INTERVIEW WITH Jed Bernard

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-Can you explain to the audience your career?

At age 8, I became a Cub Scout, and part of our path to graduate into Boy Scouts was to put on mini plays and programs to entertain our community members, parents and friends.  At that young age, I thoroughly enjoyed performing in front of a live audience, and still do... 30+ years later. 

 

I moved to Los Angeles back in 2004 after graduating CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO and haven’t stopped creating art!

 

Here’s a link to my complete professional work from TV and Film:

 

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1769908/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

 

 

-How many years have you been making movies?

In 1998, I got my first "break" in an indie-short film, “Sandwich” (Dir. Michael Hudin). 

 

We shot it in North Beach, San Francisco for free food and soda…(I wasn’t of legal drinking age back then).  It was an eye-opening experience, and incredibly fun seeing the creative process work for the first time. Needless to say, I was hooked!

 

-Why did you want to be in movies?

As a child, I grew up in a small country town (Gridley, California) with my big sis and little brother. There wasn’t a lot going on for us kids in the 90’s…..but man, did we love watching movies, as cinema showed us other parts of the world and helped us play with imagination.

 

 

-Tell us a little about your project. What will the audience be able to see in your film, DYING FOR A LIVING?

Without giving too much away, I play a shady character, hired to help out a guy in need. The audience will see a mean version of me, as "Christo".

 

-Why did you do this project?

My Director, (Darin Munnell), my Co-Star (Chris Armas) and I wanted to shoot something we could really sink our teeth into.  Darin mentioned off the cuff that he had a short film script he wrote ten years ago, and asked if we wanted to read it. Darin sent it over, and Chris and I jumped on board. We all knew we had something special here, and I’m so grateful we went for it!

 

 

-One of the problems some directors encounter is directing actors and dealing with some actors, especially in the amateur world. How do you see this topic? What kind of work do you do with them?

As an Actor that has seen first hand, on-set drama, from past projects, I feel the 

Director is the captain of the ship, and we actors must respect and trust the Director. Actors play a piece of the proverbial "pie", and must be responsible for showing up prepared, ready with choices, and open to change things up if necessary. In short, the Director is my boss, and I trust their vision for the project at hand. 

 

With “Dying For A Living”, Darin pushed me hard, because he knew I could go to that dark space. We were both athletes back in school, so we already had that “team mindset” instilled in us. 

 

We were also fortunate to rehearse a lot before shooting, so our game plan was clear and concise. We both have a very deep respect for each other in that regard.

 

-If you could go back, what would you change about this project? (1 thing only)

Nothing. I’m proud of the work I did and how it all came together, congruent with the directors’s vision.

 

 

-What are you happiest about this project?

I am happiest with the idea that a group of friends can come together and synergistically make an independent work of cinematic art, that is respected and admired by other industry professionals and entertain viewers too! 

 

I truly thank everyone that has seen it!  

 

 

-Make a wish to the movie gods. What do you ask?

Please let me work more with talented artists!!!! 

 

 

-What kind of cinema do you like?

Too many genres to list... haha.....I love Foreign Historical Cinema, Classic Hollywood Film-Noir, Documentaries and some Classic American Comedies.  

DeNiro, Pacino, Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz, Fassbender, Scorsese, Cassavetes, Nicholson, Ray Liotta, Jeff Bridges, Steve Martin ...  seriously, there are too many to list!  

 

 

-Imagine that all the movies are going to be lost. If you could save 3 movies, what would they be?

 

1. The Big Lebowski

2. The English Patient

3. Street Car named Desire

 

I have my reasons for these choices, and they are personal. haha.

 

Thank You so much for the interview, Indie House, and I'll see You all at the Movies!!!