Jay plays "David McKlane" on Palmetto

1) What was the attraction of doing this series?

The fact that it was an internet series intrigued me, which is what brought me to the auditions initially.

2) What makes PALMETTO different from any other teen drama you’ve seen?

They cast me! But seriously, you don’t get that teeny, if that’s even a word, feeling with this production because of the way it’s written. This script was not written overnight. It was nurtured for years and honed to give you what was finally put in the can. Secondly the casting was dead on. This cast is full of talent and none of the hype. I truly believe egos where checked at the door and when the cameras started to roll the actor instinct kicked in so everything you see is as real as it gets. Then there is the next piece of the collective and so important to any production and that is the crew. I don’t think they could have put together a better crew if Coppola had done this movie.

3) What are the challenges of playing a character coming from a small town?

Well I guess if your from a small town, NOTHING. As most of the talent in this production I believe are. As for myself, it wasn’t so easy coming from a big city and not being used to everyone knowing your whole life history, and your every move is know by all. Its just the opposite when you live in a big city, you don’t have that everyday, hometown connection or the luxury of and unspoken kinship that comes from small town living. I have com3e to respect it and crave it at the same time. It’s a great feeling but not one that comes naturally for me.

4) Without giving too much away, can you talk about your character?

David Mcklane is a product of his environment and he knows it and he in turn not only respects it but finds it’s in his blood and it always has been and in that is his inner conflict. I hope I have confused you.

5) How do you prepare for your scenes? What do you do to get “into character?”

That’s an interesting question because it has about a thousands answers and then some. To me its perspective as well as individualism for each actor and how in touch, or in tune he is to his character. Then there is the personality similarities, which sometimes come into play, well I could go on and on about this. In a sentence? Know where you are coming from, (your last scene) and to where you want to go (the present scene) and with a little, or a lot of inner conflict the magic happens. I also need some quiet time, actually no sound usually right before a scene starts to align the character, or NOT align a character, its all in the script, I believe, you can find it in the words if you look hard enough. Oh yeah I forgot one smaller aspect of the process, THE DIRECTOR, he will tell you where to go most of the time as well, right Chris.

6) Without giving too much away, what has been your favorite scene to shoot?

This may sound like I’m skipping out on this question but I assure you I am not. I loved every minute of every scene, because I love being on this set and working with this very special and multi talented cast and crew.

7) Is there any advice, wisdom, or comments your character would like to give the fans?

I would ask them to really watch very carefully the story line, the characters and especially the situations that each one of us gets into and out of. There is real life and guidance there and something to learn simply because this script was bourn from small town life. Sooner or later, all throughout this series, there is a lesson to be learned, as with most stories, but with this one, you can take it to the bank.

---