Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Balais.
Jasmine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started with Panasonic Camcorder, my first video camera. I was 11 years young when I began shooting “short horror films” and directing my cousins as actors. They eventually lost motivation to continue doing the unpaid work. I always had a passion for acting and storytelling, which I didn’t recognize until after high school when I decided to travel Buenos Aries, Argentina and teach English abroad while I debated what I wanted to go to school for. During my journey there, I came across an Argentine Director who ran an on-camera acting seminar. I took my first acting class in Spanish, which is my second language, but Castellano Spanish is different from Mexican Spanish. I was raised in a Mexican household on the south side of Chicago. My father was white and my mother is Mexican. My parents separated when I was six and I was raised by my mom, her two sisters and my grandma.
I remember watching Spanish soap operas with my grandma and later playing pretend that I was in some dramatic “novela”. I played pretend a lot as single child when I didn’t have my cousins around. Creating imaginary characters and stories; slapping, kissing & arguing with my walls in Spanglish was how I kept myself entertained as a kid. But as a kid, I never recognized my hobbies as potential careers. I was a shy kid in school but a complete clown around family and close friends. I loved making my family laugh and acting goofy, especially since I was teased for being the only white girl in the family. My cousins would tell me that I was adopted and tease me for being different. I realized later that it was all from a place of love, which has shaped my sense of humor & character today.
After taking acting classes in Argentina, I realized how much I’ve always loved the arts. I came back to Houston, TX where I graduated high school and decided to take acting classes at H.C.C. (Houston Community College). I briefly moved back to Chicago in pursuit of studying Creative Writing at Columbia College Art school but I couldn’t last through the cold winters there anymore. I took classes at Acting Studio Chicago then moved back to Houston where I acted in my first Indie film, which was a cringing nightmare to watch. I realized I must write and create my own films instead of depending on the vision of others, it was time I trust my own vision.
It was the digital age of Vine and I was studying Film & TV Production at HCC (Spring Branch). After two years of film school, I decided to drop out and create my own content online. I started making short skits for Instagram and Facebook, meanwhile I was still auditioning for film & TV, working as a freelance Videographer and assistant Photographer. I read the book “Rebel Without A Crew” by Robert Rodriguez which also inspired me as independent filmmaker. I remember feeling so moved by his story that I put the book down to say a prayer and manifest the day I would meet Robert Rodriguez and work with him. I spoke it into existence and wrote it in my journal, “I will book work with Robert Rodriguez”.
Three years later, I got a call from my agent to come audition for Robert Rodriguez in Austin, TX. I was traveling Italy at the time for my birthday and canceled the rest of my trip to fly back to Texas, meet Robert and audition for him in person on my 27th birthday. He came across an old audition tape I did for The Queen Of The South and requested to have my audition for his film, Red 11. I have to thank Casting Director Beth Sepko for that connection. I had a callback audition for the principal role but Robert later decided to cast me as a cartel villain, which was still fun to play. Regardless of how small the role was, I was grateful just to be able to be a part of his work and witness my dream manifest. It was surreal attending the film premiere at SXSW and being able to introduce my mom to Robert in person. It was an incredible experience that continues to fuel me in my career path.
I moved to Los Angeles just three years ago to pursue film & acting. I’m still writing & creating my own comedy content online while submitting self-tapes for film & TV. It’s a constant hustle in this industry. Even after booking a role on a Rodriguez film, I was back in L.A. doing background work, Stand-in work and Production Assistant work on shows like Bless This Mess, Blackish & Grownish. I just love working on set no matter how small the job is, it gives me a chance to network for other job opportunities and study the art of filmmaking from all perspectives. Now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic a lot of production & acting work has slowed down, which is all the more reason to keep producing my own content online.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing good ever comes easy. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster since my first callback audition at 19, which was also my first #metoo experience. That was ten years ago back in Chicago. An Executive Producer offered me a few roles while asking what I was willing to give in return. I knew then that it wouldn’t the last time I’d have to politely decline such an insulting offer. It was a long walk back home from the train stop that day, I cried and asked myself if this was what I really wanted. Sometimes I still go through emotional trials and ask myself the same question but it’s the same answer every time; I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Staying consistent with content creating is another challenge in itself. You can’t depend on motivation to shoot and edit videos, you have to push yourself even when you don’t feel like it. It was the biggest struggle for me after going through another bad breakup last year and having to cope with a lot of emotional trauma while also finding the energy to keep creating. Toxic relationships & people can drain a lot of creative energy flow from you. I’m still learning to use all of that heartache as fuel for my writing and channel it into my work.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an actor/content creator/social media influencer. I write & produce my own comedy sketches and shorts. While many productions are still on hiatus due to our current pandemic, I’m currently focused on producing my own web series. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow my Facebook page for updates on new content!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I see luck more as fate. Good & bad circumstances or “luck” help shape our destiny. Unfortunate circumstances have forced me to be a problem solver. I spent days editing one video only to have my computer crash after hours of work that didn’t save. It wasn’t the first time my work was wiped out. Some can call it bad luck. Either way, I had to invest in a new laptop to speed up my workflow but I didn’t have the funds. Then a miracle happened and I was gifted a new laptop from a dear friend for my birthday this year. Some can say it’s good luck. I say God is good and people can be too.
The day I got called to audition for Robert Rodriguez could have been a chance of good luck, but I believe in the power of prayer and manifestation more than anything. As Lucius Annaeus Seneca said it, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/user/jas3godinez
- Email: jasmine.balais@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmine_balais/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasminejbalais/
- Other: imdb.me/jasminebalais
Image Credit:
Jack Opatrny
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