Today we’d like to introduce you to Jana Tombu.
Hi Jana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve started acting when I was eight years old, in school plays. I’ve also studied at music and art schools, so my childhood was really full of creative activities. However, I wasn’t even thinking about pursuing acting or any other form of arts as a profession until my final years of high school. But then my parents got quite firm about not letting me do that, and after several weeks of heated arguments, we’ve come to a sort of consensus: I get a bachelor’s degree in law, which they believe is a way to “real profession”, and then I am free to pursue any career that I’d like to. So, I’ve ended up at law school but I’ve been spending all my time free from lectures on going to auditions, acting in youth theater and short films, and singing. When I graduated, I’ve tried my best to find a day job that’s flexible enough to not interfere with my acting aspirations, and continued to act in short films and fringe theater.
However, after some time I felt that I was stuck. All these low-budget short films and youth theater plays seemed exciting when I was just a student – a law student – with zero expectations in artistic field. It was interesting, it was fun, and it was a great change of scenery, especially after lectures on subjects like land law or equity and trusts. But after I’ve graduated, I started to want more. I wanted to start getting auditions for truly interesting parts in bigger and more professional projects, and I wanted to see that I’m actually moving forward. But alas, same as millions of other aspiring actors, I’ve faced with tough reality of this industry: you can’t really get into big projects’ audition rooms until you get an agent, and you can’t really get an agent until you get some credits in big projects, and there is just no specific “right” way to brake this circle. Besides, even though most of my day jobs were quite flexible, they still took most of my time, which is not particularly helpful when you try to build another career that requires super-human efforts. But the moment when I’ve started considering dropping out, I’ve been auditioned for an LA-based acting program called Hollywood Immersive, I’ve been accepted, and then I came to the US for the first time in my life, where I’ve had a chance to attend acting school that, in my opinion, is the best one in the world – the Beverly Hills Playhouse. That immersive program only lasted for about a week or so, but it was literally a life-changing experience. The teachers at the BHP are extraordinary inspiring; they make students break their own boundaries and create a true art on stage. The approach made a huge impression on me: I think we’ve talked about human psychology more than specifically about “stage acting”, and I’d say, the acting techniques taught at this school are mostly about human psychology – why people do what they do, and feel how they feel, which makes so much sense, and always works out so beautifully on stage. Then I decided that I must find a way to come back to LA and study at this school, not just for a week, but for as long as my visa allows. It wasn’t easy, it took about two years to do that, but I did move to LA for six months and got an invaluable chance to become a full-fledged student at the BHP. The only problem: it was the beginning of 2020, and it hasn’t been even a month since I came when the lockdown started and the school was closed.
At first, I thought that this is it, I’ll just get back home as soon as the flights will resume and will have to put acting aside – at least till the end of the pandemic. But then our teachers decided to resume classes on zoom, which, of course, couldn’t replace live classes but helped students to keep working on their acting craft, and stay inspired and sane during the worst phase of the quarantine. And then we were encouraged to use the time we’ve got to come up with our own projects, which was another pivot in my career, as I’ve realized: here is the way to break this “no big roles = no agent = no big roles” circle. Instead of just waiting for opportunities to prove that you’re worth something to a casting director or an agent, which might come, or might not, you can create your own project and show what you are really capable of as an actor without a need to get someone’s approval first. So, I’ve started writing a script, found people who were interested in taking part, and we were about to start filming when riots and curfews happened, and then there was another bunch of troubles, so, the moment we were able to resume shooting, I had to go back to my home country to not exceed the time that my type of visa allows to stay for. Soon after I went back home, there was a new wave of pandemic, so it became impossible to come back to the US as soon as I hoped to. That was really hard and discouraging, but I decided that I can’t give up yet, and I wrote another script, found another group of actors and crew members back home, and we did it! It took almost a year, but we’ve shot this film, which is currently on the last stages of post-production, and I guess that’s the biggest accomplishment in my life so far. Well, and now I am back to LA and back to the BHP, working on turning that first “quarantine” script into a film, rehearsing a new scene for class, and being in love with acting even more than ever.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has never been a smooth road. In fact, sometimes it seems that all it consists of are obstacles, challenges, and struggles. But that’s what’s happening with the vast majority of people who dare to pursue careers that they are really passionate about. I believe that the moments when I get a chance to act and manage to do well on stage or on set certainly worth all the hard work and all the struggle. I might had way less problems if I went to a legal firm after getting my degree, but then I’d never know what it’s like when your job inspires you, makes you happy, and makes you want to get up in the morning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
So far, I’ve mostly acted in short films and fringe theater plays. My first acting work that I’m really proud of is the film called “Sparrow Hills”, which is currently in post-production. At present, I’m working on the film called “The Quarantine” – I wrote its script when being locked down in 2020, and now I can’t wait to bring this story to life.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like that there are so many opportunities for people of creative professions. What is nearly impossible in many other cities is doable here. It might be extremely hard, but it’s possible, and having even theoretical opportunity to achieve something is a source of invaluable inspiration. I love the Beverly Hills Playhouse and its community, consisting of extraordinary fantastic people. And local beaches, oceanside, and parks are gorgeous.
What I don’t like is serious problems with public transport, lots of trash left on some streets, and popular local habit to smoke weed everywhere.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jana_tombu/
