As an artist, Jesslyn Blue wears many hats: author, poet, editor, model, educator, tarot reader, host, and curator. Above all, she’s a super dope person who contributes to the culture every day.
As one of the most respected poets to emerge in New York’s famed underground scene, when did you realize that you had a gift with words?
I started writing when I was twelve: poetry, fan fiction (BtVS forever!), and short fiction. This weird emo kid who read horror and romance novels in the back of the class. Called herself a hippie-goth. Don’t ask. I realized I was in love with words at twelve, but realized I was gifted with words in 8th grade when my teacher, and editor of the school arts magazine, pulled me aside and told me I had to basically dumb down my poem before she published it in the next issue. She was afraid it was over everyone’s heads.
With some of your favorite poems in mind, what are the key things an aspiring poet work on before performing on stage?
Content. Emotion. Confidence. Your content has to be sharp. Write. Revise. Edit. Before even practicing with the piece, it needs to be in its best form. I never want to classify what a “best form” is as I feel that varies from writer to writer. We all have our own style and the beauty of poetry is that you have the option to not have rules: free form.
You are also an accomplished fashion and promotional model, was acting always your goal?
Acting was not always my goal; my goal was always, and still is, to be a captivating writer. Through the skills I accumulated over the years acting became a goal. I started acting in theater club in 9th grade. Practicing and blocking became second nature. My performance poetry and modeling only added to my acting skills later on. It was about a year ago when I had an astrology reading that I committed it as a goal. The astrologer pushed me to pursue acting as she saw success in my future.
Share with us what you look for in a script when considering whether to take on a role.
I consider the story-line, the role, and the overall message. The story-line needs to be dynamic and engaging. It has to catch my interest and be a film I am proud to spend my time and effort taking part in, as there will be long hours on set getting the artistic vision just right. The role should be challenging and interesting, but I will never turn down a pop up one liner that kills! In regards to the overall message, I have to feel it does not go against my morals. Everything you do as an artist is a reflection of you.
Having done background work on popular television shows including Orange is the New Black and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, describe what an average day on a set is like for our readers.
An average day on set is long. Become a coffee drinker if you are not already. You could start as early as 6am or as late at 5pm, but be prepared for a 10-12 hour day. Once you arrive to your holding location, you check in, get your payment paperwork, and have a complimentary breakfast. From there, you have to see and be approved by the wardrobe, hair, and makeup departments. The PA’s or the AD’s go through the scenes that are being shot for the day. Most of your day is spent on set filming or in holding as they prepare the cameras, sets, and principle actors for the next scene. You meet some of the most amazing, hardworking, and talented people on set and behind the scenes. Always a great opportunity to network!
Being a woman with experience in several facets of the entertainment industry, do you feel that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements has made it safer for women in the business?
Those movements have pushed the conversation about sexual harassment to women in all facets of the workplace, especially in the entertainment industry. I feel it has become a preventative measure for our safety. Men may think twice about their conduct around women. The whistle has been blown and this issue and their indiscretions will no longer be swept under the rug.
Have you experienced harassment in your career?
Unfortunately, I have. Count me as another among the #MeToo movement. There have been clients and fans that have taken their admiration of my body too far. I have had to turn down work due to this.
Co-hosting Darkside Radio on WVMR New York and featuring underground artists, what advice would you offer them as far as making the transition into the industry?
My advice is to take yourself and your craft seriously. Research other artists in the same genre or field. You do not have to reinvent the wheel. See what works for you and what doesn’t in regards to achieving your personal success. Learn from others. Research your craft and study the skills necessary for it. Research opportunities. Barter and trade services. Be social media savvy and do not be shy! Networking is key. But the most important advice is to not be afraid to fail. Einstein dropped out of high school.
Tell us your opinion of the music industry seemingly abandoning artist development, focusing more on social media analytics?
This move by the music industry is detrimental to the artist and their craft. Songs used to have more substance. Ingenuity. By focusing on social media analytics, they are only focusing on popularity, which can fade and create fads. They are losing out on creating legacies and longevity with artists. Losing out on allowing the artist to reach their fullest potential.
BE’N ORIGINAL
