Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Machesky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

John, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

After I moved to Chicago my mom’s friend suggested Dan DuVerney, a headshot photographer. During the session he asked if I considered modeling and I said no, I wasn’t really interested. I was then informed that it paid well, but more importantly I could get in with acting agencies more easily that way. He took photos for me (at no additional charge) to send to agencies to try and get and agent. He then made a list of top agencies with acting and modeling divisions I should reach out to.

Before I even submitted to those agencies I met one of the agents at my restaurant job. The agent was having dinner with a makeup artist friend who noticed me and said the agent had to sign me. They asked their server, my girlfriend at the time, who I was and if I acted. She responded, “Ugh – that’s my boyfriend, yes,” (weird we aren’t still together). I got her contact info and went and took a meeting with the agency. They told me I was an inch shorter than I am and too young and CW (honestly, fair). The agent felt bad for inviting me out to not be signed so she helped me in applying to other agencies.

From there I applied to agencies, had someone forward me to another agent who forwarded me to another agent who signed me and got me my modeling and talent agency.

All of these acts of kindness that cost these people a small amount of time ended up getting me my agent. So many small kindnesses and guiding lights have made it possible to get me where I am today.

Taking that little bit of time out of your day can mean the world to someone else.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a theater trained actor, model, and screenwriter (oh my) based in Atlanta.

From “Please sir may I have some more?” in Oliver Twist in fifth grade to “What’s up scumbag?” on network television and promo commercials, acting has been a journey.

I graduated Indiana University in 2013 with a theater and psychology degree, because why study behavior only one way. I then moved to Chicago to pursue theater and take classes at Second City. I then moved to Y’allywood, Atlanta, to move from the boards to the screen.

I have appeared on television shows (Will Trent, The Oval, and Them), films (Rosehill and The Legend of Gilbert Flay), commercials (Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Home Depot), modeled (Sears, and Florsheim), hand modeled (Kroger and Florida Citrus), wrote my own shorts, and have even gotten to do my own stunts. I’ll run like Tom Cruise but I’ll let someone else jump off a building.

As commercially handsome as the boy next door, with eyes that say I may have someone locked in a basement, if you need someone to play guitar, baseball, football, take a punch, or crack a joke I’d love to be your patsy.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Other people and relying on your network. A great book “The Art of Asking” by Amanda Palmer really illustrates how much we can gain and how much people really want to help you along your journey, especially as creatives. I really think I’m only where I am today because of the people that have supported me and who I have been able to lean on through the years. The worst thing someone could say is no, but when you give people the chance they’ll usually surprise you.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The mentality that art is competition. “I’m going up for this role against these people” or “I’m trying to win the job from this casting director”. We are all trying to make the best art we can and a lot of the time who gets picked has nothing to do with who “did the best”. I could have had the best performance but if I don’t fit in the ensemble then I won’t be the best one for the job. If I’m even getting an audition that means A) my agent and the casting director both think I could do the job and B) someone is hoping I’m the person they need to help them with their project.

I hear too many actors complain about how many times they get called in for a show or brand multiple times but not getting cast. These are huge wins and means they like what you do and are trying to find the right role for you to shine in.

A way I’ve started trying to combat against this is celebrating my wins (I always keep a little bottle of bubbly in the fridge) and making sure my friends and loved ones celebrate their wins as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnmachesky.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmachesk/

Image Credits

Jonathon Wade
Neville Forbes
Lester Villarama
Scott Teitler
Sierra Prescott
Connnor Christensen