We were lucky to catch up with Jordan Frechtman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

When I was fifteen, I decided that I wanted to act professionally, but I didn’t earn money as an actor until I was twenty-three. I moved to Los Angeles for my last semester of college, knowing that I would stay there after graduating.

After living in LA for about a year, and realizing that no one was going to knock on my door, and offer me acting jobs, I finally signed up for Actors Access (something I should have done as soon as I graduated college, if not sooner). Within the first weeks of being on there and self-submitting, I got an audition for a pilot for a sketch series, centered around celebrity impressions.

During my summers working at Southwoods sleep away camp in upstate New York, I had more than perfected my Tom Cruise impression. At the audition, the folks running the session said, “Don’t tell us who you are impersonating. We want to be able to guess.” I turned so that my back was facing them, I put on my black sunglasses, spun around, and hit them with the big Cruise smile. I got an instant laugh before I even spoke, and pretty much knew they were going to hire me. And they did. My first pilot season in LA, and I booked a role (nowhere to go but down, baby!).

This was not the most glamorous production. We filmed the pilot in an industrial part of North Hollywood. Lunch was catered… from Subway. I worked a half-day, and after I wrapped, I had to go to my day-job as a manny. I was paid $25 for the shoot, but I had now been paid to act. I was officially a professional actor. No one could take that away from me.

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 grew up loving movies. I would run around my house and backyard, pretending to be my favorite characters. I would even ask my parents if we could go to Shabbat services so I could wear a suit, and feel like I was James Bond (a famously Jewish character).

I played a lot of sports growing up, ice hockey being my number one. I played goalie, and was decent, but I realized I wasn’t going to the NHL my freshman year of high school (I should have realized sooner, but you gotta respect the confidence). I figured I should pivot to a more stable career… in acting (again, you gotta respect the confidence).

I often get cast as nice, wholesome characters (young dad, sister’s boyfriend, etc). When I write roles for myself, I try to subvert that, writing people who have more angst, and are wound more tightly.

Since I last spoke with you folks, a screenplay that my writing partner, Conor McAdam, and I have been working on for over five years won Best Horror Script at the Austin After Dark Film Festival. Writing contests are so subjective, but Conor and I have put a lot of work into that script to get it to where it is. Sticking with this project, and continuing to push for it to be the best that it can be is what I am most proud of professionally.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The biggest thing is understanding that our experience is completely different from those who have not gone down this path. There isn’t a linear path to having success in a creative field. I know that most people are well-intentioned, but suggesting that an actor reach out to Tyler Perry, and ask for an acting job, is not as helpful as some think.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I understood the importance of networking. Asking for help, or advice is so awkward, and I’m still working on getting better at this, but it is so important no matter what you do, or are pursuing.

Occasionally a self-important jerk will turn down the opportunity to chat with you, but most people are super flattered that anyone would think they have their act together enough to give advice.

Pretending that everything is great when you know it isn’t doesn’t help you in the long-run. We all have to be willing to ask for help (he says, as a reminder to himself).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6397769/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_frechtman/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-frechtman-07867023/

Image Credits
The Headshots were taken by Chase Anderson