Today we’d like to introduce you to Jono Cota.
Jono, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I found joy in giving laughter to my family and friends as I would re-enact skits from my favorite movies and TV shows. My admiration for “performing” for my loved ones encouraged me to hone my passion for acting. When I was five, I used to hide and watch the 80’s cult classic film, “Breakin” as my older sisters were watching it in the living room. I wanted to be better than Turbo & O-Zone and would practice the moves in my front yard. I’ve always love Hip-Hop: their beats, choreography and passionate lyrics.
My first love was playing baseball with a family who was engulfed in ASA traveling softball. My father, Raul Cota, was one of the head coaches for the Madera Vipers and my mother Debra Cota was a manager. My three sisters, Crystal, Starla and Kathy, All played on teams. I would help my parents out with practice drills and learn from watching talented ladies like A League of Their Own. I was always on the road with them and saw many things that helped me mold myself to the person that I am today. My sports life had been put to halt after I felt the joy of performing live theatre in high school. Just like the crowd in sports, live theatre gave me an adrenaline rush with every performance. It was always exciting. I’d find myself daydreaming about having a chance to perform as equals to my favorite stars, like John Tuturro and Justin Timberlake.
Graduating from high school, I took the chance and applied to CSU Fresno to their Theater Arts Program. Studying at CSU Fresno opened my eyes to a higher level of acting as a craft and possible career. Fresno State is usually known for its softball, football, and other various athletic teams but their Arts Program was ranked high as well. The opportunities I was given in college helped me cultivate and improve my craft. The advancements I made during my time at CSU Fresno gave me the confidence I needed to take my career to the next level.
Lost in the big city of Hollywood, I was baffled of where to start my career. I was able to join a casting network for extra background actors where I worked as an extra for about a year. I worked on the remake of Fame because of my saxophone skills, thank you mom and dad. I also got to work on Speed-Dating, Click and a few episodes on Greek. My extra work really helped me understand camera angles and techniques on positioning myself from watching the actors. I was able to join a local theatre company, Theatre 68. My friend from college James Maderios was already apart of the company and he helped me build my craft in college. So he put in a good word and recommended me to Theatre 68. Joining this company led to a better understanding of the industry. Working alongside Ronnie Marmo really allowed me to gain access to my acting abilities and prosper in my acting game.
As soon as I’d found out the benefits of an acting reel, I went online and submitted to anything and everything that looked like it was in my acting range or character look. I didn’t have an agent or manager at the time so, I was submitting myself to hundreds of online casting calls. Within that year, I was able to get more than enough footage to start a film reel. I worked on a lot of grad student productions such as the feature KILLING ANIMALS written by James Franco and directed by Steven Huffaker. The experience I received was a huge game-changer. Not only did I book the part, I got to go head to head with James Franco in an entirely improvised scene. I remember thinking this is pretty exhilarating.
Just a short while after gathering footage, my friend James Maderios gave me a shot at performing in his brand-new play he’d just written. Having worked with him before I knew most definitely this play had potential. In the span of literally two weeks, we were able to create and perform the most serendipitous production I had the pleasure of working on. This play had it all, dancing, UFC fight choreography, and a solid story. It was through this production that I was able to sign with my manager Oliver Carnay and International Artist PR & Talent. After signing with International Artist my manager helped me find and connect with Mariko Ballentine and MINC talent agency.
The whole next year after signing with my representation, I was starting to go out for auditions. Looking back now, it feels like a blur. I joined the SAG union after booking a few low budget films. I was blessed with a little luck and was allowed to work with Jim Parsons on a BMX Intel computer commercial. I grew up riding BMX style bikes in my back yard, so I think that background helped with booking it.
A few weeks later, I was fortunate to book the hit cable show Colony. This was my first network booking. Again my past childhood hobby like skateboarding helped me book it. I was noticing that things I could do in real life could also help me get more opportunities. So, I kept break dancing. The skill that started out as a fun hobby actually led to one of my biggest commercials yet. NFL and Pepsi’s camp halftime commercial was the kind of opportunity I used to daydream about as a high school kid practicing my backflips during lunch recess. Working alongside with Donald Fasion was breathtaking. At first, it was shocking because this is someone I used to watch in some of my favorite shows and movies. Now I’m here break dancing for this person. What?!?
Has it been a smooth road?
The journey, though exciting, has not been smooth or easy. Not having any sort of formula to replicate to get through the industry makes it difficult to get by. There are a lot of obstacles along the way, but I believe that the struggle and challenge make the journey worthwhile. One obstacle is conditioning yourself to move on after you realize you didn’t book something. Teaching oneself that failure isn’t always a bad thing is key to fulfilling one’s dreams. There is a lot to learn in not getting what you want; it humbles you. As an actor, one of the hardest things, for me at least, is the lack of time. If you’re someone who auditions frequently, you’re going to probably be late to work more times than not. So finding a job that works with my auditioning conditions was important. I worked a lot of night jobs but had no sleep due to an active day. Organizing your time can be crucial and if you don’t get enough rest, sleep deprivation can take its toll. Giving up isn’t an option for me. Staying motivated and focusing can be hard to do but I found that surrounding yourself with enthusiastic and motivating people could be up-lifting.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I always wanted to be the superhero or prince charming, when I was a kid I would always play make-believe and become Super Man or Jack from Titanic. But I am normally cast as someone who comes from a broken home or the villain. Villains have more fun anyway. Most of the time these roles are challenging and out of the ordinary, it really makes me think about my acting choices and allows me to hone my craft. No matter the genre or character type, I put all my effort into every performance. Which I believe has shown throughout my career. There have been many times where I have had been given opportunities because of previous work. The relationships created on set are a huge reason I’ve been blessed with continued work. Directors have had casting call me in for auditions because of previous work I’ve done with them. The same goes for casting. This is how I booked Tremendum and Blumhouse production The Gallows Act 2. My former associate Carollyn DeVore, who I met in my high school years, had remembered me for a role years later. Carollyn was the casting director for The Gallows Act 2 and called me in for an audition. That’s why I say maintaining a good relationship can be key to more opportunities. I believe if you work hard and casting sees potential in you, they’ll keep you in mind for future productions.
I worked on a short film called Trust Issues, directed by Andretti Dante where I got recognition for my acting. I have won three Best Actor Awards and other categories in several film festivals. I have always wanted to be in a Western movie, as a child I used to pretend to be the third sidekick to Will Smith and Kevin Kline from Wild Wild West and rap in my room to the album. I was finally able to fulfill my long-time dream of playing a cowboy. Although the role of Charlie was very different and definitely more emotional, I was thrilled to be able to rock my favorite accessories of a cowboy: cowboy boots and hat. (When I was 9 or 10, I used to just have invisible Western outfits while only wearing underwear and socks) Finally being able to play a character that I used to love playing as a kid was something that my inner ten-year-old self was extremely happy about.
If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
Many people want a second chance and change some events that happened in life. If I were to be given the chance to start over, I would tell myself to worry less and let go of the things I cannot change. Try to be content with what I’ve achieved and be proud of what I have accomplished thus far. Although still wanting more in life is going to be a constant struggle, I would tell myself that the hard times always pass; keeping a positive mind frame is important. I do not think I would do anything different per say because that would change the outcome of my life but I would try to change my perspective and trying to be more grateful for all that I have been given.
What were you like growing up?
While growing up, I was a highly energetic kid. At home, I would always be rambunctious and play make-believe. I’d spend hours outside playing make-believe. I would be a Ninja Turtle fighting Super Shredder through molting lava fighting my way to April O’Neil with nunchucks. On other days, I’d pretend to be the greatest baseball player the world has ever seen announcing “Next batter up is Jono Cota. Bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth with a full count, it’s the biggest moment of his career… And the pitch… He swings… CRACK… The ball is going, going GONE… Home Run!…The crowd goes wild AHHHHHHH…” as I am running through the bases making my way to home plate. There was always something to exert my imagination on my parent’s open property. At home, I was always boisterous and on the move. I was an athletic kid growing up. With every new season came a new sport. I would stay active in multiple sports like baseball, soccer, wrestling, skateboarding and sometimes fishing at the local lake. I’ve always had this fire burning inside me to do everything I could possibly do. As I grew older new experiences opened my eyes to greater potential. Every new skill I learned helped build other skills I had obtained already.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm5955399/filmotype/actor?ref_=m_nmfm_1
- Phone: 5592320356
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Jor-el Vaasborg
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