We recently connected with Jaci Kjernander and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaci, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?

I began acting as a child on stage, receiving some of my best training with Kelly Eggers and the Oyster River Players. Those early days were formative—I have the fondest memories of that crew. It was there that I first learned essential skills, like how to walk in heels as an awkward, gangly pre-teen, and how to improvise when a fellow actor forgot their line during a Shakespeare play. That experience, and Kelly’s encouragement, was a pivotal moment in my stage-acting journey.

In terms of film acting, I study with Jami Tennille at ActorPlaybook. Continuous learning is crucial in this craft, and training with Jami has given me a safe space to explore and experiment. Some things work, some don’t, but that’s part of the process. You have to try to grow.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

Looking back, I wish I had started formal training sooner. In my 20s, I was naive—I thought memorizing lines was enough. But acting is so much more than that. If I had sought out training earlier, I believe my career might have progressed faster. That said, I’ve learned not to dwell on “what could have been”, and instead focus on what I can do now.

What skills do you think were most essential?

Adaptability and resilience. Whether it’s thinking on my feet during a live performance or learning from a tough day on set, these skills have been invaluable.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The biggest obstacle has always been myself. It’s easy to make excuses—“I’m too busy,” “I’m not good enough,” “I might embarrass myself”—but those excuses only hold you back. In this industry, you can’t afford to stand still. You have to keep pushing forward. That’s why I started working behind the camera as a writer and producer as well. When the industry is standing still you can still be creating for yourself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am, first and foremost, an actor, but I also write and produce. While I’ve directed a few times and enjoyed the experience, my true passion lies in being in front of the camera. After high school, I initially pursued a degree in Music Theory, not realizing that acting and film were viable college options. It wasn’t until I moved back to the Boston area a few years later that I reconnected with acting, signed with my first agent, and began working on various projects. A pivotal moment came when a friend asked me to be in one of his short films. That’s when I discovered Boston’s thriving indie film scene, which sparked my love for all aspects of filmmaking and motivated me to get involved behind the camera as well. I believe that understanding the roles everyone plays on set makes you a better filmmaker and actor.
After writing and directing my first short, Out With It, I founded Dover Point Productions. I found a deep passion for the planning process and for assembling a talented crew. Under Dover Point Productions, I’ve produced many shorts and am currently developing our first feature film. Although I primarily focus on comedy, having developed my skills as a comedy writer, I’ve partnered with Rachel S. Thomas-Medwid, she is a fantastic psychological thriller/horror writer, and we’ve blended our unique styles of horror and comedy to create films that are both fun and impactful.
What sets me apart is my ability to stay calm under pressure. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a mentor was to “keep moving forward”—a principle I live by, no matter what obstacles arise. My acting coach also instilled in me the mantra, “the only way out is through.” Whenever I face a challenging audition, I remind myself of this and push through, always feeling better for it afterward.
On-screen, I often embody tough, resilient women who conceal their vulnerability beneath a veneer of strength and a wry sense of humor. This blend of toughness and wit is something I bring to each role, and it’s a reflection of my own approach to life and work.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of our latest shorts, Fenwick, is currently doing its festival run. On the morning we were set to film at an 89-room dilapidated manor, I received a message from our cinematographer. She had just lost someone extremely close to her the night before but said she could probably still make the shoot. Having recently lost my brother, I understood the overwhelming grief she must have been feeling. I told her not to worry about the shoot and to stay with her family and take care of herself.

This left us without a cinematographer, camera, or lenses on the morning we were loading up to drive two hours to the location. Despite the situation, I remained calm. I took a deep breath, made a few phone calls, and within half an hour, we had a new cinematographer, camera, and lenses ready to go.

While this last-minute change inevitably altered our final film—after all, months of pre-production go into setting the tone, planning the shot list, and ensuring everything is in place—it was a necessary adjustment. Bringing in someone who hadn’t been part of those pre-production conversations meant sacrificing some of our original vision. But instead of stressing, we adapted, and we ended up with a great film. Plus, we even had a few ghostly encounters while filming, which added an unexpected twist to the experience!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Get back to the theaters! We need the golden days of movie theaters to return. With the convenience of streaming, it’s become all too easy to watch something at home, but this shift is undermining the filmmaking ecosystem. Studios are gaining too much control, often at the expense of independent filmmakers.

Support your indie filmmaking friends by attending their screenings, going to film festivals, and, if possible, contributing financially to help fund their projects—every bit helps. If your state doesn’t offer tax incentives for filmmaking, write to your legislators. Advocacy can make a significant difference in fostering a creative-friendly environment.

Also, it’s important to understand that being a creative is incredibly challenging. We do it because we can’t imagine doing anything else—our souls thrive on creativity, but it’s not always lucrative. What people often see on social media are the highlights—premieres, wrap parties, celebrations. But what’s not visible are the long days, the constant rejection, the meticulous planning, the time away from family, and the endless travel. This career is filled with peaks and valleys; while the peaks are celebrated, the valleys are usually hidden from view.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jacikjernander.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacikjernander/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kjernander/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaci-kjernander-4ba9056b/

Image Credits

Nile Scott
Jason Corkum