Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Park.
Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I never thought about being an actor or director growing up. I grew up on the Big Island of Hawai’i, where those types of things or scenarios aren’t typical. So we were taught to go to school, and go to the “Mainland”. Later in life, I went to finish high school in GA. My best friend and I used to watch movies all day, every day. I still didn’t realize that I wanted to make movies. My friends and I were big into tuner cars and the car community, we would meet at local car spots every Friday night. I didn’t know at the time, but that love for cars, and the Fast & The Furious franchise. Would be one of the motivators in developing Hypatude Productions and our Feature Film “Four Amigos”. Which releases on Amazon, September 9th, 2022. Funny how events in your past could help bring color to your present. Anyway….. One day my mom forced me to go to this acting thing she heard about on the radio. It was for an acting school called at the time “John Robert Powers”. I don’t know if they’re still around. But the representative had me perform a commercial in front of the entire auditorium. I got up and just did it. I didn’t know what I was doing. Because of that performance. The owner at the time paid for all of my classes and flew me out to a Las Vegas event called IPOP. I won some awards, got an agent, graduated high school and flew out to Los Angeles. I would not recommend taking these steps looking back.
Throughout my 15 years span in Hollywood. I’ve been signed by big agents and boutique agents. I’ve worked in front of the camera on national commercials and films. I’ve modeled for countless amount of catalogs and products. What I can tell you is this. It’s up to you to book the job. It’s up to you to have a career. I spent 15 years auditioning and waiting for someone to give me permission to act. My career really changed when I decided to write & create my own films. Which led me to my first film “Rex Park: Curse of the Golden Buddha” now available on Tubi TV. To my second film “Four Amigos” releasing on Amazon on September 9th, 2022. To my third film “Pizza Boy Rick” which is currently in production (as of this interview). I also created other series and reality shows like “Med Spa Life” “List or Go Broke”. I’ve done all of this without agents, managers, auditions or anyone’s approval. I say all of that to say this. By taking your career into your own hand, By creating and implementing your vision. By not waiting. You’re able to define your career, and inspire others. And illustrate the creative you would like to be.
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?
It’s never a smooth road, there’s always pot holes. When I went out to Los Angeles at 18. I didn’t have any money in my pocket or a family to get money from. What I had was a dream of being a successful actor. Later in life, I would realize that you can be more than just an actor. I struggled for years. Homeless sleeping in my car. Not really being able to get a good job because I had to be available for auditions. Not able to afford food. I used to eat a chicken finger meal from Ralphs and that would last me days. I didn’t have a plan b. I was in the mindset of, I don’t need a plan b. Plan a is going to succeed, I had some success, but more failure and heartache. Looking back at it in hindsight, I just wasn’t good enough. It’s tough to come to that realization because it hurts. But the sooner you realize that the sooner you’re able to get better. I would always get to callbacks and the job would fizzle. I must say I’m a way better performer on the days I shoot. Compared to the audition process (I don’t know why). I’ve worked on a bunch of projects, but I never booked the big game-changing film or series. I watched other actors who I know, who I worked with have extraordinary careers. I used to feel like “Why them and not me?”. Now as a mature, confident man. I’m extremely happy for them. It excites me. I feel joy when I see people that I know win. Or anyone for that matter. Because they made it, and if that doesn’t inspire you. Then what does? For all my creators out there. You have to change the crabs in the barrel mentality. There’s plenty of jobs and roles out there for everyone. And if you don’t fit in, or see roles for you. Then create it.
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?
As a filmmaker, you’re going to come across challenges. During my career, I rarely saw people that look like me in leading roles. One of the most motivating factors on why I started Hypatude Productions. Is that I wanted to create films that were original stories. Films where any race could play any character. Where Asian Americans are in leading roles. I play the leading role in most of my films, like Adam Sandler and Tyler Perry. Which are two individuals that I highly admire. The work ethics are unmatched, along with their excellent catalogs. I want to change the way Asian American creators are viewed in American cinema. We’re not always the sidekick or the Kung Fu guy. We are leading characters, love interests, husbands, and fathers. Could you imagine Batman being played by an Asian guy? I would love to play Batman! Could you imagine a world where the lead actor in Top Gun Maverick, Superman, or the love interest in Titanic was an Asian man? I can imagine that.
I’m also creating that. Because people write what they know and are familiar with. You can’t expect someone that’s not Asian or African American. To write a story with that ethnic group as a lead character. I love what Marvel does with their films. It’s so diverse and lively. If I ever get the chance to be a part of a Dragon Ball franchise, I promise I will do it justice. I would start at the Namek saga. It would be crazy, I’ve had visions. The biggest thing that sets me apart from others is consistency. We’ve created a movie every year since we started. I work with the same team of talented actors, and I wouldn’t have been able to create anything without them. Because they bring the life and color to the films. My wife is a huge inspiration and helps me stay focused on the goal (she keeps it real and keeps me in check). My brother helps me on all my endeavors and projects. My circle is small, but I need them in order to succeed.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you’re a creator, a filmmaker, actor, director, producer, writer, or visionary. Don’t wait for the right circumstances, don’t make excuses. Just work with what you got. Have a day job that pays your bills, and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. When you are not financially struggling and trying to find out how you’re going to eat or pay your bills. Creating is much easier. It’s one of the things that if I could go back to when I was 18. I would have gathered a skillset, created films sooner, and not tied my life to acting and its outcome. You are not the outcome, you are not the success. You are great just the way you are right now. The things that you accomplish in life, are just things that you do along your journey. You are not defined by those moments. You are defined by the way you live your life every second that you are alive. Be happy for others. Be kind. Stay positive and believe. Create a plan and get it done.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Hypatude.com
- Instagram: @hypatude
- Youtube: Hypatude
Image Credits:
Photos by Chryseis Dawn
