LEADER OF TOMORROW IN FILM AND TV IN NEW BRUNSWICK JASON K. ROY

How do you see yourself evolving as an artist over the next few years, and what new projects or themes are on the horizon for you? Well on the horizon is 2 days from now in studio, doing French voice dubbing for multiple characters in a limited TV5 Unis doc series. Evolving…same as it has so far….if it feels fake doing it, why do it? Stripped down to basics, what I do as an artist is a selfish endeavor with selfless payoffs – it feeds my soul and hopefully gives something back to whoever is paying attention. What message would you like to share with our audience about the importance of supporting local arts and culture in the Maritimes? I’m not making any revelations here – if no local, all is lost. Local arts and culture anywhere is a basic need, same as food, clothing and shelter are for humans. What films have you been a part of in the last three years and who is the most memorable artist you have got to work with on set?! ‘Pandemic times’ are a blur for me like for many, however the past three years have been filled with lots of commercials, voice acting, lots of public and in-house training videos, a couple of short films, a tv series, voice work on an audiobook-podcast, some modelling gigs, a music video, waves of auditions… One artist that stands out, Ilkay Silk. I’ve only met her once. I was fortunate enough to act in a few scenes with her on the set of a feature film, Queen of the Andes - a 2018 Telefilm Canada Talent to Watch recipient, that Jillian Acreman directed. I knew of Ilkay a bit, public knowledge about receiving the Order of Canada, talented actress, educator, playwright and so on but not much else. Those scenes were not rehearsed, we did a few dry runs on the day and ‘action’. I’ve never shared this with anyone, but I felt like I had just walked into a whole different game. She had a presence, subtle but real distinct. She elevated those scenes, seemingly effortlessly to me. Already I felt very privileged to be cast yet alone work with her. How do you think growing up in the Maritimes has influenced your artistic perspective and style? All I know is that I have an inherent humility, appreciation for the underdogs, respect for authenticity and a level of resilience and perseverance that I know I can attribute to my parents in many ways…perhaps some of that comes from growing up in this slice of the country? I’ve travelled, worked abroad some and I know from experience that you clearly see a brilliant distinction with Maritimers. Some people smarter than I can likely give you a way better answer. What do you think sets your performances apart from others in the industry? I wouldn’t go so far as setting apart…all I know is that when I commit to something, I’m all in, especially with acting and art in general. I try to bring as much of myself as I can to set for the role – the prep work which gives me some levity and freedom to improvise and give as much as I can to my co-actors. I respect everyone’s time on set, enjoy the bonds that form at times and just trying to give a performance worthy of the writer’s story, be it a film, commercial, whatever the project. I’ve never walked into any project as a solo artist. How do you balance your work as an actor with your work as a multidisciplinary artist? All of it ebbs and flows from one medium to the other. I don’t always succeed, but I generally plan out my days and weeks as aligned w/ my set goals and pursuits as possible. I’m not military about it all, I always leave room for anything and everything else, yet for whatever I have on my plate, I just find a way. Trust me, I fail often like everyone but I do have that drive in me – I make it work.