We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jason Coulter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jason below.
Jason, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Working hard is VERY important. I think, if you have a passion or a dream, there is no amount of work that feels like enough. But, no matter how much you love something, burnout does happen. It’s natural. Especially if you are doing work in the same place, for the same amount of hours, at the same time every week.
Sometimes all I need to do is walk around, breath deep, meditate or pray. Stepping away for that short moment is sometimes enough for a quick reset.
If that doesn’t work, I think the best way to avoid burnout is to get out of the “stale” environment. If I still want to work, I take it with me, but then I do that work surrounded by nature, because sometimes just being around some water or some trees really inspires me. But, sometimes, work can be overwhelming. If that happens and I feel extra blocked or burnt, I leave the work behind for a little while and get out into nature.
Nature to me is the best creative stimuli. Whenever I feel stuck or just tired. I take myself to the beach or go on a hike with a nice view. Breath the fresh air. Reconnect with with this earth that we are blessed enough to be a part of. There has never been a time that going out into nature hasn’t reinvigorated and recharged my creative or emotional juices.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
First and foremost I am an actor. There is nothing else I would rather be doing than performing. What’s most exciting about acting for me is that I am forced, in a way, to learn empathy. Acting allows me to walk in shoes that I never would’ve walked in. It allows me to have values that are completely different than my own. But no matter what the circumstance is, I have to look at all of these different characters as human. Every character is a chance to understand that every human is going through their own individual journey and trials.
The other part that I love, is the collaboration. Actors are such a small part of the full film team. We are one of the last puzzle pieces of a 15,000 piece puzzle. There are so many people that work tirelessly to make these productions happen. Everyone has to work together and be a unit in order for everything to work out and look the best. I also like the idea that it’s not my project, it’s the directors. Once I am on set, I work for the person behind the camera. Of course, I do the work, and I come in with Ideas and choices, but at the end of the day it’s not my movie. I am happy to play around with ideas and try stuff that the director wants. I love a true creative space that is full of collaboration!
The newest thing that I have going on is, my best friend and I began collaborating to make stage combat and stunt fighting videos on Instagram, Tik Tok and Youtube. We do Japanese combat ju jitsu together and we take dance classes, so we aptly named ourselves Ju Jitsu Salsa. We like to think of ourselves as the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of sword fighting.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One of the best skills that I found a little late in my journey and it also doubles as advice for anyone starting their journey. LET IT GO AND DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. I think, in a career that is 99% rejection. Letting it go is the only way to get by. Once you learn to let go and understand that the reason you didn’t get the job truly has nothing to do with you, the happier you will be.
The second piece of advice that I heard is from the late and great Alan Arkin. When asked how he feeds his acting, he responded with “Get a life.” I believe this to be 100% true. In order to put yourself in any and all circumstances, in order to truly feel the full spectrum of emotions you have to get a life. Enjoy life. Go out and meet new people, fall in love, break a heart, get your heart broken, do something that makes you cry tears of joy, have a family, etc. Whatever it is, get out there and make you life the best part of your life. All of that life experience will make your acting deeper and way more exciting.
The last piece of advice that I would share is to love yourself and trust the process. The only person that will 1,000% support you no matter what, is you. You are the only one that can get yourself motivated, get yourself moving, pull yourself out of that “funk” that you are in. No matter what happens in your life, only you can allow yourself to be affected by it. Don’t let the negative self talk rent space in your head. Give yourself a hug and move on. You will have your opportunity when you are ready for it. It may happen tomorrow or many years from now. But as long as you stay prepared and as long as you continue to spread love, when your time comes, you will be more than ready to make your mark. Never give up on the dream you can’t live without.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Time Keeper by Mitch Album was such an impactful book for me. There isn’t much to say because every reader responds to it in their own way. For me, it should me how precious time can be, but also how keeping track of time can cause you to lose track of what is truly important in your life. I believe it has shown me that being present is the only way to remain happy. Don’t worry about the future, it’s written already. Don’t worry about the past because it’s already happened. If you focus on any other thing besides the here and now, anxiety, worry, and the need for control will take you over. There is no need to dwell on or hope for the present because your already there. Enjoy it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm7977399?s=0cca83d0-febe-4812-e55b-089533ff0d4e&site_preference=normal
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjasoncoulter/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
