Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason MacDonald.
Jason, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started as a “theatre punk” in the 80’s. I did school plays, community theatre, summer stock and made my professional debut at the age of 13. My love of acting led me to New York City to attend Circle in the Square Theatre School (the only school affiliated with a Broadway theatre). After graduation I worked off-Broadway and started doing commercials, soap operas and indie films. I went out to LA for six years and continued to work. Headed back to NYC and started writing to supplement my income. Ended up writing for A&E’s show ‘Biography’ for three years. Best freelance job ever!.
In 2006 my actress/producer wife, Catherine Dyer and I moved to Atlanta to be near her ailing father. We figured we’d spend a couple of years in Atlanta and then head back to LA or NYC. Little did we know that Atlanta was going to become a Mecca for TV and Film. The boom in 2008 (due to generous tax incentives) benefitted us greatly. I started working as an actor fairly steadily for the first time in my career in TV movies, feature films, episodic and commercials. My wife has amassed credits such as ‘The Blind Side’, ‘The Resident’, ‘Taken 3’ and ‘Stranger Things’. I have had the pleasure of working on ‘Good Behavior’, ‘Life as We Know It’ and as Grayson Gilbert on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ among many others.
In 2013 I saw a huge need for a training ground for actors in Atlanta. So much work was coming our way but the talent pool wasn’t necessarily strong enough. So along with my wife and friends (and fellow actors) Claire Bronson and Scott Poythress we founded Drama Inc. Our studio offers classes, seminars, workshops, private coaching and more for actors of all levels. We are there for the newest newbies and also for the veteran actors needing a “work out” (and for everyone in between). It has been a tremendously rewarding experience and we have built a solid standing in the community. As an off shoot we recently founded Drama Inc. Films to develop more “home grown” content. We have co-produced several short films including the Atlanta Film Festival audience award winner ‘Color Blind’ and our first solo produced film ‘Mr. Goody’ just recently won awards at the Barcelona Film Festival and the Prague Independent Film Festival. From theatre kid to actor for hire to freelance writer to award winning film maker, it has been an amazing ride and I am always wondering “what next?!”
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I wear several hats. Actor, writer, producer and director. But with each one I am aiming for the same result: to affect people, to make them ponder, think, question and sometimes simply laugh. As an actor I don’t usually have control. I am a “hired gun” so I end up having to work within the constraints of the script. But I always try to find the human within the character. What makes them tick? Why do they make these choices? I try to relate to my real life but also pull from observation of others and my imagination.
In my writing I am always interested in telling a compelling story. A story that will pull the audience in, will make them lean forward in their chair. That is the most rewarding thing. I call them “lean in moments” – when the audience is so engrossed in the story that they actually physically move their bodies closer to the TV/Screen/Stage.
As a director it is similar and the goal is always to honor the story. To make sure it is being told in an honest and compelling way. My last two short films are starkly contrasting. My film ‘Ditched’ is about a wealthy family that hits a pedestrian on an empty country road. They debate whether to call the authorities or to just leave him. It is a statement on class and privilege and the result, I think is shocking but not uncommon. My award-winning film ‘Mr. Goody’ is a light look at the world of job interviews. Quick, funny and hilariously relatable.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
A life following your heart and passion in the arts is not easy. I spent years working in restaurants, as a personal trainer, personal assistant, dog walker and more. You give up a lot. Time with family and friends, holidays, weekends etc. But I say to my students: if this passion burns inside of you it cannot be extinguished. It is a fire you may try to put out but if it truly burns hot there will be nothing else you can do.
So, my advice is this: find your “tribe”, like-minded people who will support you and lift you up. These are people you can collaborate with, make short films or do plays with. One guy has a camera another person knows a friend with sound equipment, someone else has a location you can film in…and suddenly you are making art. You are producing, creating. It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money. But it takes a team.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My short films are making the festival rounds so they can’t be posted or shared with the general public yet, they will be available on dramainc.net in the future.
I am directing a play that will be performed at Drama Inc.’s Studio K Theatre Space in October. The play is ‘BASH’ by Neil LaBute and it is a chilling look at how supposedly “normal” people can do awful things, more info will be on the Drama Inc. website and Facebook pages soon.
Contact Info:
- Address: 650 Hamilton Ave
Suite I
Atlanta GA 30312 - Website: dramainc.net
- Phone: 404-600-6070
- Email: jason@dramainc.net
- Instagram: @atlantajmac
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.macdonald.142
- Other: jasonmacdonald.net
Image Credit:
Raymond Wood
C Dyer Photography
Alex Baxter
Justin Miller
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
