John Cassini – True Fiction

By starrymag | August 30, 2019

By: Dana Jacoviello

 

 

Q) Volition is a sci-fi thriller, which in your career you have done quite a bit of on and off. What is it about this genre that keeps you coming back to it?

A) I’m first and foremost attracted to the quality of the script. I enjoy working in all genres. Volition had a little bit of everything in it. A unique Sci-fi element, but also the grounded crime drama and thriller aspect.  I thought I created a multi genre that I really was excited about.

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

A) Well, working with Tony [Dean Smith] again, the script and the other actors involved. I also loved that Ray had a relationship with James (Adrian Glynn McMorran) that meant something to him. So even though he was a career criminal, and somebody who would do anything to survive, I liked that there was a father son relationship layered in with James. We talked a lot about keeping Ray away from the cliché bad guy and that attracted me. Not all of it made it into the cut of the film and that’s the way it goes sometimes, but I still think it’s in there somewhere, that care for James, played so beautifully by Adrian.

Q) Your brother also stars in this film. How was it working on the movie with him?

A) I love working with my big bro. We have been lucky enough to do it quite a bit, both on stage and off. Our process is very similar and we have a short hand.  He is such a terrific actor that it’s always a gift to share the screen or stage with him.

Q) Have you ever worked closely with him in the past?

A) Yes, many times, and we are planning on making a film together soon where we play brothers but under some serious crisis situations. It’s called The Dance.

Q) Volition has been doing very well on the festival circuit. What are you most proud of with this film?

A) I’m proud that we made it in Vancouver with local cast and crew and it is doing so well internationally. It means a lot to me to be part of sustaining our local industry and talent while also working in the larger US productions which I also love doing. I’m also very proud of the Smith Brothers for putting all this madness together and being received so well. I think the world of them both.

Q) As the busy man you are you also have a 2019 movie titled True Fiction, another thriller coming out. How was your character originally described to you?

A) Well, it wasn’t at first. I was sent the script and it was an offer and I was told to read it and give them an answer quite quickly if I was interested. I read it and right away knew it would be a heavy workload and challenge because it is basically a two-hander – myself and the wonderful Sara Garcia. Almost like a play. So, of course, I said yes. I guess if you have to describe him, I would say – Caleb Conrad is a famous horror novelist who has writers block and will go to any means to reclaim his inspiration and find his muse.

Q) What did you find challenging about your portrayal in this film?

A) I guess most challenging was the physicality of the role in the sense that I have to maintain a lot of injuries and be aware of how acute those injuries are in each scene as we shoot out of order and all the while gauging how much or little to experience of it.

Q) People often say the ensemble in a film is crucial. How was it working with both the casts on these two films?

A) The Volition cast is some of the best actors around and with True Fiction it was Sara and I, and she was incredible to work with. Such an amazing work ethic and ability. So, yeah, very lucky on both. And, of course, very important. Not just the talent, but they are all such great people. As I get older and been in this biz for a while, it’s important to me who I collaborate with. Life’s too short to work with assholes.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming True Fiction?

A) Mm… I guess the stuff that was the most heightened. I don’t want to provide any spoilers, but those scenes when Sara and I are in full survival mode and doing whatever we need to do to survive were exhausting but an absolute blast!

Q) Do you have a preference for taking on the role of the good guy or the bad guy?

A) I just like good roles, and what I mean by that is roles that have some complexity to them. Some layers. Conflict. Contradictions. Bad guys tend to have that more on the page if written well, and it’s also a lot more fun to justify bad deeds just from a fantasy aspect. Stuff you would never do in your real life.  Good guys as you say can be great as well, and they can be fun in creating an inner life that isn’t on the page that might help elevate that role from what can sometimes be written middle of the road. So yeah it comes down to how well the role is written, and what circumstances that character is in and having to navigate.

Q) As a seasoned actor, do you have any dreams of stepping behind the camera as a writer, producer or director?  

A) I have written (a feature film called Break a Leg with my brother Frank) and I also have a TV series in development I have been trying to get green lit for a few years now. I have also been producing a lot lately. I’m a firm believer in creating your own work and not always waiting to get hired. I have never been that actor who solely waited for permission to act. It probably comes from my theatre background, putting up plays, starting theatre companies, etc. You have a passion to tell stories, go tell them I say.

Q) What are the other recent projects you have been working on?

A) Funny you would ask about producing. I recently produced a film that I also play the lead role in that will be having its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival in the BC Spotlight section. A real honor.  It’s called Daughter and I am so proud of this film. I’m even more proud that it was a work that we developed out of Railtown Actors Studio, a studio that I co-founded with Kate Twa and presently am the Artistic Director and teacher at. The film is directed by Anthony Shim, one of our instructors at the studio, and a first-time writer/director. I think he will be a voice to watch in the future. Hope you get a chance to see the movie. Our premiere is October 5th! I am also supposed to be doing some episodes in the new Fox series “NeXT.”  I am in the pilot. So, fingers crossing there. Great people on that show, in front and behind the camera. The show is run by Manny Coto. (“Dexter”)

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

A) I’m always so grateful for your support. It truly means the world to me when others respond to what I’m doing. Makes me always want to be the best I can be. So, thank you, because your support is felt and it feels like we make the world a little smaller when we connect to one another these days in any way we can. And if some of that is through the work I am putting out, well, I feel ya and it’s appreciated!  Much love to you all.