Jason Genao – The Get Down

By starrymag | May 25, 2017

By: Jay Smith

 

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

 

A) Currently, I’m back in classes just trying to better my craft. And doing a bit of promoting my current works.

 

Q) How was it getting to act in productions with adult themes?

 

A) I have never worked on any project that didn’t deal adult themes luckily enough.

 

Q) What finally pushed you into acting outside of school productions?

 

A) After a long time of should I or shouldn’t I…I finally decided that I absolutely had to after watching the filmLa Vie en Roseand Marion Cotillard’s performance.

 

Q) What made you go for the role of Napoleon in“The Get Down?” How was it presented to you?

 

A) What drew me to“The Get Down” was the writing. It was so well written and had such great talents attached like Stephen Adly and Baz Luhrmann. I knew I had to be a part of it.

 

The part came to me after I had initially auditioned for the role of Zeke. I went in and it went pretty well, but it just wasn’t for me so instead they called my manager saying they wanted me to read for this other character Napoleon and the rest is history.

 

Q) What did you think of the evolution of Napoleon?

 

A) Napoleons evolution brings humanity to the character. He starts off as this tough guy who has no morals or concerns and evolves into someone whom we see actually feels and fears and becomes more relatable to the audience

 

Q) What are the similarities and differences between you and the character?

 

A) Napoleon and I relate in that we sort of grew up in similar fashions. He comes from a life of gangs in a poor neighborhood surrounded by people that struggle with making a living. I too grew up in a similar neighborhood where all my friends and family lived well, but not well enough and the gangs were common and even within the family for me.

 

Q) Was there instant chemistry when you first started working with the cast?

 

A) Yes, of course. I remember the first week on set and a cast mate and myself were sitting next to each other sharing a bagel laughing at how absurdly much cream cheese they put on the bagel. There was never a bad day on set and that was greatly in part of the cast.

 

Q) What was it like getting to work on the film Logan?

 

A) Working on Logan just deepened my love for acting, but while on set it was just a fun time at work. It was surreal and couldn’t quite grasp the idea of where I was and what I was actually doing.

 

Q) During breaks in filming, did you get any advice from Sir Patrick Stewart or Hugh Jackman that you took to heart?

 

A) There wasn’t so much advice given as just sitting down and chatting with Hugh that took to me. Things that don’t seem real all of a sudden are real and part of your life.

 

Q) If you could have one mutant power, what would it be?

 

A) Telekinesis hands down. Can you imagine being able to do things with just your mind.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments form filming Logan?

 

A) I remember one scene where we were filming and I’m turned around talking and I hear a bang. I look and see the actor had just walked into an overhead lamp. Probably my favorite moment of filming.

 

Q) What words of advice do you wish someone had given you when you first began acting?

 

A) I wish someone had told me to have less fear. I wish there was a constant voice saying it to me so that it would have stuck.

 

Q) Which actor/actress would you most want to work with in the future?

 

A) Amy Adams, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Gary Oldman and Will Ferrell to name a few.

 

Q) What do you do in your spare time when you aren’t acting?

 

A) My father owns a store so in my spare time I help him out. Friends and family are key to a happy existence and, of course, I watch a lot of movies.