Posted by eliza gale on March 21, 2012 - 10:24pm
Cassie Jordan is an actress who stars in the short film "Drained", with John Heder. Here is a link to her website:
http://www.reelaccess.com/talent/cassiejordan/
1. Why do you think so many people want to be in show business?
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I can make a "guesstimation". I don't think people want to be in show business very long because it is hard work and you are never off work. You are always networking, meeting people, working on your reel, auditioning, etc. People want to be famous because they see all the attention, money and trips that people get on reality shows. What they don't realize is that kind of fame is fleeting and a facade.
If you ask me why I am in show business, it is because I don't really know how to do anything else or really want to. I've been acting since I was six-years-old and my first play ever wasFree To Be You and Me and I was hooked. I used to write plays and musicals and make my poor sister, Jennifer, act them out with me. I always compare acting to medical school--it takes years of hard work and the ones who can't hack it quit, but the ones who have that fire in their belly won't quit because once they make someone laugh or cry, they want to do nothing else--at least that's why I'm still an actor.
2. What is "Drained" about ?
"Drained" is a short film told with live action and animation about how a man's addictions can destroy the woman he loves. There is no dialog so the story is told through our movements and body language. The creators, Nick Peterson and Jon Heder, had a great vision and I was honored to be a part of it. Here is a link for the film:
www.drainedtheshort.com
3. What role do you play in the film?
I play one of the five woman who all play the wife of the addicted man.
4. How did you get the part?
First I sent body stats to Nick. He called me and explained the concept and explained how I was what he wanted for the part. After I said "yes", there was a screen test to see if I could portray his vision with my attitude and body movements. There was also a makeup test. I spent an afternoon with 2 lovely ladies who tried various concoctions of latex and other secret ingredients to get the desired rotten look. It had to be organic and last because I was covered head to toe with the exception of a thong and nipple covers. I was very nervous about the part, but when I'm scared to do something, I have to face my fear and go through it.
5. What do you like about Hollywood?
I like being able to work in a town that has so many creative outlets--independent films, plays, webisodes, hosting, standup, television, movies. I like the weather except for the deadly summer heat and the 405 traffic! Also I like the history and mystery of Hollywood because there's always more to discover and learn.
6. What don't you like about it?
I don't like that women are still sometimes treated as second-class in Hollywood. I don't like how Reality TV has taken the place of real scripted shows. The networks make them because they don't have to pay script writers and actors. They are made cheaply and prostitute a great many people's weaknesses. Viewers of these shows are similar to those who watch car races--they want to see the crashes and "bloody aftermath" and so can feel good about themselves and their lives. There is a German word for this--Schadenfreude which means a "malicious satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others". However, in truth, they would sell their soul for a little taste of fame. Example: I was a guest on a talk show and they had a former member of Jersey Shore on. He refused to go back to his old job, lived in his Mother's basement and did nothing but drugs and tried to get back on the show--he could not handle not having that fame that he got from the show. Another former reality show star murdered his girlfriend and killed himself because he couldn't handle not having that spot light.
7. I watched your reel and it seemed to me that a lot of the roles you've had have centered around your weight. How has your appearance helped you?
I have played parts that have dealt with my weight, but I only accepted them if they were shown in a positive light. The Best Low Budget and Cleo award winning commercial that I did used my weight as a sight gag but,
I got the last laugh by destroying the copier with my shoe. And who doesn't want Michael Clarke Duncan lusting after my "thick juicy behind."
I have also played parts that had absolutely nothing to do with my weight. I just was the most talented and best for the part. As for the parts that did concern my weight, there were dozens of women both bigger and smaller than me, but I got the part because I was professional, prepared and talented.
8. How has it hindered you?.
My weight has only hindered me because I get judged first at face value, just like any Hispanic actress like Jennifer Lopez and African American Actor Octavia Spenser or Curvy ladies like Adele, Sofia Vergara, Christine Hendricks, Melissa McCarthy or me. Once we get in the room and are given a chance to show our stuff and shine that bright light of talent that lives in each of us, what we look like doesn't matter.. Octavia Spenser is African American and curvy. The part of Minnie in "The Help" was written for a curvy and African American actor, but she won the part and the Oscar because of her talent and not because of her size or color.And as more of us of color and size keep breaking stereotypes of what is is sexy and funny,talented and smart, the more Hollywood will realize that there is money and art to be made with us. Bridesmaids for Example Two Oscar nominations-- not too shabby.
9.Who are some of your acting idols?
Some of my idols are Roslind Russell, Dorothy Dandridge,Helen Merrim,Marie Dressler,Jean Harlow,Elizabeth Taylor, Cloris Leachman, Ellen Bursten,Julie Andrews, Dawn French, Delta Burke, and Jessica Lange.
They are women who are and were always on top of their game- always funny and beautiful at any age and never apologizing for who they are.
10. What famous film or stage role could you nail?
"Clara Varner" in The Long Hot Summer, originally played by Joanne Woodward and reprised by Judith Ivey. Clara is the rich, spinster daughter of the richest man in town who basically promises her to the new stud in town, Ben Quick, who was played by Paul Newman and Don Johnson. The Patriarch wants to get some strong blood into his grandchildren, but Clara never does bend to Ben or her father and in the end, she gets her way with both.
Please note; Eliza's interviews are done by email. All answers are unedited and come right from the lovely fingertips of her subjects:)
http://www.reelaccess.com/talent/cassiejordan/
1. Why do you think so many people want to be in show business?
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I can make a "guesstimation". I don't think people want to be in show business very long because it is hard work and you are never off work. You are always networking, meeting people, working on your reel, auditioning, etc. People want to be famous because they see all the attention, money and trips that people get on reality shows. What they don't realize is that kind of fame is fleeting and a facade.
If you ask me why I am in show business, it is because I don't really know how to do anything else or really want to. I've been acting since I was six-years-old and my first play ever wasFree To Be You and Me and I was hooked. I used to write plays and musicals and make my poor sister, Jennifer, act them out with me. I always compare acting to medical school--it takes years of hard work and the ones who can't hack it quit, but the ones who have that fire in their belly won't quit because once they make someone laugh or cry, they want to do nothing else--at least that's why I'm still an actor.
2. What is "Drained" about ?
"Drained" is a short film told with live action and animation about how a man's addictions can destroy the woman he loves. There is no dialog so the story is told through our movements and body language. The creators, Nick Peterson and Jon Heder, had a great vision and I was honored to be a part of it. Here is a link for the film:
www.drainedtheshort.com
3. What role do you play in the film?
I play one of the five woman who all play the wife of the addicted man.
4. How did you get the part?
First I sent body stats to Nick. He called me and explained the concept and explained how I was what he wanted for the part. After I said "yes", there was a screen test to see if I could portray his vision with my attitude and body movements. There was also a makeup test. I spent an afternoon with 2 lovely ladies who tried various concoctions of latex and other secret ingredients to get the desired rotten look. It had to be organic and last because I was covered head to toe with the exception of a thong and nipple covers. I was very nervous about the part, but when I'm scared to do something, I have to face my fear and go through it.
5. What do you like about Hollywood?
I like being able to work in a town that has so many creative outlets--independent films, plays, webisodes, hosting, standup, television, movies. I like the weather except for the deadly summer heat and the 405 traffic! Also I like the history and mystery of Hollywood because there's always more to discover and learn.
6. What don't you like about it?
I don't like that women are still sometimes treated as second-class in Hollywood. I don't like how Reality TV has taken the place of real scripted shows. The networks make them because they don't have to pay script writers and actors. They are made cheaply and prostitute a great many people's weaknesses. Viewers of these shows are similar to those who watch car races--they want to see the crashes and "bloody aftermath" and so can feel good about themselves and their lives. There is a German word for this--Schadenfreude which means a "malicious satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others". However, in truth, they would sell their soul for a little taste of fame. Example: I was a guest on a talk show and they had a former member of Jersey Shore on. He refused to go back to his old job, lived in his Mother's basement and did nothing but drugs and tried to get back on the show--he could not handle not having that fame that he got from the show. Another former reality show star murdered his girlfriend and killed himself because he couldn't handle not having that spot light.
7. I watched your reel and it seemed to me that a lot of the roles you've had have centered around your weight. How has your appearance helped you?
I have played parts that have dealt with my weight, but I only accepted them if they were shown in a positive light. The Best Low Budget and Cleo award winning commercial that I did used my weight as a sight gag but,
I got the last laugh by destroying the copier with my shoe. And who doesn't want Michael Clarke Duncan lusting after my "thick juicy behind."
I have also played parts that had absolutely nothing to do with my weight. I just was the most talented and best for the part. As for the parts that did concern my weight, there were dozens of women both bigger and smaller than me, but I got the part because I was professional, prepared and talented.
8. How has it hindered you?.
My weight has only hindered me because I get judged first at face value, just like any Hispanic actress like Jennifer Lopez and African American Actor Octavia Spenser or Curvy ladies like Adele, Sofia Vergara, Christine Hendricks, Melissa McCarthy or me. Once we get in the room and are given a chance to show our stuff and shine that bright light of talent that lives in each of us, what we look like doesn't matter.. Octavia Spenser is African American and curvy. The part of Minnie in "The Help" was written for a curvy and African American actor, but she won the part and the Oscar because of her talent and not because of her size or color.And as more of us of color and size keep breaking stereotypes of what is is sexy and funny,talented and smart, the more Hollywood will realize that there is money and art to be made with us. Bridesmaids for Example Two Oscar nominations-- not too shabby.
9.Who are some of your acting idols?
Some of my idols are Roslind Russell, Dorothy Dandridge,Helen Merrim,Marie Dressler,Jean Harlow,Elizabeth Taylor, Cloris Leachman, Ellen Bursten,Julie Andrews, Dawn French, Delta Burke, and Jessica Lange.
They are women who are and were always on top of their game- always funny and beautiful at any age and never apologizing for who they are.
10. What famous film or stage role could you nail?
"Clara Varner" in The Long Hot Summer, originally played by Joanne Woodward and reprised by Judith Ivey. Clara is the rich, spinster daughter of the richest man in town who basically promises her to the new stud in town, Ben Quick, who was played by Paul Newman and Don Johnson. The Patriarch wants to get some strong blood into his grandchildren, but Clara never does bend to Ben or her father and in the end, she gets her way with both.
Please note; Eliza's interviews are done by email. All answers are unedited and come right from the lovely fingertips of her subjects:)
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