Q&A: The Interview with Jon Meggison
Today we recognize Actor Jon Meggison who is a rising star in the entertainment industry. Jon has been given great opportunities based in Seattle, WA to further his acting career. He has worked hard within the last 2 years, and recently signed to Eris Talent Agency. Next Media Source had an opportunity to sit down to talk with the Actor about his recent film project "A Haunting in Raven Wood" and learn more about him.
Q: When did you begin your career in Acting?
A: I started my acting career in January 2020 in the middle of the Pandemic. I started off making YouTube videos in my bathroom and self submitting them to Filmmakers in my area. I would do monologues and movie scenes. Anything really to get myself use to being on camera.
Q: What city do you currently reside in? And how competitive is the Acting industry there?
A: So I am currently in Seattle, WA. I’ve been to LA and have friends in other cities and just from what I have experienced and seen it’s not that competitive at all if I’m being truthful. Seattle is a great place for film but here people do it more for the fun compared to let's say New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, to where everyone is trying to go somewhere and do it at the highest level.
Q: How has the Acting industry impacted your life?
A: The acting industry has impacted my life in every positive way possible not just professionally but personally. Growing up as a kid I’ve never been able to travel because we couldn’t afford to. And now since I’ve been in this industry, I’ve been fortunate enough to do that. I’ve been to Florida where I did my first union project, Los Angeles where I did my first showcase, and later this year I’ll be traveling to New Jersey for a pilot that’s going to be on Amazon Prime video. This industry has opened many doors for me, allowing me to connect with others around the world and make friends from all over. I’m most grateful. It’s changed my outlook on life and showed me that I can do this and there is more to life than what it was before.
Q: What was the experience like signing with your new Talent Agency? Congratulations on your hard work!
A: That’s a really great question. 2 years ago when I was in Los Angeles I met Rebecca Ek from Eris Talent for possible representation. I went to this event called IMTA with my agents here in Seattle, (Seattle Talent) which is ran and owned by Hank Ritter. It’s an Actors Showcase where talent goes out to perform in front of the top agents, and managers from all over. And I had only been in the industry not even a month going to this; so at the time I had no idea what I was doing. But I knew I had to just do it and after the event she wanted to meet and we did. But she could obviously tell I didn’t know what I was doing. She told me I wasn’t ready yet. When I got back to Seattle, I started to really dig into my craft, you know learning the industry, discovering who I was as an actor, learning how to self-tape, and working with Seattle local Filmmakers to get myself on set. I was doing a lot of Short Films, Indie features, etc. Then 2 years later we reconnected and she signed me. From 2020 to 2022 I put in a lot of work and was able to work with a lot of great talent, along with big names in the industry. During the 2 years span I would send Rebecca emails every 3-5 months with no response back. And then, last week she sent me an email wanting to meet with me. We had the meeting and she ended up signing me in Los Angeles, New York and ATL. I would have to say my experience was great. I learned that what she told me wasn’t a “No” but just a "Not Right Now", so I did the work and now I’m here.
Q: What was the process like casting for your most recent Film Project?
A: My most recent project is "A Haunting in Raven Wood". You can stream it now on Amazon Prime Video. The process for that project was actually the easiest I’ve had. Fortunately, for myself here in the Seattle market I have made a lot of connections, built a resume, done a lot work, and built a reputation for my hard work that I put in everyday. The director actually contacted me directly and asked if I wanted the lead role in it. This was my first feature and first lead role, so I was definitely going to say yes. The casting process for it was pretty simple. He sent me the script, wanted me to read it, and if I liked it the part was mine. We have connected in the past and we’ve seen each other on a few sets, but never actually spoke. It’s funny because my very first project he was part of but we never met because of call times.
Q: Tell me about how you prepare for your roles once you are cast?
A: My preparation stays the same each time. I get a script and I’ll read it beginning to end 2-3 times. After that I’ll read it from my characters perspective and feel him out see what he’s about. Once I have an understanding of my character, then I’ll read it from the other characters point of view, and see what their connection is to him and how they feel about him. Once I have that done, then I start to break my character down and find our connections, where we relate and where we don’t; know just finding that balance. Then I live my life through his eyes from the 1st day we shoot, until the last day the director says "that’s a wrap".
Q: What do you love most about Acting?
A: The one thing I love the most about this industry is the feeling it gives me. I get this adrenaline every time I'm on set. I love how I can just be in the moment and being free. There’s no right or wrong, allowing me to explore my creativity and discovering things about myself I never knew, and making choices and decisions while working with different actors and actresses. I never experienced a feeling like this until I got in this industry.
Q: Who is your inspiration and why?
A: My inspiration has always been my mother. I grew up in a single parent household. My mom raised me and my 2 sisters by herself sacrificing everything. She showed me what hard work looks like and to never give up no matter what. She showed me what the hustle and grind looks like. When things get hard, I just look back at what my mom did for us, and remember it really isn’t compared to what she had to go through for us.
Q: When you're not Acting in Film Projects, what do you enjoy in your free time?
A: When I am not acting, my free time consists of being with my 3 boys at home, searching for new projects or hanging out my family.
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