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.
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!!
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!!
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