Today we’d like to introduce you to Amondre D. Jackson-oglesby
Amondre D., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started acting 14 years ago when I snuck on the set of Transformers 3 “Dark of the moon.” They made me an extra on set because that’s what they thought I was so I went with it. Watching Patrick Dempsey, and Shia Lebouf act up close and personal was amazing. Extras don’t get treated that well so all I remember thinking was “I don’t belong here as an extra, I belong in front of the camera doing what they’re doing.” So, as just an actor, new to Atlanta nearly 8 years ago I trained with some of the best, I built a community of friends in this industry, and I got a chance to see first hand the struggle that most face. Whether that struggle is due to money, confusion about industry standards, finding the right education, finding a steady home, there was always something with someone and I wanted to help. I booked my first major role at the end of 2019 playing L.C. Cooke in Regina King’s One Night in Miami, currently streaming on Prime. I got a chance to see how the pros do it, and I got some real set experience that helped me better understand the need and expectation of actors. I started managing a couple actors to see what that was liked, brand new actors at that. In less than a year, I was able to use my knowledge and experience to coach them and guide them to success. In year one, they both signed with great agents, and booked great work. For years, I toyed with this idea of starting a nonprofit dedicated to giving actors everything they need to elevate their lives and careers, and in 2024 I finally decided to do it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been tough. It certainly has not been a smooth road. In this industry everything is about choice, and when you’re green (a term for new actor) you are typically desperate for any agent or any booking. When this happens, a lot of times you end up with the wrong agent or the wrong booking for your brand. These are things that I dealt with. It took me years to take all the contradicting information I learned and finally put the puzzle pieces together properly to create the right puzzle. When you’re with the wrong agent, you’re not getting many auditions and you’re sitting still while everyone is passing you up. Those are wasted years. When you book the wrong job, that follows you forever and if your brand grows to great heights, that terrible job will always be attached to you, but a wise man once said, it’s never how you start, but always how you finish. Today, I have a great agent and I know what I’m going in this business, and I understand my brand well enough to decide what work I want to do and what I don’t.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most known for being an actor. A lot of people don’t know that I am also a talent manager with two clients so far that have grown to have great careers in a short amount of time. I’m a screenwriter by hobby, but plan to change that soon to “for hire”, I’m an acting coach, and the Founder of T.A.L.O. The Actors Life Organization Co. I know that sounds like a lot, but everything I do is related to the acting industry. At T.A.L.O. we’re dedicated to elevating the lives and careers of actors in GA. We provide affordable education, tools, resources, support, and emergency financial assistance to actors in need. We offer the most affordable acting classes in the city of Atlanta at only $100 a month guaranteed to never change, and we’re a trusted resource for actors. People can learn a lot about us and the acting industry just by browsing our website at www.taloco.org.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Learn as much as you can, take it all with a grain of salt, be confident in what you do, patience is a virtue in this business, and know that in this industry everyone wants what you have to offer, they need you, so never act like you need them.
Pricing:
- $100 per month for acting classes. Sign up at taloco.org/classes
- Donate any amount to help GA actors by visiting taloco.org/donate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taloco.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talo.corp?igsh=MXNvczY4aXBoN2dwcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558341764318&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/talocorp
