JAIMEE PEASLEY
Jaimee Peasley is an actor from Perth, but currently based in Sydney. She scored her first role at 3 years old when she was cast in a Salvation Army TVC. More recently she is known for playing the role of “Olivia”, in the feature film Pulse directed by Stevie Cruz-Martin as well as “Grace” in Pale Date. She also had a small role in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
Jaimee is the creator and co-host of the ‘Hollywood Halt’ podcast. The podcast features incredibly insightful discussions with notable industry professionals about the effect of COVID-19 to the the acting and entertainment industry. Some of the interviewees featured include Casting Director Daisy Hicks, Hollywood Reporter writer Dean McCarthy and actor Daniel Monks.
Get to know Jaimee in our Q&A below!
LINKS:
Hollywood Halt Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hollywood-halt/id1505275598?i=1000473343819&fbclid=IwAR1IdwP9qCe0oGIR3FslTRmRDAuz4ljRiNE2JvjoQ7Wjse8aKp9e298cFBA
Showreel: https://vimeo.com/373044935
Pulse Trailer: https://vimeo.com/161271274
Q&A
1. How have you been keeping up with your acting during Iso?
I work as a part-time Journalist to support my acting career, but I lost my job(s) 8 weeks ago. I felt very lost for the first week (I think a few sneaky jars of Nutella were eaten haha). But I began to realise I finally had time to really focus on my acting again! I set up a little self test studio and started putting down some tapes every week, getting my acting friends to read over Skype. I’ve been doing US accent lessons over zoom, and then actually doing the exercises! I’ve been taking advantage of all the zoom Q & A’s with Casting Directors and talented actors on offer the moment.
I also played around with an idea I had for short film, and I have now nearly finished writing a web series.
But I found I didn’t really feel personally connected to the industry while in isolation. My husband works in radio and he helped me put together a podcast called Hollywood Halt to do just that! We’ve been chatting to other people in the entertainment industry about their experience with COVID-19, and how they’ve handled the change. Some of the guests so far include actor Daniel Macpherson, Casting Director Daisy Hicks and AAFTA LA Director Jess Orcsik. When first I started it, I thought it would be wonderful to reach just one lonely actor or writer or director during this crazy time, but I have been blown away by the response!
It's also really important to me to talk about the fact that it’s ok to not be ok in isolation, and it’s ok to not feel motivated. And we discuss this on the Podcast. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of days where I don’t feel like getting out of my PJ’s...and I’m trying to be kind to myself!
2. Who's your biggest motivator?
I am my biggest motivator! I know that this down time in lockdown may never come again, so I am trying to make the most of this time and learn as much as I can. My wonderful Agent Victoria Jackson has been amazing with commutation about industry updates, and our team work makes me feel motivated. I also have to give a shout out to my Husband Daniel. It’s been a lot of fun hosting Hollywood Halt with him!
3. What's the best advice you've received?
Acting is like a muscle and it requires constant learning and maintenance work to be in shape and audition ready. Get in front of that camera as much as possible and keep up the training. Even if it’s a drop in class every second week, just don’t stop working. Don’t let Covid stop you! There are so many classes on zoom. Have achievements outside of acting, not just for financial reasons but also for your mental health. And don’t ever forget to enjoy it! Acting is so much fun!
4. Where do you draw inspiration from?
Everyone and everything. I have dabbled in everything from law, to psychology, to radio and TV journalism. The only thing that has remained consistent is acting, friends and family. I am an extremely inquisitive person, and I am so interested in the world around me, history and the people I meet. Everyone has an incredible story to tell. I love learning!
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