Local StoriesApril 6, 2022

Meet Jason Lockhart

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Lockhart.

Hi Jason, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A laundry list of what I’d consider failures have brought me to today. All I ever wanted was to work in movies. Got bit by the theatre bug at age 11 and was instantly addicted. Also did a slew of commercials, industrials, and even film work, before getting my undergrad degree in acting. Then I moved to Hollywood, chasing the big dream, but as I tasted bits & pieces of success, it was never enough. I was always still frustratingly thirsty and far from proud of any of my work. And the competition was fiercer than words can describe. So I moved behind the camera into writing & directing. While that was creatively more fulfilling, it wasn’t providing financial longevity and I wasn’t bettering humanity. If anything, I was more selfish than ever, and my world in Los Angeles was spiraling downward, into dark places and poor decisions. Was I good at anything? Fortunate for a strong support system of loving friends & family, I embarked on a new path with more education, wiser decisions, and selflessness at the root. I had bounced around desks at talent agencies and finally realized my path was choosing me. All of my peaks & valleys while struggling to make it in the entertainment industry could possibly benefit others along their journeys. So I took a frightening job offer across the country to a city and market I knew nothing about. And today, that’s exactly where I am and what I’m doing; In Atlanta, helping and representing hundreds of actors for Film & TV. All day, every day, for often more than 12 straight hours with barely time to eat or breathe. But today, I’m really happy! And post-pandemic, I’m mostly working remote, in a home office surrounded by all my favorite sports memorabilia, Batman toys, and other pop culture collectibles. It’s a colorful, fun, and positive environment to spark epic origin stories for other people.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s no such thing as a smooth road when you’re hot headed and impatient. I rushed most major decisions in my 20s. It wasn’t until my 30s that I really started to take criticism and use it to my advantage. Criticism (outside of a school-like setting) is just free advice, or so I’ve decided. I can’t tell you how many times people said or made me feel like I wasn’t good at something, I didn’t do well enough, or wouldn’t even respond back to me. That’s Hollywood for you. It’s a subjective world and an even more subjective industry. I remember sitting in a room full of important creative types and being ridiculed for my “lack of talent.” Talk about a sh*tty day…. But one I’ll remember forever as I decided to make changes for the better. Now I tend to face fear head on. Run toward a challenge instead of away from it. And I’m also much more realistic, having realized that half the sh*t we worry about never even happens or was simply energy and time being wasted. And I think time is more valuable than money the older I get.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Many people think I’m scouting for talent all the time. False. I’m representing talent. Trying to find and solidify work for our existing roster of clients. Our company reps actors, for Film, Television, Commercials, Industrials, Print and Voiceover work. I was newly promoted to President of Atlanta Models & Talent (AMT), so I do oversee all departments, but day to day I’m still the Head of Film & TV, and that’s my wheelhouse. On any given day, I’m a therapist, a lawyer, a negotiator, a salesman, a bill collector, and sometimes get to be a little creative too. I know it’s a competitive industry so I try to work as hard, fast, and smart as possible. Why choose just one? Efficiency in any job is a sure path to prevail, so my inbox is almost always at zero, anally categorized, and often sees over 1,000 emails/day, in addition to rolling calls and navigating seven text convos simultaneously. I’m probably known for my blunt, fast-talking candor, array of tattoos, and use of Bitmojis and GIFs in professional communication, and just don’t give a f*ck. I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. I’m pitching actors all day long, getting them as many auditions as possible, and then hustling for deals and closing them. What am I proud of? My team (Hi Kelly & Madison) and our roster.

We have over 500 amazing, talented clients, landing dream-making jobs on shows like The Walking Dead and Stranger Things, and we’re constantly booking actors for DC Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Lately, we’ve been extremely fortunate, racking up over 100 new contracts/month. The Southeast market is on absolute fire and our company is continuously growing. If I could rep every talented actor in the world, I would. Wish I could be the person who believes in them and has the realistic power & position to help. I’d love to be that person for them, the one I never had. Unfortunately though, I’m just one guy and there’s only so many minutes in a day. So for all of whom I’m unable to cross paths with, I did write a book (Ask an Agent), and am thrilled it became a #1 best seller on Amazon. Hopefully, that means it’s helping people far beyond my reach. It was intended to be an honest resource for actors, filled with behind the scenes info, on the business side of things, in hopes that my personal advice, mistakes, and experiences can better serve their own.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m a firm believer in the old saying that “Good luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity.” I’ve been preparing my whole life and do constantly feel “good luck” on my side. I guess that means the opportunities just keep coming. And thankfully, these are mostly opportunities for other people. Watching and helping others achieve success is like giving gifts you’re really excited about. It truly feels more rewarding than getting something for myself. I believe in Karma too, and it’s fascinating how things like love, consistency, and happiness have always been my ultimate dreams, and they finally started to come true once I put other people first.

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Image Credits:
Amanda Ellis

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