Jonathan Mariande

By Courtney in Actors and Actresses on May 29, 2009

Multi-Talented Artist Jonathan Mariande Talks About His Art

What do acting, photography, web design, and various A/V work all have in common? The answer is Jonathan Mariande, who has certainly proven his versatility in several artistic mediums. Whether he uses a computer, a camera, or just himself, Jonathan is definitely talented in many areas. He was kind enough to answer some questions for us.

You can visit Jonathan's website for more information.

When did you first realize your love for the arts and how did you go about further advancing your talents?

The middle school that I went to had a really good arts program. I got put into these classes in third grade; I remember we would go to an art room.... we would paint and play with different mediums. I don't ever remember being 'good'...but it was all about finishing anything you start. Our art teacher was always saying 'make sure you finish it and it's done.' That's what got me going. A lot of more talented people than me have started down this path, but it's the one's who never give up who get where they are going.

How and when did you get your first acting job?

My first professional acting job I got and shot last year. "P.O.E." is the title right now. I submitted for the project which was casting in Louisiana the month before I had planned to pass through that state on my move from North Carolina to California. I sent some photos and a reel of my previous work in some short films to the Director and he wanted to meet with me. We met for coffee and talked about what types of music we liked and South Lousiana where we both grew up. We hit it off immediately and he offered me a part. I'm really glad for the opportunity to do that first project and looking forward to it's release.

You have worked in numerous areas of the entertainment industry over the years. Which one do you find the most fulfilling and why?

Acting. I went to school with Directing in mind, but right now that's just not my focus. An actors dependent on his intuition and being in the moment. I've found I'm very good at being relaxed in a stressful situation and just being in that moment. For me there is nothing more fulfilling.

You're talented in acting as well as photography. Which interest came first?

Acting came first, making movies with my friends in the backyard and later productions in highschool with friends around our city. Photography is only something I recently started doing, not more than three or four years ago when my dad gave me his old 35mm camera. I really enjoy photography. I'm not much of a digital camera guy- I do like them, I just enjoy the old technicques because I am developing and training my eye to notice light. Digital cameras today need almost no artifical lights to shoot and they get great photos. Less art and more documenting reality.

What kind of camera are you using now?

It's a Minolta SRT100. I've got three lenses: 50 mm for portraits...just a nice piece of glass, you get really good focus. I have a 1000mm telephoto that I use mostly to shoot surf photography and things of that nature. I also have a macro lens. It's great for getting a good dept of field on very small things.

If you could choose between acting and photography, which would you choose and why?

I would choose acting. It's something I have to do. I think I'll always have a camera for taking photos but acting is really something you got to get lucky and get the chance to be able to do.

You worked on a web series called "IQ-145." How did that differ from traditional film and television work?

The whole concept with "IQ-145" was that we shot it all on green screen; Minus the actors, it was a digital world. There are certain things you have to take into account when you’re shooting on green screen. They had this glass sphere on the end of a broom stick that they would roll some tape on after shooting each scene with the actors. It was used to collect the reflections of the light in the room to later match the digital world to the world with the actors.

Speaking of the technical aspects, are you professionally trained in graphics, video, web design, etc. Or are you self-taught?

I’m self-taught, largely. However, one movie in particular I worked for a Cinematographer and he would use his digital SLR camera to take photos of every scene we were shooting in the movie. After picking the best picture, I would go onto our camera trucks computer workstation and adjust a few things to make the photos look how he specified. To this day I'm still using that technique for my still photography. I don't think it's something I would have figured out for many years on my own. The process I used was quite simple. I always adjusted, manually, The Levels, Color Balance, And Brightness/Contrast. In that order. It's amazing what that will do to a badly exposed photo.

Would you prefer people learning through professionals or by teaching themselves?

Well, professionals with education have the upper hand because they are a lot faster. That’s what it comes down to. It’s a time issue…whether you’re cutting in Final Cut Pro or drawing a picture in Illustrator, if you don’t know the short cuts and how the program works, you will waste a lot of time trying to figure it out as you go. Not to say you can't be self taught, I just think professionals with that knowledge of the software have the upper hand with the speed.

Right now you’re working with the band, Young Harry Trumans. Tell us a little more about that experience.

Well, the Young Harry Trumans, we’re just kind of talking right now but hopefully we'll get to a point where I'll shoot their music video for them. I got stuck on one of their songs; I love it. It’s called "Carousel Blonde," and I think to some people it could very well be their favorite song. Even if I don't have any part of making that video, I like the music and I hope the best for those guys. You know how music is…if you like it, you like it. Hopefully we can come up with something visual that will do the song justice but I'd be just as happy if someone came along with a lot of money to do a video proper for them tomorrow--

Besides the Young Harry Trumans, you’ve worked with numerous musicians. Do you have any musical aspirations yourself?

No. I do play guitar, I like guitar and I like to play on the piano sometimes, but music for me is kind of like when I’m drawing…it’s not so much the end product, it’s more like the feeling it gives you when you’re just focused on it and feeling it. So, I like to play my guitar to get the feeling of playing my guitar. Everyone’s got a few favorite songs they like to play over and over again, and I’ve definitely got my share of those that make me feel good.

As a whole, what is one thing you would change about the entertainment industry?

I wish I could participate in the biz and be closer to my family. It's hard being so far. It's a sacrifice.

Do you think you would have chosen a different path without Marlon Brando as an inspiration?

Marlon Brando is my favorite actor. Watching him work -- his eyes are powerful and captivating. But that's not to say I don't have other inspirations. I'm just largely a fan of 'On The Waterfront' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. As I mentioned I went to school for film making, so i'm a very big critical studies film geek. I think inspirations are the fuel that we turn to when times get tough. I personally need inspiration on those days when I'm stuck in a rut and start feeling despair. It's those 'what do I do next' days where inspiration to endure seems to make sense the most. To think anyone who came before me that I admire just became a moviestar overnight is foolish. It's about staying power. Brando worked his whole life and he was the best at it. What's not to be admired about that?

What advice would you have for people interested in using their artistic talents on T.V. and in movies?

I’ve found that whenever I give everything I’ve got on a project it comes back to me. Good Karma? There are no quick routes. Filmmaking is largely a time honored tradition. It's endurance and never giving up mixed with who you know. The only way to meet people, if you don't already, is to work, work, work. You never know who you impress with your attitude. If you’re trying to use your talents to get into something, just get around people doing it, offer them all the help you can, and then when you can’t help, figure out why. That’s the key; to make your self valuable and keep going till you finish.