Eddie George – Another Version of You

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) Outside of the movie Another Version of You, what are the recent projects you’ve been busy working on?

A) Oh wow! I’ve been doing a travel show for Chicago the last year or so going to various cities. Developing my businesses. From a personal perspective, I’m working on a one man show writing it. So, a little bit of everything. Just trying to be the best version of myself, in terms of me being a good father husband and entrepreneur.

Q) How was your character Mortimer originally described to you?

A) Mortimer was described as a guy who really sets the tone for the entire movie. Mortimer has gone on this experience. He’s unlocked the key to success. In some regards, Mortimer has found his best version of himself and found the true meaning of life’s purpose. He’s trying to give the key to someone in need. I thought it was brilliantly well done – not my part but just the writing. [laughs]

Q) How does he assist Diggsy on his journey?

A) I was assigned to find the gentleman that supposed to take this key since I’m in no longer use of it. He sees him at a bar and studies him to make sure he’s the right guy. Then, kind of seeing his anguish and seeing that it is in fact him, he approaches him and has a conversation with him about it. He kind of lays out the rules of the game, so to speak.

Q) What made you want to be a part of this film?

A) I thought it was a really great way to tell a story. With the parallel worlds, I think we as people are always trying to find the best versions of ourselves, trying to find love and trying to find happiness and trying to find purpose. That’s what this film really speaks about. You have the opportunity to leave the life that you have and search for greener pastures when, in fact, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. So, you have a sense of appreciation of where you are and what you have. You do have love and I’m out here searching these other worlds define true happiness when it’s right underneath my nose. What you think is perfection may really be imperfection. And what you think is imperfection is probably perfection for you. That’s what kind of really drew me to this project. I think it’s really universal and speaks to People on all levels.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the movie?

A) I got to know them on set. I got to work with a couple of them add a few acting classes around the city of Nashville. but for the most part i got to know them on set.

Q) What advice did director Motke Dapp offer that you took to heart while shooting?

A) Well, I would say is to tell the truth and to relax in the role. take your time because you have plenty of time and search for the truth. Don’t worry about the camera and don’t worry about certain words. Just be honest an authentic in your storytelling. that is what was conveyed to me – just to breathe and to tell the truth. I tried to take it from there.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) I only have one scene at the bar. I just set everything off and I don’t return. I told the director that if this is successful then we should do a prequel to this. [laughs] We should show how Mortimer got to where he is. Hopefully, we can make that happen one day.

Q) Since you are on social media, are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’re going to be receiving to Another Version of You?

A) Yes, I’m looking forward to that feedback and hearing peoples’ thoughts. I know they’re going to be pleasantly surprised. I know they’re going to be drawn and engaged into the movie. There are some of the most gorgeous scenery that I have ever seen in this movie. It’s a really wonderful inspirational and feel good movie. I hope that people take that away from this movie. It really tugs on your emotions, your emotional being, and that’s when you know you’ve got a good story. It pulls you in and draws you in emotionally and you really truly care about the characters and you really truly care about the vision of it. It inspires you to travel and to be better and to have better relationships and to have a sense of gratitude for the things you do have. That’s what I’m hoping people will be saying when they walk away from this.

Q) What made you want to get into acting after a life on the football field?

A) I always had an interest in acting. I wanted to take it seriously so I sought out an acting coach in town. She really took me under her wing and said if you really wanna do acting then you have to start off in theater. I was like, “No way. There is no way I’m doing theater.” But she challenged me to do it and I fell in love with the art of storytelling. Acting is just telling the truth in imaginary circumstances. Ever since then I’ve just had a thirst and a hunger to do more on stage and take on plays like Othello and Julius Caesar and plays written by Suzan-Lori Parks Topdog/Underdg and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. So, that’s how I initially got into it and I just fell in love with it. We all tell stories in our day-to-day lives to convey a message, to sell a product, to get a point across and to inspire. Whatever that may be the tip is to always tell a good story. The art of communication is really 99% of success. The better you can do that in a real authentic way the more success you can have.

Q) What did you learn on the football field that you took with you into acting?

A) Work ethic, paying attention to detail – those things carry over. Trusting your teammates and thereby by trusting your teammates you have to trust yourself so you have to know the playbook. You have to know the text, being on time or before time and bringing your creative self to the football field because you have plays drawn up. But it takes you, as the artist and the athlete, to make the magic happen. There are a lot of similarities and parallels that run between being an athlete and being an actor. The only difference is you know the outcome of one story, you just don’t know the outcome of another one – the football game – and how it is going to unfold. There is definitely a level of entertainment and artistry that is being created on the platform of a football field or a basketball court or a baseball diamond -whatever that is. So, yes, there are definitely certain similarities.

Q) How do you select the projects that you work on?

A) I ask myself why do I want to take on this role. Is this really going to help me grow as an actor and as a person? And, quite frankly, does this roll scare the shit out of me? Is it going to stretch me? If my answer is “yes” then I’ll go for it. When I did my first musical, Chicago…I’m not a gifted singer but I can hold a note or two. I went for it and wound up getting it. I’ve been doing it for the last three years ever since. I’m trying to think said challenge me that I’ve never done before enter out of my comfort zone, so to speak.

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

A) Thank you, thank you and thank you. I have so much gratitude for the fans that are supporting me and the second half of my career. I’m thankful to God for one that I’m able to do this and that I have the talent to do it. I’m just really honestly my conduit of the gift that Christ put into me. All of that really goes back to glorifying God and, hopefully, this will inspire others to search within themselves for the power that God has put into them. Hopefully, it inspires them to do more in their lives to be better with whatever their passion is and whatever they are seeking for themselves.