We recently had the chance to connect with Eric St. John and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Eric, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I just finished filming a thriller movie titled “The Boat”, which is currently in post production. I find there is a kind of “let down” period that I go through after completing a movie. It’s not quite depression but it’s more like a kind of sadness maybe or just low energy, I think because as actors we put so much energy, time and focus into our work and we so thoroughly enjoy it, that when the job ends it is just kind of a bummer not go to work and do the work we love so much, and there is also a period of adjustment to get centered and grounded again. So that’s what I’m focusing on…staying grounded and centered and working on the next project. I am working on two upcoming projects as a producer and actor. The producing end requires a lot of phone calls and meetings, both in person and on zoom / google meet etc.…most days I’m on the phone at least 3 hours and sometimes up to 6 or even 8 hours. I don’t really like talking on the phone, but it is necessary to get things accomplished especially working with team members that are all over the world in different times zones. So to create balance in my life daily, I like to ride my Harley’s and go to the gym…training and riding are things I like to do daily to stay grounded and centered.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Eric St. John, actor/producer. I’m currently wrapping on a thriller feature film titled “The Boat” by writer/director Keith Parmer. I’m also producing two feature films that are in pre-production. One is an international project that will film in Thailand and Saipan and the other is a road trip film that will start in the Midwest and end up in Southern California.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother and father saw me clearly before I could see myself. They encouraged me to follow my interests and allowed me the time and space to explore my passions, without judgment, and really let me find my own way growing up, always with love and they served as a great example of how to treat others, with a great work ethic, and they were both very present in my life, and my sisters life. I feel very blessed to have my family and my parents were both very instrumental in shaping my character..
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering and success, I believe, are two sides of the same coin. I don’t think there is really any success without some form of suffering. It’s in the suffering that we are forced to look within, go deeper, look at things more closely and possibly from a new perspective…and suffering seems to be the root of true growth. Suffering is a natural part of life, everyone goes through some form of suffering throughout their life, and while it is most definitely not comfortable, there is always some good that comes through our suffering if we can just hang on and keep going until we reach the other side of it. And I also try to always keep in mind while I am going through a phase of suffering, that it won’t last forever, and the same can be said of success, both suffering and success are fleeting, passing moments. In this way I try to not get overly excited at any one success I have or too upset or down during a moment of suffering…because they are both just momentary, and life goes on. The key is to remain present and accepting during moments of suffering….which is of course easier said than done.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question. Marlon Brando said, and I’m paraphrasing here, he said that everyone is an actor, that we all act just to survive and get through our day, and through our lives…we act a certain way with our boss at work and a certain way with our parents and family, and another way with our friends and lovers, and so on. I think there is truth to that, and it is partially instinctual and partially learned through our experiences growing up from childhood to adulthood, So I would say that the public version of me is the real me, in public situations…however one of the things I appreciate most about acting is that it allows for the full, true, pure, unadulterated expression of the “real” me in a safe environment, under imaginary circumstances, without real life consequences. I find it very liberating and freeing and sometimes cathartic to be able to express myself fully through a role, To fully express oneself, honestly and truthfully is one of the true gifts of the craft of acting and the business of acting because it is one of the only times in life that a person can actually do that,.to.fully express oneself honestly and truthfully without any real life consequences.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My greatest hope is that people will remember me as a good man, as someone who genuinely cared about others, and as someone who made a difference on this earth to others and to the world. That is a tall order, because I also understand that 100 years from now most of us will simply be forgotten, but to those that know me, my greatest hope is that they will think of me as someone who made a positive impact and added value to their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0089340/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericstjohnofficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-st-john-a8864b12
- Other: ESJ Ventures Company Website – https://esjventures.com
Image Credits
Kenneth Dolin
Kobi Gulianni
