WSTalk Fall Winter 2023 - Flipbook - Page 17
gamut, in a variety of 昀椀lm and television genres ranging in: Sitcoms, action,
crime, drama, comedy, thriller, medical drama series, to name a few. How
important is it to be versatile as an actor?
Jessica: It’s important to be versatile
as an actor because it’ll open up more
opportunities for work. When I 昀椀rst
moved to Los Angeles and I was meeting with di昀昀erent agents, they’d always
ask me: “Do you do comedy or drama?”. I would always say “both”. They
were perplexed by my answer. They
told me I should stick to one genre. No
one should ever limit their talents. I
will say this, comedy is actually harder
to do than drama. Not every actor has
natural comedic timing or can 昀椀nd the
comedy and land the jokes in a script.
The saying goes, if an actor can do
comedy, then they can do drama. I 昀椀nd
pleasure in working across di昀昀erent
TV and 昀椀lm genres. It’s fun, never boring and continues to challenge me as
an actor.
Cassandra: What roles have you
played that you feel were scripted closely to Jessica’s true character, and
personality?
Jessica: My character in Kenan was
de昀椀nitely scripted closely to me. Even
though I never pledged a sorority, my
character Sheila was a fashionista like
myself and the leader of the pack.
Cassandra: It must be very exciting to strike a deal with a major on-demand streaming network like Roku
Tv, to launch your own channel and
produce a comedy show. Can you tell
us more about Julius Productions, and
your new comedy show on Roku Tv?
Jessica: I started my production
company Julius Pictures because I love
comedy and noticed the lack of projects
in Hollywood centered around funny
women. Julius Pictures is dedicated to
developing and producing the funniest female-driven comedies for TV and
昀椀lm. Caesar’s Special on ROKU TV is
a sketch comedy series that I created,
directed, produced, wrote, and starred
in. I play a 昀椀ctionalized version of myself, as a thereapy patient who uses
drma therapy to better my condition
and change my outlook on life.
Cassandra: What can the audience expect to see different from this comedic
TV show?
Jessica: This is the 昀椀rst time an audience will see me do sketch comedy. I
really 昀氀exed my comedic muscles and
I’m excited for everyone to see it.
Cassandra: How has your acting skills
contributed to your ability to write and
produce great content?
Jessica: My acting skills have contributed to my ability to create eclectic
characters and tell compelling stories.
When I’m writing, my goal is to showcase characters that defy stereotypes.
I aim to produce great content that is
original. Something you wouldn’t typically see every day on television.
Cassandra: There is a saying that the
best jokes in life are for real. Meaning,
the jokes are an undertone of what one
is truly thinking, expressed out loud that makes it so hilarious.
As a comedic writer do you feel that
most jokes are humorous because they
strike something in the perception of
the audience that’s real? Or is it all
about the artistry for you?
Jessica: Speaking in regard to my
writing style, my jokes are humorous
because the audience can relate to
them. A lot of my jokes are derived
from real life situations. Whether it
was a funny moment in time or painful
circumstances, I always 昀椀nd the light
and humor in everything.
Cassandra: What inspired you to
write comedy, and how do you de昀椀ne
funny?
Jessica: I was inspired to write comedy because I always found it to be fun
and exciting and it’s the best medicine.
My personal de昀椀nition of funny is
making one laugh or the ability to put
a smile on one’s face.
Cassandra: Hollywood productions,
talk shows, and variety shows have
been deeply a昀昀ected since the Writers
strike on May 2, 2023. Followed by the
Screen Actors Guild, how striked on
July 13, 2023. Can you explain how the
strike has a昀昀ected you as an actor, writer and producer?
Jessica: The SAG-AFTRA and WGA
strikes are against the AMPTP. During
the strike i was not allowed to work for
any studio, network, or streamer operating under an AMPTP contract. However, I was allowed to work on commercials and independent productions
that have been granted a SAG-AFTRA
Interim Agreement.
Cassandra: Following your dreams to
pursue a career in this incredible industry can be quite challenging. What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career as a model, actor, writer or
producer ?
Jessica: If your gut instinct is telling you to do something, don’t hesitate.
Follow your passion and your dreams,
and don’t allow people’s opinions to
in昀氀uence your decisions. Be con昀椀dent
and know that you are enough. Being
in the entertainment industry is a long
rollercoaster ride. You’ll experience
several highs and lows throughout your
career. You must continue working towards your goals every single day.
Cassandra: Name someone who you
admire and would love the opportunity
to work with (actor, director, or other),
and Why?
Jessica: I absolutely admire Halle
Berry and she is the primary reason
why I am acting today. She played so
many di昀昀erent roles throughout her
career that were not originally written
for a Black actress. I would love to act
in a movie with her, have her direct me
in a movie or both.
Cassandra: What do you enjoy doing
for leisure to relax, and take a break
from work?
Jesscia: For leisure, I enjoy working
out at the gym and hiking. To relax, I
do yoga and love playing with Rosco,
the family dog I adopted from the animal shelter 3 years ago.
Cassandra: Jessica, Thank You! We
appreciate you taking the time out to
share your journey with us.
Follow Jessica A. Caesar
IG: @jessicaacaesar
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