Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Yachanin.
Hi Jason, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story… Let’s see… I began acting in high school (Brunswick High School.) Earning a BA in Acting, I attended Baldwin Wallace University. Upon graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue acting and have been lucky enough to work professionally in theatre, film, and television. I am also currently in the process of writing a supernatural mystery trilogy as well. Book One is available on Amazon as a paperback, or as an e-book, and Book Two is slated to come out in the next coming months. The first book is called: The Mysterious Happenings at 2 Morningview and Book 2 is called: The Mysterious Happenings on Hyde Avenue.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Ha Ha Ha! Absolutely not! I have had so many ups and downs, rejections, projects that never took off, auditions that I felt like I nailed that I never got, and so many different survival jobs that I’ve lost count. My favorite example of one of the hardships was actually getting a phone call offering me a role for a project, and then the person who had called realizing that they had called the wrong person and then taking the role back.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional actor, first-time published author, and small business owner. I suppose I am best known for two horror films that have an underground cult-like following: V/H/S and Poultrygeist.
I think my proudest moment so far has been the writing of my two books. (With one more to go to complete the trilogy!) Growing up, I wasn’t the best student out there. I REALLY had to study to get decent grades and I HATED reading. In fact, the only books I ever wanted to read were the “Goosebumps” series. I recently had a reviewer of my book say that it was like reading “Goosebumps, but for adults.” That made my day! If not my whole year:-)
I mentioned that my wife and I were small business owners and we started a boutique fitness studio that we built from the ground up. I currently teach the trampoline classes and have found fitness to be one of the greatest stress relievers available. Follow us: @perspirology
I don’t know if there is anything that really sets me apart from others, but I have been pursuing acting since 2003 and our studio has been opened since 2014. I have yet to officially “throw in the towel” on either of these ventures, even though both of these professions can be extremely unpredictable. So, if I really think about it, maybe it’s my tenacity that sets me apart…
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’m not sure about finding a mentor, but more and more I have realized the importance of trying not to burn any bridges – no matter what line of work you are in. That being said, I think in the world of entertainment, I think it’s important to stay humble and treat everyone professionally. The person who went and got you a coffee during one of your breaks could be a major director one day. If you treated that person like a piece of s&&&, guess who isn’t going to use you in their summer blockbuster!?!
Contact Info:
- Website: jyachanin.wixsite.com/actor
- Instagram: @jasonyachanin23
Image Credits
Andrew Kluger
