JOSH CLOSE

INTERVIEW BY JEREMY POWER REGIMBAL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN TYLER CLOSE

Josh is the type of person that when he speaks, you listen, because you know you will learn something every time. He has such a methodical and wise mannerism about him that it surprises you when you realize that he is still a young man with a very promising career ahead of him. As an actor he has worked with directors such as; George A. Romero, Kathryn Bigelow and Scott Derrickson and co-starred with the likes of Harrison Ford, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Carpenter and Adam Goldberg. His acting experience and study comes through in his writing style in the form of flowing dialogue and clever character development. He has three feature film screenplays completed; one of which is shooting this summer and he just recently directed his first short film, which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival. If I had to think of an object that I would compare to Josh, it would definitely be a kaleidoscope… yeah, a wise, humble kaleidoscope of awesome shit!

JEREMY—I already know this because you’re like a brother to me, but tell us where you grew up and when you first knew you wanted to act. What was it that attracted you to performing?

JOSH—I grew up in a small town outside Toronto called Oakville. I probably first began loving acting further back than I can remember… It has always felt like such an involuntary love after watching so many films as a kid and going to the theater on class trips, but consciously, it was probably during my senior year of high school. I was the lead in a play called A Willful Act written by a gifted writer and good friend of mine at the time, who I believe hired me out of pity. Anyway, on the second night, after opening night’s hour and a half long public panic attack, I had this overwhelming sensation of joy and purpose. Luckily enough, I was pretty good at it. What attracted me, and continues to attract me, is that I’ll never be fully satisfied and I believe in the power of storytelling more than anything. I love the line, “People go to films to see themselves.”

JPR—What was your biggest learning experience in the film industry and when did it happen?

JC—Which one? It’s all a learning experience. I’ve learned that “no” can be just as positive as “yes.” Work begets work. Finding ways to hide true feelings is far more humane and effective than trying to reveal them, which actors, including myself, have all done. “Look at me, look at me emote!” That’s not living, that’s “acting,” which is what I try not to do.

JPR—I had the pleasure of producing and editing your first film titled Short on Love. Is writing and directing something you’d like to pursue or is acting your main focus? What are your plans and goals for the future?

JC—Absolutely. I loved realizing my own script as a director. It was such an education and wonderful experience to work with you, Justin and an extremely talented cinematographer like Wyatt Troll. Kai Lennox, one of my favorite actors and good friend, was brilliant in this film. I want that experience on different levels over and over again. It was funny to me that I thought directing would be less nerve-wracking… Nope. I also have a few feature film scripts, which I’ve written, that are in development right now, so we’ll see…