We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Kaler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.
John, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
That is the super power for all of us. When auditioning or making a first impression, bringing yourself to the room is important. Usually, they have no idea what to expect, so when you bring yourself, its a completely new angle to the work or introduce. When I first started, I was consumed with trying to take it so serious and I had a lack of understanding of who I was an artist. Once I started studying, I realized that my entire approach wasn’t right. You have to know who you are and highlight your super powers. You have to read the material and not add or subtract information that’s not there. Being you is such an important part of this. There is only one you!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi, I’m John Kaler, an actor based out of Boerne, Texas. I started producing and creating my own work in 2020, after a few years of training and working on other independent films. I have worked on feature films and television in California, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Atlanta, and other states. I eventually teamed up with my mentor/director, Alejandro Montoya-Marin, who I’ve produced two feature films and almost ten short films with. I learned by working with Ale, that it’s important to find other collaborators and film makers that you can build with. During Covid, I co-wrote and created a short film story, THE WRONG GUY, which went to win a bunch of Awards including Best Short Film and Best Actor. I used this film as a calling card and at the same time, I created relationships with other like minded artists over a year and the ended up being cast in The Unexpecteds. The Unexpecteds is a film about four friends who put their life savings into investing in an infomercial Influencer named METAL MIKE. This film stars MATT WALSH (Veep) and was shot in February. I couldn’t be happier with the experience of working on a major feature film and also crafting with several working actors, whom I had been a fan of each. We are hoping to release The Unexpecteds soon, as it’s wrapping up post production as we speak!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My first advice to anybody starting out is to not rush yourself into the field. Understand that it doesn’t happen over night. You need to train and study in person or zoom with a respected Teacher or actor, whom has worked on a ton of projects you have enjoyed. The goal is to learn the basics of acting and on camera work. Many times, people run into the “industry” and start declaring and expecting opportunities, when they are far too inexerienced for, and the industry 99% does not react to somebody self proclaiming thoughts. It takes work, studying and lots of time. Take your time. Also by taking classes, you might gain a mentor, a community, and in hand that will give you a platform to try new things in class and gain supporters! The second advice I’d give, is reading books about the profession you are interested in. ‘Audition for Your Career, Not the Job’ by Tim Phillips and ‘The Intent to Live: Achieving Your True Potential As An Actor’. Both these books have so much knowledge and first hand experience on self tapes/auditioning and breaking down the material. I highly recommend both books! The third piece of advice I’d give, is remember this industry is the movie business, not the movie club. So study the business, pay attention and learn procedures that have worked for others. Theres a lot of information and truth, right under the surface, that you can learn by just spending time soaking up information.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I have two mentors I am very proud of working with. James Dumont, an actor and amazing teacher, based out of New Orleans. He runs @OnCameraWorkouts and has been such a blessing to my training and career. I highly recommend other aspiring actors, to look him up and observe/participate in one of his classes. Another mentor of mine, Alejandro Montoya-Marin, has pushed me past where I thought I could go. He has cast me and taught me a lot of neat behind the scenes knowledge working with him. Both mentors have come organically, but time and work has built a great platform so far. Find people who believe in you but also want to help you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JohnKaler.com
- Instagram: @itsjohnkaler
Image Credits
I own the rights
