Thomas Q. Jones – A Violent Man

By starrymag | February 8, 2019

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I am currently working on a TV series called “Tales,” which is owned by Viacom. I also have a TV series and another feature film in pre-production.

 

Q) We recently saw you in A Violent Man. What made you want to be a part of the film?

 

A) When I read the script, I really felt like this was a perfect role for me to take on at this point in my career. It gave me a chance to show my versatility as an actor because the lead character demands a lot of complex layers. It was also an opportunity to work with the writer and director Matthew Berkowitz.

 

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

 

A) Ty was described as an over the hill MMA fighter who was relegated to training the fighters that frequented his gym. But he’s a very complex person with some secrets you wouldn’t expect.

 

Q) What kind of research did you do into MMA fighting for the role?

 

A) I trained with John Lewis (world renowned MMA fighter and trainer) for three months prior to filming. It was a great learning experience because MMA is a very specific sport and in order to make the fight scenes look real, I had to really be comfortable in the octagon.

 

Q) As a former football player, how did you alter your training and gym routine to get into MMA fighting shape?

 

A) Actually, I didn’t change anything. Football is a very intense contact sport as well, so I think having that physical reference made the MMA fighting aspect of the film easier.

 

Q) What did you find most challenging about your portrayal?

 

A) I found having to play good and evil the most challenging. Ty is a very conflicted character and my natural instincts were to make the right decisions, but I had to make sure Ty wasn’t squeaky clean. I had to be really focused on playing the relationships with the other actors as opposed to playing the plot.

 

Q) Talk about working with costar Chuck Liddell.

 

A) Working with Chuck was incredible. He’s one of the humblest people you will ever meet. We had great chemistry from the time we met. I would say we’re both gentle giants outside of the football field or octagon but savages when the lights come on!

 

Q) What advice did director Matthew Berkowitz offer that you took to heart while shooting?

 

A) Matt and I became best friends over this whole process. As a director he knew exactly how he wanted his shots to look and what performances he was looking for before we even stepped on set. He gave me the freedom to really find out who my character was at his core by telling me to be as honest as possible in my performance and it definitely showed.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moment from filming the movie?

 

A) I think the whole process was life changing. I played in the NFL for twelve years and now, all of a sudden, I’m on set of my own film that I’m producing and starring in? I will always remember and truly appreciate everyone who was a part of this.

 

Q) Is there anyone from the film that you didn’t get to work with that you’d have liked to have shared a scene?

 

A) Actually, I pretty much worked with everyone in some capacity. It was a heavy workload but that’s the direction I want my career to go. Being the leading man in every project I work on.

 

Q) What did you personally take away from your time filming A Violent Man?

 

A) I took away you can really and truly do anything you put your mind too. I never had aspirations of being in Hollywood and now I have an incredible film with a phenomenal cast and director attached that will be in theaters. Believe and achieve is the motto.

 

Q) Fans know you as a former football player for a number of incredible teams. How did you get into acting? 

 

A) I started acting in a small tv pilot and the publicist for the show saw me and thought I had some raw talent and was adamant about me pursuing a career in acting. I took her up on it and here I am.

 

Q) As a former New York Jets team member, what can the Jets do to turn around the team?

 

A) I think they need to really upgrade their coaching staff and bring in some quality veterans for leadership in the locker room.

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite projects to work on?

 

A) I really enjoyed working on “Being Mary Jane” with Gabrielle Union and “Luke Cage” with Alfre Woodard and Theo Rossi. They are incredible actors that gave me a lot of inspiration and confidence.

 

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

 

A) I would like to say to every fan and supporter of my work your love and support means everything to me. I have truly found a love for acting and producing and being able to evoke emotion from a viewer as an actor or in the confident is the equivalent of scoring a touchdown. Stay tuned because this is only the beginning!