Interview With a Lifetime Star: Jadon Cal

Trevor Wells: Hello Jadon! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It's much appreciated. So, let's start with how it all began: what first got you interested in acting? Looking over your IMDB bio, it seems you had quite the journey going into your film career.

Jadon Cal: I first became interested in acting as a child, when I watched the movie Forrest Gump. I was inspired by Tom Hanks and his portrayal of Forrest, as well as a whole era coming to life that I had never lived. From there, I would take acting classes that my father taught as a kid, and had the opportunity to do a few of his films. While I didn't get to act much during my childhood (my parents wanted me to have a 'normal upbringing'), I began pursuing it after I dropped out of college at 18 years old.

Trevor Wells: Interesting! I can see why Tom Hanks' performance would have inspired you so much. Now, if you don't mind me asking this, I'm wondering what the story behind you leaving college is.

Jadon Cal: Yeah, it’s no problem at all. So I was in college and didn’t really feel fulfilled and going to classes and studying things I didn’t like. So I dropped out and decided to try and figure it out as I worked in a restaurant for a little while. Eventually, I decided to get back into acting and moved to L.A. soon after to pursue the craft.

Trevor Wells: That's good to hear. College isn't the path for everybody, and I'm happy you found the path that worked for you and gave you the fulfillment you were looking for. Speaking of which, I'm curious: I saw on IMDB you come from a family of people involved in the film industry. How would you say that impacted your own foray into the world of filmmaking?

Jadon Cal: My family has greatly impacted my film journey. They've been super supportive of all of my projects and have taught me a ton about the craft of acting. They've also trusted me with multiple lead roles in films, and I am grateful to have had the experience of doing lead roles at a young age, and presently today. Even when I make a short film, they will do anything they can to help.

Trevor Wells: Awesome! Great that you had their support to back you up as you were pursuing your dream. That dream also extended from acting to behind-the-scenes work, as I've found out. What was it like making that transition? And what end of the camera would you say you prefer to be on?

Jadon Cal: I began making films because I wasn't getting cast in the roles I wanted to play. All I had opportunities for in Los Angeles were low-budget, dumb jock roles, and I grew tired of it. So I wrote projects and began learning how to film and edit so that I could go deeper and explore characters and translate them onto the screen to watch back and continue growing. It's worked out quite well as some of my best footage (in my opinion) is footage that I wrote/directed. I love acting first and foremost, but aside from that, writing and directing are a close second.

Trevor Wells: Seems a consistency in your career journey is that you always go after what you want; excellent! And your website tells me you've also gone beyond filmmaking with Wrestling Heaven, a poetry book you released in December. What can you tell me about this writing venture?

Jadon Cal: Wrestling Heaven is a book that has been near and dear to my heart for about four years. It didn't start as a book, but more so a diary in the form of poetry. As I looked back through my notebook at the time, I'd realized what a beautiful story the poems wound together to form, and I felt compelled to share it. From there I began to make videos and bring the poetry to life (which I still want to do more of) and form it into a book to release.

Trevor Wells: Beautiful. I might see if I can check it out sometime. But for now, on to the project that introduced me to you in the first place: Lifetime's Friendship Never Dies. What's the story behind you being cast in the movie as Alex Tyler?

Jadon Cal: So the funny thing is that I didn't actually audition for the role of Alex in Friendship Never Dies. I actually auditioned for the lead of another film Dating a Killer, which Damián [Romay] was a producer on. The director of that film ended up not wanting me, but Damián (directed of FND) liked me so much that he cast me without making me audition. I couldn't refuse the role and was honored to be offered a role for the first time without auditioning (which has actually happened again recently on another film).

Trevor Wells: Interesting! And coincidentally enough, Dating a Killer (now titled The Secrets She Keeps) looks to be slated to premiere on Lifetime at the end of May. What was filming for Friendship Never Dies like?

Jadon Cal: Filming was a blast. I was in Savannah for a total of 10 days (4 which I filmed), and I got to explore the city and meet a bunch of awesome people. I'd say one of my favorite places was the house featured in the end of the film with the spiral staircase, as it was just one of those buildings that seem to have its own life, full of history. I never got to film there, but I did hang out with the cast and crew almost every day that I didn't work. I'd say my favorite filming moment would be when I gave Harlan the flowers, and sat with her on the bench, consoling her about her mother. That scene felt real, and she was great to work with.

Trevor Wells: Great to hear it was fun, and I liked that scene too. Though for my favorite scene of yours, I'd have to choose your last scene with Harlan. A super sweet and authentic exchange made poignant in hindsight. Was there anything in my review of the film that you wanted to talk about?

Jadon Cal: Just that I want to thank you for reaching out. It's awesome to do stuff like this. I'd prefer podcast/speaking types of things [in reference to our interview being over email], as I am very much a people-person, but this is cool too!

Trevor Wells: Thank you! And I truly appreciate you agreeing to an email interview, it's a much more comfortable and practical avenue for me. Looking into other projects you've had a hand in, I found you've been in/produced and directed some short films. I often do short film review lists, and I have your film Prom Night saved on my queue. The premise has me pretty intrigued. What can you tell me about it without spoiling anything?

Jadon Cal: Regarding Prom Night, I originally wrote the script in 2016, in an attempt to get some dramatic footage for my demo reel at the time. It never came to fruition as my contact fell through, and once I began producing my own content, I decided to give it the 'greenlight'. It's all about the consequences of our actions, whether they be the right or wrong ones, and the realizations that we may have once we live them. Sometimes decisions in the heat of the moment need to be pondered upon before acted upon.

Trevor Wells: Sounds intriguing, and good on you for making it happen in spite of that dropped contact. Any other short films of yours that are available for my review plate?

Jadon Cal: Yes! So my website JadonCal.com has my short films attached to my 'acting' and 'directing' tabs! Also, they are on YouTube under the account, "Jadon Cal".

Trevor Wells: I'll be sure to check some out and get them onto my review agenda! So, as of now, what would be your favorite memory/most influential moment of your career thus far?

Jadon Cal: I think my favorite moment in my career thus far (while there are so many) may have to be starring in the upcoming film Soulmates, which my father wrote for himself to star in 33 years ago. It was his passion project, his Rocky. And to have been a part of it and be able to bring it to life was an honor.

Trevor Wells: That's beautiful. I'd love to see it when it comes out. Any more upcoming projects that you can talk to me about?

Jadon Cal: I've got a script I'm casting for titled Off Rip, which is a coming-of-age movie following a young skimboarder supporting his single mother and his little brother. He gets an opportunity of sponsorship which makes his dreams of following his passion for a living become a bit more real, and inspire him to do better by his brother. We have ZAP skimboards attached and sponsoring the film, and it is the first skimboarding film in the history of movies.

Trevor Wells: WOW! Never heard of skimboarding before, but it sounds cool and it must be exciting to be the first to put it to film. So to close out this interview, what advice you have to give others looking to work in the film industry in some way?

Jadon Cal: My best advice would be to create every single day. Whether you're writing, creating a character, shooting something, producing... Whatever it is you want to do in the industry, you need to do it every day, and try and find others to collaborate with, and expand from there.

Trevor Wells: As a writer, I can definitely agree on the importance of working on your craft on a daily basis. Thank you so much for talking with me. I can't wait to check out your other projects and I wish you and your family the best wishes going forward!