and techniques. Depending on the role or situation, I tap into many of those and find the tools that will help me get the best performance I can.
Tell us about TAFTA
TAFTA is The Australian Film & Television Academy. Founded in 1994 by Jessica Orcsik parents, TAFTA is dedicated to teach and help develop the craft of Acting in Film and Television to students of all ages and help them towards a professional working career. Over the years, TAFTA has designed a series of short and long-term courses that have been developed to progressively train participants in this difficult and often frustrating industry. After decades of running one of the most prestigious acting schools in Australia (with courses running in over 5 states) we have continued expansion of our workshops and courses to the United States. “LA Experience – Acting Intensive Program” We now have several students booking various roles in Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia and obviously the USA. Previous TAFTA successors in the US include James Frecheville (Animal Kingdom, The Drop), Mahesh Jadu (Marco Polo, I Frankenstein), Chris Pang (Tomorrow When The War began, I Frankenstein, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon – The Green Legend), Deniz Akdeniz (Tomorrow When The War Began, The Water Diviner and several TV Shows), Teressa Liane (Into the Badlands, The Vampire Diaries), Daniel Webber (11/22/63) and many more. All of our students IMDB’s are also accessible.
Thanks to @mrnicbishop for taking the time to teach our last group of “LA Experience” students! #taftausa #actor pic.twitter.com/H7iSK0GdEN
— TAFTA USA (@TaftaLa) November 17, 2015
TAFTA USA currently runs “LA Experience” which is an intensive 6 week course for Australian Actors. In the course we cover all of the ins and outs about being a working actor here in the US including: Film & Television Acting Coaching; American Dialect Coaching; Voice work; Movement and Body Awareness; Improvisation; Genre specific training – Sitcom, Acting for film, Primetime TV, Soap Opera, Sci-Fi/Horror, and Commercial; Audition Technique; Business training – Social Media, PR, Marketing and Branding; US VISA Immigration; Management Seminars; Talent Agent Seminars; US Headshot’s & Showreels; Casting Director Workshops & Intensives; Casting Office Experience; Self Tapes and more.
JOIP is J.O. International Productions. This is my own production company that I started over 8 years ago. J.O.I.P. specialises in creating opportunities for performing artists on a global scale. With a variety of incredible performing arts tours, workshops and courses to choose from, as well as producing productions and performing arts events.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
I constantly take classes and courses to improve my skills. I don’t believe you ever really know it all and one can always improve and be better at their craft. As you grow older you learn more and more about yourself as a performer and about life, its important to keep your skills up and current as the times move on. I am lucky that I work for TAFTA USA here in Los Angeles as I have access to so many incredible classes with incredible coaches. When I return to Australia, I also continue that training there as well.
What acting books do you read
To be honest, acting books are new to me. I have found that I am a practical learner and so actually being physically involved in my learning is always the best way for me to retain information. If I read books, I like to read more self-help books that can aid in my growth as an individual and be the best person I can be. I think a great performer is a great person and one who is always willing to look to improve themselves. I also enjoy reading auto biographies of various actors as I feel that learning about others stories, and struggles can fill you with inspiration.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Keeping fit….well usually I must work out at least 4-5 times a week. Though sometimes if the work load is heavy this can sometimes fail. I do think its important to keep your body as active as it can be. Yoga, dance classes and walking can be some of the best releases for keeping fit. Mentally, I love to surround myself with like-minded people and talk about the industry. Try to collaborate on new projects and be as creative as possible. After all this is what fuels us. I also spend a lot of time helping others in this industry, this includes charities like Special Olympics Dance Group and Focus On Ability Short Film Festival. I also try to help other young performers starting out as there is no greater feeling than seeing someone else achieve milestones in their careers and knowing you were able to help them through that.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
When I get offered a role, beyond sharing in the excitement obviously, the first thing I like to do is familiarise myself with the overall project as much as possible. If it’s a show already on air I watch it and get a sense of the tone of the piece, if it’s a new pilot then I re read the script and make sure I am really a part of the world in which I am about to enter. I do not like to over rehearse scenes, so I will learn the script and practise doing it a various amount of ways. Then I leave it till I am actually rehearsing with the other actors or on set and see what I feel at the time. I feel as an actor its important to always incorporate what you feel at the time you feel it because it’s real and natural. It helps gives your performance life and energy.
How do you take a character in a script to an honest, believable and breathing person
I believe that in order to make a character believable and as true as she can be, you must put yourself in the role. A role comes to life when you incorporate elements of yourself and how you feel within every scene. Put the scene into your own words, use a variety of emotions within the scene and see which feels the most true to yourself, think about a situation in your life that may have been similar in which you can relate to the character in further detail and just allow yourself to be free and in the moment when you begin to say the lines. You may rehearse it one way in one day, but then on another day you may not be feeling that same emotion, so stay true to yourself and go with what you feel. At the end of the day although they are characters they are based off real people. We as people feel many emotions at varying times and we certainly don’t know or can expect which one we are going to feel at any given time. Its important characters are given the same truth.
How do you stay fresh on set
This is a hard question, as we know anything can happen on set. It’s very unpredictable. I would say just staying focused on the task at hand is usually the best thing. Deep breathing and meditation in-between takes is always a good way to deal with the emotional scenes and staying grounded through the process. Sometimes having an iPod on hand is great too as you can zone out from everything happening around you and stay in touch with the mood of the scenes you doing. Music is a great attribute to character work and scene work always.
Describe a memorable character you played
One of the most fun and memorable characters was from a play I did called “Direct From Broadway – Winner of 7 Tony’s” her name Caitlyn. This was an interesting an exciting role, as when the play begins Caitlyn appears to be a young innocent girl of only 16 who is being taken advantage of by her much older crass and sinister boyfriend. As it turns out, Caitlyn is far from this. When the play progresses, we see that she is quite manipulative, she uses her sexuality to seduce the lead male Wes and his best friend for whom she leaves her boyfriend for at the end of the play. Not only that the they both pull a gun on him at the end of the play threatening to kill Wes if he does not leave their life. They also use quotes from the bible justifying their actions which make the levels of the character very interesting. I was only 18 when I did this role so to have such a challenging role at such a young age was really fun and intense. The play was a big successful and got revised a second year for a tour in Melbourne at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. I also got to do quite a sexy dance in the middle of the play which was still to this day one of the most fun scenes I have ever been able to do.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
I did a short film called “Cocktail Hour” with Sydney Film School back when I was 20 and it was a hard one as I had to experience some date rape at the end of the scene. The actor who played opposite me was much older than I and he was worried about how I would be feeling with this and the best way to make me feel comfortable with the scene. The director asked me how far I was willing to go and what would be the best way for me to make this feel real. I told them both the best way to make this real, was for me to feel as uncomfortable as possible. This is an uncomfortable moment and to be honest and true, I wanted to really feel uncomfortable. Sometimes actors are given scenes that do require you to really step out of that comfort zone and allow yourself to actually feel the emotion the character is feeling at the time. Although, I would say this is not always the best choice depending on the scene, sometimes its the only choice and a strong way to make the scene have depth and appear real.
What do you want most from a director
What I want most from the Directors I work with is the ability to see the scenes from an overall perspective. I like the director to give me his vision and allow me to explore the depths of the character and the script as much as possibly can. I like a director to be clear and concise with this vision, and ensure that all the characters are working together to achieve the same end goal. It’s important that casts stay cohesive and work together. I like a director that can challenge me and push me emotionally in any project. It’s important to feel challenged as an actor and let the director lead you through the storyline.
What actors do you long to work with
I have always admired Drew Barrymore. Not only because we have both grown up in the public eye and being a child actors, but her characters and roles have varied so much from when she was a young girl to now as an adult. I find her inspiring and very real. She is very talented and always a delight to watch.
What advice would you give to actors
Acting is a craft and should be given respect at all times. Stay true to the craft and be prepared for anything. There are no guarantees in this journey, no recipes for success and no certainties that you will have longevity in the career; but if you stay true to the craft and the work, keep grounded at all times and remember it’s about the work not the fame then the rewards will be endless. A wise teacher once told me “Don’t give up, as someone else will get to live your dreams if you do” truer words have never been spoken. Keep focused, keep working hard and be prepared for a roller coaster ride.
Briefly write about your career
Most of my career has been so mixed so I have included both my acting resume and also my full performing arts resume which lists all the various roles I have had. This includes as a choreographer, dancer, producer, director, teacher and more. Having being involved in so many different areas of the performing arts, it’s really taught me a lot about the industry as a whole. I was lucky to be brought up with people who supported my career and understood the journey in which I was going to undertake so have always had their full support. It has taught me so much about teamwork and ultimately making me a better actor and performer. I have a huge respect for what the crew do, and the time it takes to get things together which is a very important process.
I have been lucky enough to work in film, television and theatre. The characters I have played have varied as I did so many growing up, but all in all its really shaped the actor I want to be. Someone who is willing to take risks and embrace challenges within their work. In this next chapter of my career I want to embrace being a woman. Embracing roles that identify real women stories, women with voluptuous figures, embracing age and sexuality. Women in hollywood should be empowered by who they are and not what society wants or expects them to be.
