Brittany Bristow and Rob Mayes star in the country music romantic movie Just Jake, premiering Sunday, May 21 at 7 PM on UPtv. We at Survived The Shows had the incredible pleasure to chat with Rob Mayes ahead of the premiere to discuss his experience in the movie and preview what fans can expect. Check out the full interview below!
What drew you to the role of Jake in “Just Jake”?
ROB MAYES: I love country music, and I love movies and I ESPECIALLY love country music movies
Can you tell us a little bit about the movie’s plot and your character’s arc?
Jake experiences some viral fame, but after not pulling his weight, and experiencing some writers block, he loses his record deal, his car, his place to live, which weighs heavily on him, considering he was an orphan growing up. He heads back home with his manager to regroup and decompress, and in so doing reignites his relationship with the love of his life.
What was the most challenging part of playing this character?
We had a blast making this movie in Colorado. We wrote two songs for it & my rendition of the big hero song WITHOUT YOU comes out this Friday the 19th https://cmdshft.ffm.to/Without-You
It’s always a race to the finish to shoot these movies in just a few weeks. Usually no more than like 15 shooting days. So it’s FAST.
What was it like working with your co-stars on “Just Jake”?
Brit Bristow is magnificent. I love getting to work with people that care about what they’re doing and also love to have fun on set.
Can you tell us about any funny behind-the-scenes moments from filming?
I don’t know if it’s funny haha but I got a concussion from a falling light before our very first scene on our very first day haha
What do you hope audiences take away from “Just Jake”? And What do you consider to be the biggest message of the film?
The movie has a great message. It’s uplifting it’s hopeful it’s redemptive. It’s about love, it’s about chasing your dream, it’s about home, and finding the balance.
What was your favorite scene to film in the movie?
Shooting the big concert sequence at the end of the movie was a blast.
What was your favorite memory from filming “Just Jake”?
I absolutely love the two songs that we wrote for this movie – WITHOUT YOU and NEW FAVORITE SONG ON THE RADIO that I wrote with Will Weatherly, who has numerous number ones; Heath Warren, who has a current number one at Country Radio with a Bailey Zimmerman, and Eric Van Houten. Two of my favorite things that I get to do is write songs and then get in the studio and record them.
What was the atmosphere like on set during filming?
Super fun and light!
How does “Just Jake” differ from other movies you’ve worked on?
Jake was raised in boys homes and was an orphan growing up so that inparts a lot in regards to who he is and how he sees the world and his experience with abandonment and trust – and I think also to a big extent his desire to prove something to himself.
What’s your favorite role you’ve played in your career and why?
I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing people on a handful of TV series, like the Client List, with Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Mistresses, on ABC, Jane by design, Frequency on the CW. And I’ve gotten the opportunity to dig into some really fantastic characters in film. John dies at the end, the Deep Blue Sea sequel, and Burning Blue, which has led to me getting messages from people all over the world, telling me how much this story means to them and sharing their own story.
What’s your favorite memory from working on tv show “Mistresses” and “Frequency” set?
Man, the casts were so good and so welcoming, and that can be tough Sometimes when you join a show midway through a series run.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
My advice would be to just get out there and do it. Learn to get as comfortable as you can in the uncomfortability of being in front of the camera or being on stage or looking your scene partner in the eye and really connecting with them. You might realize it’s not for you you , you might realize that it’s not an easy road to walk. But I assure you you’ll learn a hell of a lot about yourself, and no matter if you decide to continue with it or not, the takeaways about learning to really listen and reflect and respond, and to make eye contact translate just as well into the real world. These are skills everyone should have, and learn to hone.
What’s your favorite movie of all time?
The Shawshank redemption
How did you get started in acting?
I grew up modeling and doing commercials and industrials and radio voice overs for stuff like the WNBA. And after spending a couple years at the Naval Academy, I decided to head to New York and give it a go.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you have in the works?
I just finished a movie in Cleveland with Martin Sheen, Dennis Haysbert, and Jon Lovitz. A comedy called LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND.
My next movie is also a country music movie in which I star opposite Beau Bridges and Lee Bricem with music by Dallas Davidson and myself – THE NEON HIGHWAY – which will hit theaters this fall – the neonhighwaymovie.com
I have a song coming out June 30 – I MISS THAT TRUCK – that I wrote with Ben Stennis, who recently won the Grammy for best country song of the year for Cody Johnson’s ‘TIL YA CAN’T – you can pre-save it now! https://cmdshft.ffm.to/IMTT
Just Jake, starring Brittany Bristow and Rob Mayes, premieres Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. on UPtv. Get a preview below!
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