We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zachary Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Zachary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

I didn’t necessarily LEARN to Act. I trained myself to BEcome a character. I realized that my 1st lesson in acting was to Understand it. My interpretation of Acting would be an art of expressing emotion and intentions so rather than just pretending to be someone, it is about truth and vulnerability. So , After reading a script I personally know the story and the Directors ideal vision for the character, now it’s my responsibility to tell the story through my performance and Become it . The Real education in Acting is being on set. Start as a background role, Creat Skits with your Peers , audition for Lead roles, feel the Feeling of Rejection , learn your favorite Monologue , watch movies of different genres and find YOU in them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. When I was younger My Parents and , My Uncles introduced me to alot of different genre’s of movies, my favorites were (Blade, Rocky 2, The temptations, FiveHeart beats, Bad boys) . We would act out our favorite scenes and from there I started to become interested in Entertainment. I loved to entertain and bring laughter to others around me but I never had that confidence to do it on a stage . I attended college at Savannah State university graduated with my bachelors in Sociology . While in college I started to structure my Craftsmanship. I joined a modeling organization called Savage Incorporated which specializes in ( Print and Runway) so this gave me an opportunity to get on stage and get in front of the camera. I started a non profit organization called Distant Tribe (Different Individuals Striving Through All Negative Tatics) our mission is to empower the youth to develop confidence and a sense of purpose. The goal is to give opportunities to make positive change, such as community projects or awareness campaigns, themed Seasonal Events, etc What sets me and My brand apart from others is the satisfaction comes from seeing other Creators like me doing what they love. I’m most proud of the Journey being able to self reflect on where I was then and now. One thing I notice is that Every season requires a reformed version of myself so I’m at point of life that I’m learning/ teaching myself different skills and finding ways I can be purposeful .

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is self discovery, actually living in the moment of your creativity. It doesn’t have a standard or boundary, It’s a mirror, reflecting not just what you imagine but who you really are. A Music artist receiving praise for a Song or an Actor being recognized for their performance in a film. The Real Reward/ Joy being an artist/ creator is in the connection you make with other people in your creativity.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I would say Non-creatives don’t really understand the Faith, Patience, and commitment that this journey requires you to have. There’s times you think the next project will be “The One” and it doesn’t happen for you and now it feels like you’re in a War with yourself trying not to give up, or get discouraged in the process. My message for creatives and non creatives is that our Faith started in Size of Mustard seed and in order for it to grow and sprout it has to be watered, and Shined upon like a Plant. So, Keep uplifting , Keep supporting and encouraging the breakthrough is In Believing.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://distanttribe.com/
• Instagram: Riccoo_jones/distant_tribe
• Facebook: Riccoo Jones
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings

Image Credits

@a2w.keam
@imperialoptics
@kapturedbykel__