Hello everyone! Samantha Fury here with a great three-part interview with Jason Tobias!!!
First, I'd like to thank Jason Tobias for sharing his time with us. And, thanks to you, our readers and authors for dropping by to read what he had to say . . .
I love to learn more about the models featured on my covers. A few months ago, I went looking for a dashing prince to include on the cover of my soon to be released semi-sci-fi romance novel, and there Jason was! He had the perfect look so I purchased the image but just had to know more about the man behind the image.
The book will be released this summer. While working on the book cover, I decided to contact Jason to see if we could interview him, and he agreed! Please join us (below) to learn more about Jason Tobias.
Question 1# Thanks again, Jason. So as not to waste your valuable time, we will jump right in with question one. What was your first modeling assignment and how old were you?
Jason - I honestly can't recall ... I assume it would've been out here in Los Angeles around a decade ago (2009). I did some lifestyle shoots for Harley Davidson so I was around 25/26. We had to pose out on this track in the Inland Empire and have a good time, while bikes zipped around a track. We had a blast out there.
Question 2# Jason, your bio says you were born into a creatively oriented family. Did this help, hinder, or have no effect on your modeling career?
Jason - It didn't affect it one way or another. It was more of an environment to spur creativity. I had to make my own fun as a kid a lot, and having parents who were in respective creative fields was great.
Question 3# Was modeling your first career choice or was it a ‘planned’ stepping-stone into acting?
Jason - It was a byproduct of looking for work in Los Angeles. Unless you are a 'working actor', on a show, moving from project to project, etc., you need to supplement income. Commercials, print, plays - anything that keeps the lights on while you are auditioning. It's a common way of life out here. Keeping your head above water while you search/hunt for work. In looking for work, I would see breakdowns (castings) for models and some felt like I could see myself in the role, so I submitted to them. I've had some great shoots and met some amazing folks in the process.
Question 4# Since you, like the rest of us, live and work in the real world, what happens if you are scheduled for a photoshoot and you get sick or cut yourself shaving?
Jason - Preventative maintenance is a major factor in my business. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking care of yourself is a number one priority. Getting sick, or not being able to audition/work- is a serious detriment, but it can happen. In that case, you have to inform production, or the photographer, that you are unavailable and that's never a fun call. So many people are on the hook in those instances. Money and resources have been spent and that is hard when the piece missing stalls all of that. You feel terrible. As for 'cutting myself shaving', well- that's what make-up is for. Unless it's a horror style shoot, ha ;)
Question 5# When you are scheduled for a photoshoot, what do you need to know so you can be prepared for the shoot? (i.e., Are you told explicitly what is wanted beforehand or do you learn what you will do when you arrive on set? Do you ever have to supply a costume or some other kind of prop?)
Jason - You need to know the address, wardrobe requirements, is there wardrobe there? Are you bringing your own? Is this an indoor or outdoor shoot? What type of shoot is this? Solo? Couple? Lifestyle? Fitness? Fashion? Etc. I have had to supply some of my own clothing to shoots. It's tough too, because my wardrobe is pretty limited. I'm a very frugal person.
Question 6# You are featured on several novel covers. Have you ever read any of the books on which your picture is featured?
Jason - I am always grateful to be working and thankful for being on the covers I have been. I am a big science fiction and comic book fan, so a majority of my reading may be on graphic novels or the latest comics that are out. I have, as of late, started reading more novels that are on the all-time, best selling list. Catch-22 and Lord of the Flies are currently being consumed, and of course, scripts. I am constantly reading and writing scripts. I'm afraid I have not read any of the books I am featured on but my grandmother reads them and sends me pictures of them. She's always pleased when she spots one :)
Thanks, Jason, for taking time out of your busy schedule to make time for our readers. We're looking forward to parts 2 and 3 of this conversation. Readers, feel free to check out the links below to keep up with what's going on with Jason Tobias. Come back over the next few days for parts 2 and 3 of this interview. You won't want to miss anything!!
Follow Jason Tobias below
First, I'd like to thank Jason Tobias for sharing his time with us. And, thanks to you, our readers and authors for dropping by to read what he had to say . . .
I love to learn more about the models featured on my covers. A few months ago, I went looking for a dashing prince to include on the cover of my soon to be released semi-sci-fi romance novel, and there Jason was! He had the perfect look so I purchased the image but just had to know more about the man behind the image.
The book will be released this summer. While working on the book cover, I decided to contact Jason to see if we could interview him, and he agreed! Please join us (below) to learn more about Jason Tobias.
Question 1# Thanks again, Jason. So as not to waste your valuable time, we will jump right in with question one. What was your first modeling assignment and how old were you?
Jason - I honestly can't recall ... I assume it would've been out here in Los Angeles around a decade ago (2009). I did some lifestyle shoots for Harley Davidson so I was around 25/26. We had to pose out on this track in the Inland Empire and have a good time, while bikes zipped around a track. We had a blast out there.
Question 2# Jason, your bio says you were born into a creatively oriented family. Did this help, hinder, or have no effect on your modeling career?
Jason - It didn't affect it one way or another. It was more of an environment to spur creativity. I had to make my own fun as a kid a lot, and having parents who were in respective creative fields was great.
Question 3# Was modeling your first career choice or was it a ‘planned’ stepping-stone into acting?
Jason - It was a byproduct of looking for work in Los Angeles. Unless you are a 'working actor', on a show, moving from project to project, etc., you need to supplement income. Commercials, print, plays - anything that keeps the lights on while you are auditioning. It's a common way of life out here. Keeping your head above water while you search/hunt for work. In looking for work, I would see breakdowns (castings) for models and some felt like I could see myself in the role, so I submitted to them. I've had some great shoots and met some amazing folks in the process.
Question 4# Since you, like the rest of us, live and work in the real world, what happens if you are scheduled for a photoshoot and you get sick or cut yourself shaving?
Jason - Preventative maintenance is a major factor in my business. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking care of yourself is a number one priority. Getting sick, or not being able to audition/work- is a serious detriment, but it can happen. In that case, you have to inform production, or the photographer, that you are unavailable and that's never a fun call. So many people are on the hook in those instances. Money and resources have been spent and that is hard when the piece missing stalls all of that. You feel terrible. As for 'cutting myself shaving', well- that's what make-up is for. Unless it's a horror style shoot, ha ;)
Question 5# When you are scheduled for a photoshoot, what do you need to know so you can be prepared for the shoot? (i.e., Are you told explicitly what is wanted beforehand or do you learn what you will do when you arrive on set? Do you ever have to supply a costume or some other kind of prop?)
Jason - You need to know the address, wardrobe requirements, is there wardrobe there? Are you bringing your own? Is this an indoor or outdoor shoot? What type of shoot is this? Solo? Couple? Lifestyle? Fitness? Fashion? Etc. I have had to supply some of my own clothing to shoots. It's tough too, because my wardrobe is pretty limited. I'm a very frugal person.
Question 6# You are featured on several novel covers. Have you ever read any of the books on which your picture is featured?
Jason - I am always grateful to be working and thankful for being on the covers I have been. I am a big science fiction and comic book fan, so a majority of my reading may be on graphic novels or the latest comics that are out. I have, as of late, started reading more novels that are on the all-time, best selling list. Catch-22 and Lord of the Flies are currently being consumed, and of course, scripts. I am constantly reading and writing scripts. I'm afraid I have not read any of the books I am featured on but my grandmother reads them and sends me pictures of them. She's always pleased when she spots one :)
Thanks, Jason, for taking time out of your busy schedule to make time for our readers. We're looking forward to parts 2 and 3 of this conversation. Readers, feel free to check out the links below to keep up with what's going on with Jason Tobias. Come back over the next few days for parts 2 and 3 of this interview. You won't want to miss anything!!
Follow Jason Tobias below
Hello everyone! Samantha Fury here with part two of our exciting interview with Jason Tobias!!!
Question 1# Thanks again, Jason, for joining us. This may be an unusual question, but if you could remake any movie character or play any role in any past movie, who would your dream character be and/or what role would it be? And, would you keep that character/role true to the original, or would you create it anew with the ‘Tobias touch’?
Jason - Good question ;) I'm a BIG Star Wars fan and I love the story of Darth Vader. So, given the opportunity- I would thoroughly enjoy playing Anakin Skywalker. He's gotten a bad rap I feel, and for as much as I enjoyed Hayden Christensen's portrayal of him, I would change the timeline that we get to perceive him at. A little older, late 20's to early 40's- more grizzled and hardened from the Clone Wars. That would be awesome :)
Question 2# Great answer. I know we have a lot of Star Wars fans in our audience and I hope they’ll all check out the Short that you made. I watched it and it’s a great Short playing to the fans who so love the Star Wars movies. Link here. For our next question, has a modeling job, a photoshoot or a commercial you were in ever segued into a movie offer?
Jason - Not that I can think of, but- what I always believe that staying busy, working with great people and growing your community (networking) is always a good thing.
Question 3# Do you enjoy being recognized in public or do you prefer to dash around unrecognized? Are you recognized more as an actor or a model?
Jason - This hasn't happened to me all that much outside of premieres, or in the random cases at the grocery store or post office to date. When it does, it's flattering for sure and I always do my best to be cordial and provide as much time as I possibly can. Depending on the circles, it can change. Some people have seen a lot of the covers I have done- but, I am in costume (or the lack thereof) and my hair was a LOT longer in some of those shoots. From what I'm told, I look very different with long and short hair. I would say it's 70/30, films to covers.
Question 4# That’s very interesting… so I guess it’s true that clothes really do make the man. :) I have been known to purchase and/or read a book based solely on the title or the cover art. I hope after this interview more people will come to read and appreciate the books graced by your image. With that being said, on to the next question… For you, what is the hardest thing about acting - learning your lines, keeping a schedule someone else makes for you, long hours on the set, extremely early or late shooting, etc.?
Jason - The hardest thing is: Wanting to be working ALL THE TIME :) I love what I do and I don't care how much I need to prepare, how long I'm on set, how early- or late. I am very excited to be a part of every production I'm in, SO the hardest part is the downtime for me. But- I'm a very proactive person. I have a production company and amazing partners to share the workload with, so there's never a dull moment there!
Question 5# It sounds like you lead a very busy and exciting life. If you had, or needed, to be something other than a model or an actor, what career path would you pursue?
Jason - Teacher. I like seeing people achieve and succeed. And who knows, perhaps one day when I'm more satisfied with the goals and finish lines I'm pursuing, I may look into that.
Question 6# Teaching is a noble profession. I commend you for even considering such a position. In your acting career, you have played a variety of roles on TV, on the big screen and in Shorts and starred with many actors and actresses. Do you have a favorite role and a favorite co-star? (Just for my own curiosity, how was it to work with Adrian Paul of Highlander fame in The Fast and the Fierce? Did you like the TV series?)
Jason - I've jumped around pretty heavily in the roles I've played. I've been the good guy, the charming rogue, the shocking/offensive jerk, the dreamer, the underachiever, the dad, the accountant, the voice of reason, the hero and the villain. It's a wonderful feeling to embody all of those things honestly. I believe that's why we *humans love stories in the first place. The ability to connect with the characters in them can take us to so many places. Adrian Paul was great! He was there to handle business and he made it a priority to do so. Everyone kept asking me to say: "There can only be one..." to him... I did not ;)
Question 7# Did your decision to play Jesus in The Second Coming of Christ stem from a church background? If not, why did you choose to play the role and what did you do to prepare for the role?
Jason - This was a very interesting role for sure. One, simply the gravitas of the character and what he embodies. As an actor, the ties that come to playing a character are there- no matter what. People's beliefs, opinions, thoughts, etc., you're going to be in the middle of all of that.
I can honestly say, I was excited to play the role and wasn't prepared for the amount of controversy that came with it. But, it's part of the process. I am not a very religious person, I am however- spiritual. And the experience was nothing short of a spiritual one indeed. Preparing was more repetition in learning Aramaic than I'd ever done before. It was challenging, but amazing to play in that space. At the end of the day- I can say, I am very humbled by the opportunity.
Question 1# Thanks again, Jason, for joining us. This may be an unusual question, but if you could remake any movie character or play any role in any past movie, who would your dream character be and/or what role would it be? And, would you keep that character/role true to the original, or would you create it anew with the ‘Tobias touch’?
Jason - Good question ;) I'm a BIG Star Wars fan and I love the story of Darth Vader. So, given the opportunity- I would thoroughly enjoy playing Anakin Skywalker. He's gotten a bad rap I feel, and for as much as I enjoyed Hayden Christensen's portrayal of him, I would change the timeline that we get to perceive him at. A little older, late 20's to early 40's- more grizzled and hardened from the Clone Wars. That would be awesome :)
Question 2# Great answer. I know we have a lot of Star Wars fans in our audience and I hope they’ll all check out the Short that you made. I watched it and it’s a great Short playing to the fans who so love the Star Wars movies. Link here. For our next question, has a modeling job, a photoshoot or a commercial you were in ever segued into a movie offer?
Jason - Not that I can think of, but- what I always believe that staying busy, working with great people and growing your community (networking) is always a good thing.
Question 3# Do you enjoy being recognized in public or do you prefer to dash around unrecognized? Are you recognized more as an actor or a model?
Jason - This hasn't happened to me all that much outside of premieres, or in the random cases at the grocery store or post office to date. When it does, it's flattering for sure and I always do my best to be cordial and provide as much time as I possibly can. Depending on the circles, it can change. Some people have seen a lot of the covers I have done- but, I am in costume (or the lack thereof) and my hair was a LOT longer in some of those shoots. From what I'm told, I look very different with long and short hair. I would say it's 70/30, films to covers.
Question 4# That’s very interesting… so I guess it’s true that clothes really do make the man. :) I have been known to purchase and/or read a book based solely on the title or the cover art. I hope after this interview more people will come to read and appreciate the books graced by your image. With that being said, on to the next question… For you, what is the hardest thing about acting - learning your lines, keeping a schedule someone else makes for you, long hours on the set, extremely early or late shooting, etc.?
Jason - The hardest thing is: Wanting to be working ALL THE TIME :) I love what I do and I don't care how much I need to prepare, how long I'm on set, how early- or late. I am very excited to be a part of every production I'm in, SO the hardest part is the downtime for me. But- I'm a very proactive person. I have a production company and amazing partners to share the workload with, so there's never a dull moment there!
Question 5# It sounds like you lead a very busy and exciting life. If you had, or needed, to be something other than a model or an actor, what career path would you pursue?
Jason - Teacher. I like seeing people achieve and succeed. And who knows, perhaps one day when I'm more satisfied with the goals and finish lines I'm pursuing, I may look into that.
Question 6# Teaching is a noble profession. I commend you for even considering such a position. In your acting career, you have played a variety of roles on TV, on the big screen and in Shorts and starred with many actors and actresses. Do you have a favorite role and a favorite co-star? (Just for my own curiosity, how was it to work with Adrian Paul of Highlander fame in The Fast and the Fierce? Did you like the TV series?)
Jason - I've jumped around pretty heavily in the roles I've played. I've been the good guy, the charming rogue, the shocking/offensive jerk, the dreamer, the underachiever, the dad, the accountant, the voice of reason, the hero and the villain. It's a wonderful feeling to embody all of those things honestly. I believe that's why we *humans love stories in the first place. The ability to connect with the characters in them can take us to so many places. Adrian Paul was great! He was there to handle business and he made it a priority to do so. Everyone kept asking me to say: "There can only be one..." to him... I did not ;)
Question 7# Did your decision to play Jesus in The Second Coming of Christ stem from a church background? If not, why did you choose to play the role and what did you do to prepare for the role?
Jason - This was a very interesting role for sure. One, simply the gravitas of the character and what he embodies. As an actor, the ties that come to playing a character are there- no matter what. People's beliefs, opinions, thoughts, etc., you're going to be in the middle of all of that.
I can honestly say, I was excited to play the role and wasn't prepared for the amount of controversy that came with it. But, it's part of the process. I am not a very religious person, I am however- spiritual. And the experience was nothing short of a spiritual one indeed. Preparing was more repetition in learning Aramaic than I'd ever done before. It was challenging, but amazing to play in that space. At the end of the day- I can say, I am very humbled by the opportunity.
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Hello everyone! Samantha Fury here with the final part of our exciting interview with Jason Tobias!!!
Question #1 Our readers would like to know more about your immediate family. Your father and mother are mentioned in your bio as being artists. You mentioned your grandmother in one of your responses. Do you have brothers and/or sisters? Do you have a wife/significant other? Do you have children? Does your ‘family’ include any furry creatures, or even scaly or crawly ones?
Jason - My Mother was a leather artisan at one time and my father is a musician. They're some talented individuals :) I don't have a wife, or any children YET! I don't have any pets either, although- I do love dogs.
Question #2 What is your favorite pastime? Are you a landlubber or do you enjoy the open waterways? Are you a fisherman? Do you water ski or snow ski? Do you ride horseback, Harley’s, a Ferrari or an Aston Martin? You mentioned being frugal so maybe you are more of a BMW or Lexus type of guy?
Jason - Favorite past time is watching films, reading and relaxing. I really do enjoy traveling also, and I've been fortunate to do so for work. Land or sea- there's no better place than to be with good company and good friends. I don't fish, but I have in the past. I was told I talk too much though, ha! I have water ski'd and I used to snowboard near where my mom lives in Colorado. There's some beautiful powder there! I do ride horseback. I've been riding since I was young and had an old mare when I was around 6. She'd plop along and I'd hold on tight. No Harley's, Ferrari's, or Aston Martin's- YET ;) Well, my version of frugal is 'minimal possessions.' I don't own a lot of *things. And as for cars- there's too many on the road in L.A. already ;)
Question #3 My understanding of Los Angeles is that you have mostly warmer weather the year around. Having been raised in Ohio, you were exposed to the four seasons. Do you miss having Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter? If so, do you visit places to experience different seasons? Or, are you perfectly happy with warm weather?
Jason - L.A. is pretty steady throughout its seasons. We don't have a fall, or winter here. So we're in this constant swing of summer to spring- from year to year. Of all the seasons, I miss Fall the most. It's a great time of year and the foliage in certain places is stunning. I was in Vermont for foliage season last year for a film festival. It was gorgeous. I don't do well in EXTREME heat and what I mean by that, is anything over 90*... I know to some, they love that- me, I can't take my skin off when it gets that hot, ha! But, I can always put on more clothes if it's cold.
Question #4 Lucky you! Vermont in the Fall! Visiting the NE states in the Fall is on my bucket list. Next question . . . Do you own a home? If not, is it a matter of personal preference or perhaps the need to be able to relocate quickly, if necessary?
Jason - I don't own a home. In southern California, the cost of real estate is something that can make your eyes pop out ;) So, I rent for the time being. And it does have its benefits as well. I can come and go as I please and I'm not strapped down in any way.
Question #5 What projects are you working on (if you can tell?) Will anything be out this year? If not, what are the timeframes - so we can look for you.
Jason - Currently, we're in post production on our first feature film: F.E.A.R. A survival, horror, film that will be brought to market this fall. Maybe it will be released this fall/winter, or possibly next year- FINGERS CROSSED. As for a release date; that is not up to me. I've just wrapped a Star Wars podcast that I'm co-hosting and it will be launching towards Comic Con, this summer in July. And I'm currently putting the finishing touches on another feature film- to add to our slate. I'm pitching two T.V. shows that we have and we're gaining traction there. So, there's never a dull moment on my side- TRUST ME! I'm excited that a film I did a couple years ago will be released on cable this summer. I can't reveal any more than that for the time being, but its been a long time coming.
Question #6 Congrats on your first feature film and good luck on the T.V. shows. Hopefully we'll see them soon. A question along those same lines, what is your career projection for the next 5 years? The next 10 years?
Jason - 5 Years: To be better than I am today and keep learning. 10 Years: Repeat the first part ;) The rest is mine.
Question #7 For our last question, what did we not ask that is something we should know about you? And again, thank you so much for your time.
Jason - You've asked a pretty fair amount- thank you. But I would say that one thing people don't know about me is that I'm an artist who loves to draft and illustrate. I've worked on comics and splash pages and even have my own work show up from time to time, although, I keep that part of the 'skill-set' more to myself. :)
Well, folks, this wraps up our time with Jason. I hope you have enjoyed our conversations. And, Jason, thanks again for your time and this great interview. Maybe we'll catch up with you again soon.
Question #1 Our readers would like to know more about your immediate family. Your father and mother are mentioned in your bio as being artists. You mentioned your grandmother in one of your responses. Do you have brothers and/or sisters? Do you have a wife/significant other? Do you have children? Does your ‘family’ include any furry creatures, or even scaly or crawly ones?
Jason - My Mother was a leather artisan at one time and my father is a musician. They're some talented individuals :) I don't have a wife, or any children YET! I don't have any pets either, although- I do love dogs.
Question #2 What is your favorite pastime? Are you a landlubber or do you enjoy the open waterways? Are you a fisherman? Do you water ski or snow ski? Do you ride horseback, Harley’s, a Ferrari or an Aston Martin? You mentioned being frugal so maybe you are more of a BMW or Lexus type of guy?
Jason - Favorite past time is watching films, reading and relaxing. I really do enjoy traveling also, and I've been fortunate to do so for work. Land or sea- there's no better place than to be with good company and good friends. I don't fish, but I have in the past. I was told I talk too much though, ha! I have water ski'd and I used to snowboard near where my mom lives in Colorado. There's some beautiful powder there! I do ride horseback. I've been riding since I was young and had an old mare when I was around 6. She'd plop along and I'd hold on tight. No Harley's, Ferrari's, or Aston Martin's- YET ;) Well, my version of frugal is 'minimal possessions.' I don't own a lot of *things. And as for cars- there's too many on the road in L.A. already ;)
Question #3 My understanding of Los Angeles is that you have mostly warmer weather the year around. Having been raised in Ohio, you were exposed to the four seasons. Do you miss having Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter? If so, do you visit places to experience different seasons? Or, are you perfectly happy with warm weather?
Jason - L.A. is pretty steady throughout its seasons. We don't have a fall, or winter here. So we're in this constant swing of summer to spring- from year to year. Of all the seasons, I miss Fall the most. It's a great time of year and the foliage in certain places is stunning. I was in Vermont for foliage season last year for a film festival. It was gorgeous. I don't do well in EXTREME heat and what I mean by that, is anything over 90*... I know to some, they love that- me, I can't take my skin off when it gets that hot, ha! But, I can always put on more clothes if it's cold.
Question #4 Lucky you! Vermont in the Fall! Visiting the NE states in the Fall is on my bucket list. Next question . . . Do you own a home? If not, is it a matter of personal preference or perhaps the need to be able to relocate quickly, if necessary?
Jason - I don't own a home. In southern California, the cost of real estate is something that can make your eyes pop out ;) So, I rent for the time being. And it does have its benefits as well. I can come and go as I please and I'm not strapped down in any way.
Question #5 What projects are you working on (if you can tell?) Will anything be out this year? If not, what are the timeframes - so we can look for you.
Jason - Currently, we're in post production on our first feature film: F.E.A.R. A survival, horror, film that will be brought to market this fall. Maybe it will be released this fall/winter, or possibly next year- FINGERS CROSSED. As for a release date; that is not up to me. I've just wrapped a Star Wars podcast that I'm co-hosting and it will be launching towards Comic Con, this summer in July. And I'm currently putting the finishing touches on another feature film- to add to our slate. I'm pitching two T.V. shows that we have and we're gaining traction there. So, there's never a dull moment on my side- TRUST ME! I'm excited that a film I did a couple years ago will be released on cable this summer. I can't reveal any more than that for the time being, but its been a long time coming.
Question #6 Congrats on your first feature film and good luck on the T.V. shows. Hopefully we'll see them soon. A question along those same lines, what is your career projection for the next 5 years? The next 10 years?
Jason - 5 Years: To be better than I am today and keep learning. 10 Years: Repeat the first part ;) The rest is mine.
Question #7 For our last question, what did we not ask that is something we should know about you? And again, thank you so much for your time.
Jason - You've asked a pretty fair amount- thank you. But I would say that one thing people don't know about me is that I'm an artist who loves to draft and illustrate. I've worked on comics and splash pages and even have my own work show up from time to time, although, I keep that part of the 'skill-set' more to myself. :)
Well, folks, this wraps up our time with Jason. I hope you have enjoyed our conversations. And, Jason, thanks again for your time and this great interview. Maybe we'll catch up with you again soon.
Remember to Follow Jason Tobias below