Jessie Wilson Just Stay Interview

Jessie Wilson Just Stay Interview

Question: Can you talk about why you've decided to make the move to LA?

Jessie Wilson: As an actress, working in Hollywood has always been something I've dreamed of but it wasn't until recently while I was in LA participating in a program called -Hollywood Immersive' that things really fell into place. I was training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse when manager Ken Jacobson saw me perform and asked if he could represent me. Ken has been a top manager in the industry for 20 years, he discovered Hilary Swank and got her the role in 'Boys Don't Cry", so knowing he'd had so much success with her and other talented actors like Ben Foster and James Franco I jumped at the opportunity.

It was a fortunate chain of events that resulted in a great offer to star in an upcoming feature film 'Just Stay" and a voiceover-acting role for a new animated cartoon 'Piggywood".

I must admit, waking up to the Hollywood sign everyday and the endless sunshine certainly made the decision easier, it's such great motivation knowing you're in the heart of the acting industry!


Question: How would you describe your new film, Just Stay?

Jessie Wilson: I can't give away much about it yet, buuut I can say it's a romantic comedy with a twist! A really big twist; things aren't always what they seem.

I'm really excited to be involved with such a great project and those involved are all extremely talented. It's going to be a fantastic experience. My partner (former big brother 2007 contestant) Thomas Haynes and I have worked the director before on a short film called 'Under Kings", and he approached us to play the lead roles on this story. After hearing the concept we immediately said yes because it's a story that hasn't been told before and will be a fun surprise for the audience.


Question: Can you tell us anything about your character in Just Stay?

Jessie Wilson: I'm playing 'Melanie" a 20 something who is about to marry her college sweet heart 'Bradley", which is amusing because it's the first time Thomas and I will play a couple on screen. I'm blissfully happy and I think my life is complete, but then in an instant I am totally surprised by the events that unfold. I wish I could spill more!


Question: How does it feel to be working with your partner, Thomas Haynes?

Jessie Wilson: On screen it's certainly easier to be natural and it works for this role so that part of it comes easy, but when we've worked together in the past we've had to act like strangers which takes a lot more commitment to your character.

Both being actors makes life a lot easier, you can bounce ideas off each other and can work as a team on the business side of it, which, surprisingly, is more than half the battle. Moving to LA would certainly be much harder if I had to do it alone that's for sure!


Question: What inspired your interest in acting as a career?

Jessie Wilson: I began acting in primary school when our teacher asked if we wanted to take part in lunchtime theatre sports, I quickly raised my hand. From that moment on the dream was born, I decided pretty quickly it was all I ever wanted to do and its never changed. It's never been about money or fame or any of those things for me, which is why a lot of people seem to want to do it, I just love acting. Even if I never got paid and no one ever knew who I was I would still be an actor.


Question: How do you feel when you watch yourself of the big screen?

Jessie Wilson: It's usually really awkward; I try to explain to people that it's like listening to yourself on an answering machine message, but worse. I'm my harshest critic so I'm always looking for things I could have done differently but it's satisfying when you really get it right and start to believe the character is you instead of the other way around, I think that's something that all actors want from a performance.


Question: Who inspires you in the acting industry?

Jessie Wilson: Rachael McAdams, I really admire her, she's so versatile and can play anything from bitchy teenager to a serious adult with equal authenticity. I also find director Judd Apatow, the writer of Knocked Up and This Is 40, really interesting. I love improvisation comedy and find his films have a realism that's borderline offensive where he takes our most intimate moments and shows that they are in fact hilarious but we just don't want to admit it to ourselves.


Question: What has been your career highlight, so far?

Jessie Wilson: It's hard to pick one highlight as I've had so many wonderful experiences. I loved performing at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and Off Off Broadway along with basically every role I've ever had. I also look back at an audition I did for HBO's 'Game of Thones" where I came close to landing the lead role of 'Daenerys Targaryen", that was a turning point for me where I first realized my dream could actually become a reality. Though I'd have to say better than any of these would be the feeling I got when performing in front of my Mum, she passed away when I was 16 but she always loved coming to watch me perform and I remember seeing how proud she was so that is something that I still carry with me today and I don't think anything will ever replace that.

Question: Can you talk us through your training?

Jessie Wilson: As a child I was part of the Victorian Youth Theatre Group and attended high school at Sandringham College, which has a great performing arts program, we even toured a show around England and the US. After graduating I moved to New York where I studied at the New York Film Academy and The Peoples Improv Theatre for a couple of years.

When I returned to Melbourne I took a few classes at The Australian Film and Television Academy, The Actors Nest, and 16th Street Theatre. I also did private accent training to perfect my American accent and was fortunate enough to do some screen combat training with the legendary Richard Norton. While over in LA I studied at the Beverly Hills Play House but without a doubt the most profound class and breakthrough I've ever had is with the Anthony Meindl's Actors Workshop in Los Angeles. Tony is so inspiring and the other actors and teachers really create an environment unlike any other, I have become a more aware and present actor and have also grown spiritually, if I could recommend any class it would be his.


Question: What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Jessie Wilson: Of course I could say the usual 'Don't give up" or 'Enjoy the journey" type of advice but the most helpful realisation I've had is that so much of working as an actor has nothing to do with acting at all, it's a business, and I wish I'd learned this sooner. I used to spend all of my energy honing my skills as an actor and making sure I was the best I could be, I didn't realise that as an actor I was the product and to be a success you have to be great at both the acting and the business side of it. Be ready to market yourself, have your headshots, have a website, business cards, and of course work on your craft too, perfect accents and read 'At Left Brain Turn Right" it's by far the best acting lesson I've ever had. Above all else make sure you're actually working for success not just wishing for it, they don't call it show 'business" for no reason.


Question: What's next, for you?

Jessie Wilson: At the moment Thomas and I are packing up our lives in Melbourne in preparation for the big move to LA.

Pilot season also starts mid January and lasts until April so we'll be focusing on that. The funny thing about acting is you have to keep at it constantly and just because you've got work doesn't mean you can stop looking for the next opportunity. We're really excited to get back to LA and actually set up a life there, staying for a period of time is a lot of fun but working there and being able to start a life there will be a thrill.


Interview by Brooke Hunter