Amin Joseph – Snowfall

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) We just wrapped “Snowfall.” Next up I have a horror film that I can’t disclose yet and a bio pic.

Q) What can you tease is in store for Jerome Saint this season and his friends?

A) I think the audience will realize with more money comes more problems and that Jerome and his accomplices (for a lack of a better word) are dealing with the repercussions of having a lot of money and the responsibility of keeping peace while still expanding the business operations.

Q) Have you had much of a say in how the character has developed?

A) I definitely have had the ability to voice my opinion, the plot, the different themes and the way the character is evolving. That’s still the writing team that ultimately makes the decision of where the character goes, of course. It’s my job to bring that vision to fruition. The actor can control that part of how you perceive the material, the type of choices that you make based on circumstances. That’s really all the actor has control of, ultimately.

Q) What continues to challenge you about portraying Jerome?

A) Interesting question. I think that’s something that I’m always looking for. I think that I do have a circle of truth around my head to portray a man that is an adult in the 1980’s, based on his experiences and based on his personal reality has chosen this lifestyle. He’s chosen loyalty to the family. He’s chosen money over morality. I think that when you look at the inner idea of what makes a person tick you can always find a new source of inspiration to portray the character that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with what is on the page, but to look into that inner psyche of what makes a person…that’s probably my driving force. The responsibility to tell the story of a man that perhaps would be judged, ostracized or seem soulless to some to seem like nothing more than human garbage. To some that would be a hood icon, often times a character like this doesn’t have a say in how he is perceived. He doesn’t have the marketing. He’s seen on evening news as a pariah to society. So, there is a circle of truth there to portray someone who is dynamic, multidimensional and has a humanity, whether he is making good choices or not.

Q) What continues to drive Jerome in his participation in the drug business?

A) I think perhaps the difference between someone who is doing something because of the social economic or out of desperation…Personally, I think that can be a cop-out for many people. I think that “Snowfall” does a good job of showing where the contradiction lies in doing an evil for the greater good. I think that this particular character, Jerome, is familiar with the repercussions of going down this road. I think that particularly this season…In the beginning, I think you saw the moral conflict of the show, as far as not wanting to go down the road of making this a full-time operation. I don’t think it was totally a moral high ground. I think that it was the repercussions of what this brings – that it would bring more problems, unwanted enemies and it would more than likely bring a certain type of heat down on the family. So, I think he’s always looked for a way to get out, but I think he has a loyalty to Aunt Louise (Angela Lewis) and his nephew that in some ways that he did show this side of making money, as far as the weed and cocaine he was selling and helping the young man make money to support his family. I don’t think he’s morally ambiguous, but I think he’s calculated in saying, “I don’t want to make this a career option.” He realizes that he’s not a young man and he can’t do another jail term. He’s been incarcerated before so he knows the repercussions more so than he’s morally sound. I don’t think he realizes the effect of what this particular drug can do on the community, but he does recognize with making more money you can have more enemies. If you’re selling a drug like cocaine in the neighborhood, it’s going to bring unwanted attention because it’s sold at such a high price point. I think a big part of this season is, yes, he has money. Last season we saw he was able to save a lot of money. I don’t know how many characters are saving money the way he is. He was able to split it with his partner Louise and I think this season we’ll see him looking to invest in his own business. Looking for a way to kind of get out of the game.

Q) Does the cast spend much time together off screen?

A) Yeah, fortunately we do. It’s sort of a cliché thing to say, “Oh, the cast gets along so well.” But in this case, it’s been over three years since we’ve worked together now. Some of the cast lives in LA and some live abroad, but I think we do take an interest in what each other does. We see each other from time to time. We’ve experienced births together and loss as well. So, I think those kinds of things bring a sobering reality of all our humanity, being actors and having families.

Q) What have been some of your favorite scenes to film or ones you are looking forward to fans seeing this season?

A) I’m looking forward for fans to see the evolution of Franklin’s (Damson Idris) character this season. I don’t want to get into particular scenes. I think quite naturally we’re following that character a lot and I’m looking forward to fans seeing how he evolves in this third season. I also think fans will get a kick out of how the world, in general, of the show expands. We meet new characters. The stakes are continuing to rise. Some of the sociopathic behavior of some of our characters are really getting into the inner psyche of what makes some of our characters tick and the repercussion so what that does to our communities and the government’s overall involvement. The stakes definitely rise a lot this season.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) Yeah, yeah. I love going back and forth with the fans of the show. I often respond in character so it’s also kind of fun. I’m not big on social media outside of projects that I’ve done. I’ve been able to kind of come in from the Jerome perspective, which is kind of fun.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure our readers know about this new season of “Snowfall?”

A) It’s important to tune in from the season premiere. I just saw it at a film festival and it was a very sobering episode. It’s educational, entertaining and is has a visceral stark reality of our country’s history. But it’s also funny, dynamic and (like I said) entertaining. If you’re looking for a summer series, that’s “Snowfall.” I’m really impressed and proud of the work of the producing team and FX giving us the opportunity to showcase a stark reality, but from a fictional standpoint.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I would just say tune in and that we have more antics to come with Jerome. And that wig that I have on my head – Sheila. Like I said, just take the journey. I know I’m a very charismatic character on the show, but there is an inner depth and humanity. I look forward to fans of the show and the character being entertained by that.