• Tweet

• Tweet

Photo Credit: Lesley Bryce

THE STAR SCOOP:
Hi Jaime, thanks for taking the time to do this interview! You’ve got a lot of projects in the works. Tell us more about what you’re up to.

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
Hi, glad to be part of this. I’ve just wrapped a movie with Jonathan Pryce and Maurice Bernard, it was directed by friends and fellow Long Islanders, The Gaudioso Twins. The film is called The Ghost and The Whale. It’s definitely a film to look out for. I play a twisted version of Edgar Allen Poe.

It’s about a man dealing with his wife’s death by communicating with a fictional whale. I’m also very excited about a pilot I just shot a pilot called “Basketball Wife” from the Emmy Award winning producer Michael Ajakwe Jr. Michael’s a mastermind of comedy.

My character is an actor who plays a cop on a TV show. I had an amazing time filming this and working with several TV veteran comedic actors. I laughed a ton during the shoot.

THE STAR SCOOP:
We know “Me, You and Five Bucks” has been really well received. What should people know about this film?

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
It’s not your typical popcorn flick. Not at all. It’s a slice of life film. It makes you have to learn about these characters and be alert as to what’s really going on. It’s one of those film where you will constantly keep asking questions.

THE STAR SCOOP:
You wrote, directed and acted in it. What challenges exist when you have so many roles to manage in one film?

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
The main challenge was lack of sleep and a hectic shooting schedule. Thankfully, I had a great production team behind me and a kick-ass Assistant Director. Getting 4-5 hours of sleep was the only resting time after 16 hour shoot days.

Directors have to be on set the entire time, though, as exhausting as it was, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I was wired and so excited this film was finally getting made. It was surreal.

THE STAR SCOOP:
Have you always been a writer? Or did you start acting and want to branch out into other aspects of the business?

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
It all began with acting and then I slowly began dabbling in writing and reading screenplays. I think I read Annie Hall by Woody Allen and was hooked. I loved that he wrote how people actually speak in everyday conversations.

I believe there is something very naturalistic and intimate about his writing. That aspect of writing is what I like. The chance to share a piece of yourself. It’s really just like acting, if you expose yourself in your work.

THE STAR SCOOP:
What can we expect from you in fall, winter and looking forward into 2014?

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
This fall I will I be acting in “Fear the Night,” a feature film written by Alberto Rodriguez and being directed by Christian Luna. It’s being produced by Suspect Filmworks, a Latino based produced company. I’m excited to work on this, as I studied acting with one of the film’s producers and stars, Manny Hernandez.

I recently acted in my friend’s independent pilot called “Shrader House,” which was produced by Inn-A-Circle Productions. Everyone really seems to be digging this. It’s a show about a group home in Brooklyn. Andre Royo from the “Wire” is also a producer and actor in it. I feel something big is headed our way with that.

I ‘m also acting in a really well written play. I play multiple characters in it. It premieres in Hollywood this September. In 2014 I hope to do a lot more stage work, possibly some in New York. That’s really where my heart is. And of course seeing Me You and Five Bucks in select theaters.

THE STAR SCOOP:
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you.

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
I skateboard almost everywhere.

THE STAR SCOOP:
Thanks again! Any last words or other info you want to share with our readers?

JAIME ZEVALLOS:
Go to Meyouandfivebucks.com for further updates on the film’s release. Oh yes, I wanted to give a shout out to Shahrooz Nateghi and Michelle Gracie for not only being talented actors but also being die-hard producers on this film. These two people are responsible for making one of my dreams come true. I wanted to say to all artists: just follow your gut because it will eventually pay off!

You can find me on Facebook or Twitter.