Actor Jason Vendryes chatted about being a part of “Beyond the Gates” on CBS and “Ruthless” on BET+.
How was your experience in “Beyond The Gates” on CBS?
It has been such a wonderful experience! There is this fantastic family atmosphere and from my very first day, I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone is determined to create the best show possible.
A lot of thought that has gone into everything from the construction of the sets to the way each character speaks and everything in between.
Each day walking onto set has been exciting, and I think its a story line the fans are really going to enjoy! This is my first experience working on a soap and I couldn’t have been in better hands.
The writers, directors, producers, and my fellow castmates are all so talented!
What do you like most about your character on that show?
My character was so much fun to bring to life and very different from any other I’ve had the chance to portray to date. If I were looking for some of his characteristics that are similar to my own, I would say he is patient and determined. I think our similarities end there though.
How was your experience in “Ruthless” on BET+?
“Ruthless” is unlike any other show I’ve worked on. It feels like a stage play at times- there’s a lot of prep that goes in before filming. We shoot very fast – one or two takes per scene and multiple episodes in a day.
You need to know your arc for the season and be very familiar with all the material before day one.
I love how immersive the set is for this show; Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta is one of the most beautiful production studios in the world!
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
I have a love/hate relationship with the digital age. I love the tech side of things as far as advancements in cameras, lighting, processing power, and visual effects.
The barrier of entry has gotten easier- these days, you can get together with friends and create some really great looking films or shows at an independent level.
On the flip side, I miss having the shared experience of a sold out theater on a Friday night, and the discussions of anticipation for hard scheduled TV. It’s also hard keeping up with all the great shows that are out there now and which platform they’re on.
I have a similar love/hate feeling towards social media. It’s great being able to connect with people around the world, but it’s too easy to get distracted by it… or be so focused on capturing a moment to share on your socials that you miss living in that moment.
We’ll see how AI plays out in all of this. Its getting harder to distinguish what’s real on social media. On a production side, I hope its used more as a creative tool than a content creator.
What do your plans for the future include?
I’m in a feature film releasing at Tribeca Festival this year called “One Spoon of Chocolate.” It was written and directed by RZA and features an extremely talented cast including Shameik Moore, Paris Jackson, Blair Underwood, Michael Harney, and more.
The world premiere is June 8, with additional screenings June 9 & 12. I’m also in a fun family film, Pet Investigators, which will be distributed by Shout! Studios later this year.
It’s the story of a group of young teens trying to solve the mystery of missing pets in their neighborhood and stars Sean Astin, David Faustino, Corin Nemic, and Naomi Grossman.
I’m really excited about a period sports drama I did with Neal McDonough, coming soon.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
Do the work, give it time, and make sure you truly love the art. Build yourself a community of other artists that not only lift you up and hold you accountable, but also inspire you.
Find activities that you love outside of acting as well. A lot of actors fully immerse themselves with only acting, which can lead to feeling burned out. And speaking of that, it’s also okay to take little breaks to recharge.
What does the word success mean to you?
Success is about finding balance for me. As long as I can fulfill myself creatively, spend time with people I love, pay my bills, and have a little time and money left over for some adventures, I consider that success.
To learn more about actor Jason Vendryes, follow him on Instagram.
