JAZMINE CAMPANALE
With an eye on comedy, this versatile Canadian actor also writes her own stories that she hopes will empower women.
Jazmine Campanale as photographed by Kristina Ruddick. (images cropped for size).
The first time I met Jazmine Campanale, I had no idea she was an actor.
You see, Jazmine — she’ll also answer to Jaz or Jazzy — is not only extremely humble, as any good Canadian would be, but she’s also a fitness trainer. At the time, which was almost a decade ago, I had dragged myself to a “boot camp” style outdoor fitness class, and she was the teacher. Over many weeks, as I struggled through sets of burpees and ab workouts that required extra motivation, Jaz was there, with her friendly smile and boundless energy. I remember thinking, as I grumbled while holding the plank position, wow, she’s either the most patient, positive person I’ve ever met — or she’s a really good actor.
Turns out both were true, although at that moment, she wasn’t acting.
Jaz has many skills and talents in her actor’s toolkit. Fitness is one, including years of karate training. In addition to acting, she is also a burgeoning writer, director, and producer, and both her short film Push Start and web series #ModelLife have received awards. As an actor, Jazmine has worked in everything from Shakespeare to science fiction, acting in plays, TV series, films, web series, and more. “I love the roles where I get to play really nerdy characters where I'm investigating something or doing research”, she told me as I asked her recently about the role she played on the sci-fi series, Travelers (Showcase/Netflix). These days, however, Jaz is turning her eye more toward comedy.
Read on to find out more about Jazmine Campanale’s start in the industry, the stories she’s excited about telling, and whether or not she’s going to audition for Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.
Heather Heagney: Jaz! Thanks for doing this! Let’s start at the beginning. When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?
Jazmine Campanale: I was in grade four. There was this play that our school was putting on and the lead character was a frog. I remember really wanting to play the frog. I ultimately ended up getting cast as a reindeer, but I also got the part of the understudy for the frog and I just remember the excitement of that. I never did get to play the frog, but I remember feeling that yearning. Also, when I was around nine, my Mom and I went to see the musical Grease at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. I remember being so mesmerized by everything – It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen! I remember thinking, I really want to do that.
When was the first time you acted on stage?
My high school put on Romeo and Juliet and I was cast as Lady Montague. The guy they cast to play my husband (Montague) dropped out of the play, so instead of recasting the role, they just gave all of his lines to me! So, I became a single mother version of Lady Montague and it was a really neat experience. It was my first immersive experience. We got to do an exchange with another high school in Germany where each school traveled to perform our plays – that experience was very cool. Also in high school, we had something called “Backstage” where we got to write, cast, and perform our own plays.
What a progressive decision they made at that time to give you Montague’s lines!
One hundred percent!
So you had some theatre under your belt, and from there, I know you went to university and got a psychology degree…
Yes, I did!
Did you get a theatre degree as well?
During the last year of my psychology degree, I started theatre school. It was a 3-year conservatory program. This was also while I was running fitness boot camps in Ottawa.
At this point, were you thinking that you wanted to pursue acting full-time? Did you have a Plan B? What was your vision?
Theatre was something that I knew deep down I really, really wanted to do. I was very shy when I was younger – I always had this kind of fear, like, can I do this? Living in Ottawa, there wasn't much opportunity at the time for on-camera experience, even though I enjoyed the on-camera class I had in theatre school. It wasn't until I moved from Ottawa to Vancouver that I dove deep into the film and television industry.
I got into a five-week program called Canada's National Voice Intensive. That program was amazing — we worked on our voice using the text of four Shakespeare plays. I ended up loving Vancouver so much that I stayed there – I got an agent, started auditioning, and then booked my first TV commercial. So at that point, I was thinking, okay, I think I can do this!
Very cool - I love hearing about your journey!
I’m wondering, in any of your acting classes, was there an impactful lesson or technique that you learned that was a game-changer for you?
Yes — it was to create your own work, to be your own voice, and be your own advocate. Following this advice gave me so much confidence in seeing things not only from the actor’s perspective but from a different side, which gave me the drive to pursue things further.
For some actors, writing their own material has really helped them in the industry. (e.g., Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, etc.)
That's exactly it. As an actor, you are the best person to know what you do well, what your strengths are, and what characters would suit you best. You can show them how you see yourself, and you can help drive your own story forward. It's definitely a game-changer.
I’ve heard a lot of actors say that they used to be shy and that they love to jump into a character that isn't like them at all.
Yes! It's about finding the truth of the character in that situation, whatever that situation may be. There are a lot of situations that you’ve probably never experienced, but you need to find your way into the character based on something that’s specific to you, which will make the character believable for the audience.
Tell me about the short film you produced, Push Start. I’d love to hear what you learned in the process of making the film.
I had a mentor in Vancouver, Julia Benson who said, “What scares you the most?” And I said, “Writing, producing, and creating something.” And she said, “Okay — do that!” So I started creating this piece and followed her advice to team up with people who had more experience than I did. I joined Women in Film & Television Vancouver (now GEMS: Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver) and I just kept reaching out to people to see if they would be interested in working with me to make this film. Lo and behold – a lot of people were! During production, watching everyone working, I was like, wow, I can't believe that this little seed of an idea turned into a production that we're going to be able to put forward!
That’s the thing with this career, you can't do it alone. It’s how you get the next job, too – one of the keys to building success in this industry is connecting with other people. Ultimately, that's what it's all about, it’s why we do this – to connect.
My mentor connected me with a lot of people including her husband, Peter Benson, who's also in the industry. Both of them were so encouraging and supportive of me in the creation of my own work. I've also had amazing coaches and teachers along the way and many people have shown their support, which means the world to me.
Speaking of your own work, congratulations on creating your web series, #ModelLife - how did that come about?
#ModelLife was inspired by my experiences (and friends’ and colleagues’ experiences) in the modeling industry, and how it looks really good from the outside, but then when you're in it, a lot of things can happen that are sort of questionable. I wanted to talk about that and put it out there using comedy.
This story started in Ottawa where I did a one-woman show that I produced and directed. When I showed it to a friend, she said, “You need to do something with this – turn it into a web series or something!” When I put out the casting call for the two roles in the series (I had already cast myself as the agent), there was a huge response – 200 women came out to audition! I wish I could have hired every single person because there's so much talent out there.
That experience taught me a lot about the casting process. By creating my own work, I learned to never underestimate the power of enthusiasm. When you're excited about something, other people will be excited too. And if you have a story to share, you'll find your audience – people will connect to it.
I thought the decision to have the model character be a child was interesting because I know you’ve volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, and from that, and your fitness training work, it seems like it’s important to you to encourage women and girls to have confidence in themselves.
Yes, I think that's huge. I learned a lot volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club, there was a program called Go Girls! – where I would chat once a week at a school with 12-year-old girls about what they were going through. It struck me working with them how their confidence and self-esteem were both really low. I just wanted to tell them that everything's going to be okay and that they can do it – to keep going, keep persisting, find what they’re passionate about, and that will grow their confidence. For me, it was theatre that gave me that confidence.
Do you have any upcoming acting roles?
Yes! I can’t talk about it yet because it's not currently released, but stay tuned. There is definitely something in the works.
Is it a film or a series?
It's a series.
And are you writing anything right now?
Yes! I'm currently working on a comedic pilot script.
I’ve noticed you’ve played a range of different roles, but it does seem like you have a thing for comedy.
With acting, everything is a skill and you just have to work at it. I never thought I was funny, but my partner tells me I'm funny, so I have been auditioning for some comedy roles and taking classes at The Second City. I think comedy is a great way to tell a story, especially if you have a message but you don’t want to hit the audience over the head with it. I enjoy when there's more to the story than meets the eye — when there's something deeper that's being said. I like that kind of work.
What would you say the main message is that you're trying to get out to the world? I’ve noticed themes of female empowerment in your work on and off-screen…
Absolutely. That's a big mandate for me. Especially when I was working on Push Start, I tried my best to get women on board but it was challenging. There are not enough of us in the industry and there needs to be more. For #ModelLife, the message was that not everything is as it appears. Just because the modeling industry looks shiny on the outside doesn't mean that it's good on the inside.
For the pilot you're writing, is there anything that you can share about its general themes?
This one is about body image and the beauty industry. I think that's probably my message – society makes women especially feel a certain way or feel like they have to look a certain way, not age, and not be anything other than beautiful. There's so much more to women than just being beautiful and fitting into some sort of box. Make your own box!
Amen to that!
This Substack is called watch this: feel that — it's all about how TV and movies make us feel. What movies or TV shows have made you feel?
So many, all the time! Going back to childhood, it would have to be Full House. That was my all-time favorite show. I loved Michelle (played by the Olsen twins). I also really like Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She’s amazing and so funny! Succession I thought was an amazing show, The Bear… right now I'm watching True Detective and that's making me feel all types of things. I've been watching it before bed, which hasn't been the best because it's a little horrific…
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of the life of an actor today?
Auditions! We don't get to go into the room and meet the casting director, the producers, the directors – everything's done on self-tapes now. Before, when auditions were in the room, you could try new things based on what the director wanted. Now, you get to be your own visionary, but it might not be what they necessarily had in mind. It definitely gives a lot more independence to the artist, but it’s challenging!
What differences have you noticed between the industry in Vancouver versus Toronto since your move there in 2022?
Vancouver is largely driven by the American market – a lot of TV shows from the U.S. are shot there. In Toronto, I've noticed more Canadian content and a lot more comedies. I've been auditioning for more comedies out here, which has been super awesome.
It’s not a comedy, but I’m curious — are you going to audition for the new Law and Order Toronto?
Oh, yes, I hope so!
I hope so too!
Thank you, Jaz! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your comedy pilot script and your upcoming role - keep us posted! P.S. — With all of that karate training, I would love to see you in something like Kill Bill…
That’s fun! Yes – I love Kill Bill! But for now, I'm excited to delve more into the world of comedy.
watch this: feel that, March 2024.
watch this: feel that is a Substack newsletter I write that shares film & TV recommendations for the mood you're in, or how you want to feel.
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