Jasen Wade, Finding Grace is a Gift of Hope, Love, Art for People

Jasen Wade here folks, it wasn’t until college that I discovered acting.  I did stage for years before ever doing film. I remember the first time I truly connected with a live audience. The energy exchange that happened in that moment changed the course of my life forever. It awakened something inside of me, and now I find myself looking for projects that expand my emotional and empathetic capabilities. I think it is far more important to be a good human being than a good actor, but they really can stimulate and enhance each other, if you allow it. Jasen talks to us about his role in Warren Fast’s Finding Grace…..

A struggling family, already on the verge of disintegration, faces new challenges that will test their faith in God and each other.

indieactivity : What acting technique do you use?
Jasen Wade : The actor’s journey is a sacred and important process. I truly believe in Uta Hagen’s words, “rather than LOSING yourself in a role, it would be better to FIND yourself in it”.

I use a variety of methods, depending on the demands of the character and story. Meditation and prayer are my building blocks. Emotional Memory and Substitution is my favorite, but I find myself doing partial-method acting, to a degree. I will find a routine that locks me into my character, when needed, but I also want to be able to build relationships with the people I work with. My techniques allow me to ebb and flow in and out of character, as needed, but remain centered on the project, and remain civil.

indieactivity : How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would still have got the part?
Jasen Wade : I was connected to the project through a random phone call from the director and producer. They had seen some previous films of mine and knew that I could tackle the emotional needs of the character, Conner Rose. We had several wonderful conversations, and by the end of it we all knew we wanted to work together. Once I read the script I knew I needed to be a part of this project. The story was that powerful to me.

indieactivity : Let’s take this project you did; how did you prepare for such a role: the cast, the physicality the terrain, the climate, weather and the demands of the project?
Jasen Wade : To prepare for my role I was able to pull a lot from my own life. I have a 16-year old daughter, and parts of this story were very close to home for me. I read the script several times, and each time I would write down every impression I had, no matter how insignificant it seemed. I am a memorizer. I love the flexibility that gives me. Once I’m “off-book” then I can play around with the character and the scene and see where it takes me. I also will break-down the scene to a degree, but I am more concerned about being in the proper emotional space rather than breaking a scene down into “beats”. Although I have never experienced the loss of a spouse, I have had other painful losses in my life that I could easily substitute . There are so many people that have suffered through many of the challenges this film addresses. I did my best to bring my heart into the project to honor that pain.

indieactivity : As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Jasen Wade : I feel most of my choices were good. I came out of the project a better man. There was insight and healing in my personal life, so I must have done something right.

indieactivity : How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Jasen Wade : A favorite choice I made, to create the character from the script into a person, was when I called the director, Warren Fast, and told him to forget about a rental car. I wanted a bike instead. I took a look at all our locations and realized they were all within a 10-mile radius. I wanted to feel like Conner Rose, a citizen and business owner in that area, a struggling father, a neighbor, a local. What better way to ground myself than to ride those streets, get to know the area instead of simply driving through it. I took a different route to set every day, working through the emotions of the scene for that day, and it drove a feeling of belonging into me in such a wonderful way. I would be a sweaty mess by the time I got to set, but I was emotionally ready to rock n’ roll.

indieactivity : What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Jasen Wade : The scene when Alaska, my daughter in the film, breaks down and starts screaming at a picture of her mother, still gives me chills to this day. It took everything in me not to just melt into a sobbing mess. That scene is so painful… so real. It’s a delicate balance between allowing yourself to be a vulnerable and emotional parent that is connecting with your child through a shared pain, but also showing confidence that your child is going to get through it, when you’re not even sure if you can get through it yourself. I loved the layers and challenges of that scene.

indieactivity : Explain one creative choice you took on set of this production?
Jasen Wade : Warren Fast is a true collaborator. He has a vision for his film, but if you have a suggestion to try something different, he is all for it. That kind of flexibility and freedom allows the creative juices to flow. Being supported by a collaborative director can allow magic to happen.

indieactivity : You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Jasen Wade : What keeps me going is the heart of Independent Filmmaking. You are surrounded by passionate creatives. No one is making big bucks here, so there is a lot of heart and there is a lot of soul that the studios have long forgotten. You are surrounded by so many passionate creatives that the energy on set is infectious.

indieactivity : How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Jasen Wade : Everyone has a different style, a different approach. I love finding out what works best for that actor and feeding off of their process. Some just need their space, some need to talk out a backstory that is longer than the script, some just need to run lines and see where it goes. I love it all.

indieactivity : What did you take away from the film production?
Jasen Wade : My favorite thing I took away from this project is our little film-family we developed during the course of this shared experience. To be able to be a part of a strong story, to be given such an interesting character to tackle, to get to drive a boat around those beautiful waters for several days, have a great time while making a movie and then to also make friends while doing it… priceless. Also, Panama City Beach, FL opened up every possible door to us. They were wonderful to work with. A great place to shoot a movie. I can’t wait to get back to that paradise.

indieactivity : What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Jasen Wade : Warren Fast is an Actor’s-Director. He is an actor himself. He understands the process. He is also a gifted writer, so he is coming at you from so many wonderful places. He understands story. He knows your character probably just as well as you, so when he speaks to you about choices in a scene it comes from a place of real understanding. He has a vision for his film, but he also prides himself on casting his film well and trusting in the actor’s process. He is driven with an exceptional level of talent. He honestly was able to bring out deeper performances in many of the cast members. He deserves all the success this movie will bring him.

indieactivity : What is next for you?
Jasen Wade : My next project is about a recluse sheep herder who is obsessed with hunting down a giant grizzly that keeps wreaking havoc on his flock. I’m growing a beard and getting ready to go insane. It’s going to be a crazy ride. It’s based off of actual events, but that is all I can talk about at this time.

indieactivity : What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Jasen Wade : My advice to up and coming actors is always going to be “bring something of substance to the table”. Don’t come rushing into this business without having a sense of who you are and what you can contribute. Work on this craft. Work hard! Also, be nice!! This is a small community. There is no room for your ego. Allow every project to teach you, inspire you, and make you better in some way. Don’t ever do anything in this business just for the money or the fame. That is a desperate and lonely road. This is a path of self discovery, spiritual renewal and the love of Art.

As Stanislavsky stated, “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.”

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