Meet Pakob Jarernpone

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pakob Jarernpone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Pakob, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I have always believed that if you want something to happen you have to put in the work, put in the hours, and go all in, almost like a psychopath in some respects. I learned this quality from my mom. I heard in a podcast once that success and insanity are each other’s neighbors, and that they borrow sugar from each other. It’s like anyone that’s achieved a high level of accomplishment or mastery in any field has had to become obsessed with getting better to an almost insane level of intensity. I may not be the most skilled, the fastest, or the strongest in certain things, but I will work hard and will not give up until I get it and move forward. I will outlast you.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born in Bangkok, Thailand. I was adopted when I was 5 months old and came to America. I grew up raised by a single mother in Ohio. I became interested in acting after I worked as a background extra in the first Avengers movie. I was completely fascinated with seeing how everything comes together on a big budget set. It made me curious about the way everything works and after talking to some other extras I started to try auditioning for local indie projects and student films. I started taking acting classes and was really enjoying learning a technique. I signed with a few agencies in smaller markets and since then have booked numerous industrials, local commercials and various roles in indie films. Acting has always been something that made me curious when I was in my teens and twenties, but it just seemed like something out of reach or unrealistic, so I didn’t seriously pursue it until much later in life. I absolutely love everything about the storytelling aspect of acting. It’s such an interesting art and is one of those things that unlike sports or other endeavors, one can literally do it their entire life if they want. I love how learning a technique really changes people. It’s really more than just learning an acting technique, it’s also about learning how to live your life in a more positive, healthy way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the most impactful thing for someone that’s new to acting to do is to start taking classes. Classes are so important not only to learn the craft, but to begin meeting people and building your network of people involved with the industry. Also be realistic about your expectations when you start. Making really great money early on is hard, and because of the nature of the business at first you’re going to be spending more money on getting started then you will raking it in. Make sure you have another stream of income. It’s a hard journey and you have to have a degree of mental and emotional toughness because of the high level of rejection. It’s easy to become discouraged when you’re auditioning and not booking as often as you’d like. You need to focus on the little victories day by day. Even getting an audition is a big win and separates you from the pack, so it’s something you should feel good about, whether you get a callback or not.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When you’re struggling with anything, or feel stuck, sometimes it’s best to just step away. Take a breather, go eat some food, watch a movie or do something to take your mind away from it for a bit. Then attack it later.

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