We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brick Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Brick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
One of the most challenging goals for actors is trying to make a living as an artist. I have been trying with some success for a decade! Like most actors, I have worked regular jobs to make ends meet. When acting was at its most frustrating, when I had to navigate different levels of rejection, I often wished that working a regular job, a 9-5, something stable, would suffice. But once you get to the point that you know your heart is in the arts, it’s hard to stay mentally intact working jobs that aren’t creative or at the very least, not using creativity as an outlet. The reality is, that no matter how hard this journey can get, there’s nothing better than being an artist.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been a professional actor for over 10 years and an improviser/sketch actor for 15. I knew I wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. I was enamored by sitcoms and movies and I loved to entertain whenever I could. But as far as doing it for a living, it didn’t seem possible. It’s not like I had a family member or friend who has tried to get into the industry. Over a decade ago, I moved to Wilmington, NC (home of Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill) at a time when the film community was building there. I decided to take the shot. I did student films and short films and then got an agent. The rest is history. Since then I have appeared in over 20 films and TV shows, most recently on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, The Upshaws, and Barry. Many of these opportunities have come in the last couple of years since I moved to LA in 2020. In addition, I haven’t stopped performing on stage doing improv and sketch comedy. I currently produce and co-produce several shows including a sitcom-based variety show Series Finale at Pack Theater in Hollywood.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Less than a year after I started acting, all of the work shifted from North Carolina to Atlanta, GA. Because of this, after a fast start for me, I went 2 and a half years without booking work. I was devasted and frustrated and I was almost willing to give it all up. I really almost quit, especially after coming close to booking a few roles only for them to not pan out at the last minute. But I decided to keep going. I was fortunate to have the support of family who believed in me and reminded me that I believed in myself. I kept pushing, processing every rejection and most importantly, I kept working on my craft. Then the big step. I moved to Atlanta and it took another year, but finally, work came in. Now, I can’t imagine quitting. I am glad I had that time. I learned a lot about myself and how to handle the ups and downs of this rollercoaster we call acting.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There’s no better reward than being able to impact someone through my work. Whether I am making someone think, someone laugh, or even inspiring someone to follow this path. We saw this play out perfectly during the pandemic. While everyone was at home, creatives provided a service that impacted so many, more than any other time. When people needed an escape, they turned to movies, TV, music, etc. Now, I’m not trying to over-emphasize what we do in comparison to the real heroes who walk the Earth without capes every day, but artists definitely deserve credit for how we contribute to the culture.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrickjackson/
Image Credits
MAIN PHOTO – Joanna DeGeneres – @joannadegeneres PIC 1 (mic in had) Ian Zandi – @zandimancam PIC 3 (Hands up) Justin Baker – @actsforfood PIC 4 (pointing) Alex Lee – @alexdoesscience