Cameron Hanes - Keep Hammering Collective - KHC 017 - Joel Courtney

Episode Date: April 12, 2023

Joel Courtney is an American actor known his role in the film Super 8 and for his starring role in Netflix's The Kissing Booth film series. Joel is currently starring in the hugely successful film, Jesus Revolution.   Follow along: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronhanes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camhanes/ Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com   Connect with Joel Courtney: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_courtney/ Jesus Movie: https://www.instagram.com/jesusrevolutionmovie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneydauwalter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/joel_courtney?lang=en   Thank you to our sponsors: Santa Cruz Medicinals: scmedicinals.com use code KeepHammering for 15% off Keytone IQ: https://hvmn.com/CAM use code CAM for 20% Black Buffalo: https://blackbuffalo.com/discount/CAM use code CAM for 15% off MTN OPS Supplements: https://mtnops.com/ Use code KEEPHAMMERING for 20% off and Free Shipping First Light: https://www.firstlight.farm/ Use Code Cam15 for 15% off your first order Leupold: https://www.leupold.com/ Black Rifle: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/ Use code KEEPHAMMERING for 20% your first order Hoyt: http://bit.ly/3Zdamyv Bass Pro/Cabelas: https://www.basspro.com   Timestamps: 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:45 Life as an actor 0:03:30 Loving what you do 0:06:40 Connecting through Jesus Revolution 0:08:42 Epic day in Eugene 0:11:00 Jesus Revolution crushing the box office 0:14:00 What does the success of the movie mean to you? 0:18:18 A Christian cast 0:21:38 Growing up in the industry 0:24:47 More work in Hollywood then ever before 0:26:42 New audition techniques 0:33:10 Working with icons 0:35:32 Super 8 0:38:00 The struggle to remember lines 0:44:00 Joel’s favorite actor 0:47:00 Method acting  0:51:00 Not playing it safe 0:59:20 Price of greatness 1:05:04 Joel’s faith journey 1:11:12 “The Purpose” is worth it 1:13:01 Seeing God’s hand in Joel’s career 1:18:40 Touching people through film 1:25:30 Help of Greg Laurie 1:28:53 Joel’s parents reaction 1:36:00 Closing  

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of the podcast a 15% discount using code cam 15 at stateclub.1.1stlight.farms. The link will be in the show notes of the podcast for those interested. All right. Well, this is the Keep Hammering Collective with Joel Courtney. How are you doing? Doing great. Yeah? Yeah, a little tight in the chest from yesterday's workout, but it feel great. We had an epic lift-run shoot day yesterday. That we did. Yeah. Thank you for coming to Oregon. and I learned that you had been through Oregon a number of times growing up. I have been, yes. When I was traveling to and from Los Angeles to my home in Moscow, Idaho,

we would drive up and down the West Coast. So I've been through Eugene multiple times. I've never stopped. I don't think we would usually stop in like Northern California. We would do about two 10-hour days and then that's the road trip. So what about when you say, dad, I got to go to the bathroom? Then you had like a gallon water jug back there? Yeah, we would pretty much knock it out quick.

Rule in the family is you only stop for gas. Gotcha. And then if you need to go, then that's when you go. And you better not need to go before then. That's how we did road trips. Well, hey, I know how it works because I had kids too and there's a pretty epic story about I was doing a marathon over in the gorge. And my kids were young.

And so my mom was coming over to watch. It's my first marathon, actually. And one of the kids had to go to the bathroom. And trying to hold it, trying to hold it. And you know when you're a kid, you like have some pee stream. That you could, you can pee like across this room. Yes, seriously. You don't know it.

But when you get older, that changes. Anyway, so trying to go in a. a pop bottle or a Gatorade bottle or something, and they got loose and shot all up over the, I think, on my mom's head and on the ceiling of the car. And yeah, so, I mean, that's under pressure, but I can't stop. Yeah. Can't stop. Got to get to the destination. Yeah, seriously. Gotta keep driving. Yeah. Well, I was saying you're my first, I said you're my first movie star before we started recording. And then you said, well, no, Cowboy was here. You've had Cowboy. And it's true. Cowboy has been a star in movies.

Yeah. And, um, but I mean, I don't know. You're kind of known this, your entire life and essentially has been acting in movies, right? It has. Yes. I started at the age of 14. Uh, and I'm 13 years into a career. Yeah.

Which feels wrong to say. Right. Because, uh, I mean, first off, I'm only 27. So like, that's just weird. Yeah. To conceptualize that that is how long I've been doing this. And then on top of that, it's just so fun, you know, the old saying, love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life.

Right. I kind of disagree. I don't think if you're working hard, then like you don't love it enough. But, I mean, you know, I think there's a little, there's an ounce of truth to the old saying. Yeah. Yeah. So what's the moral to the story that you don't feel like you're working because you enjoy it? I have so much fun.

Sixth, 10-hour days. Yeah. 14, 12, it doesn't really matter. They're just fun. Yeah. I have a good time. That's awesome. It helps to have a good cast and crew.

But I've always seen from my perspective that I can't control other people's experience on set. And so all I need to do is handle my mindset. right and um if someone's having a bad day just don't let it drag me down because that'll only make my day even worse because it is it is still work you know i mean so for some people who maybe don't have your attitude they're just going to work right and some days you have good days at work some days you're not into it some days you're not into it some days you got things going on at home so that does for some actors probably weigh in on the performance i i i would guess right absolutely And from the acting side of it, we are, we're babyed.

We are taking care of. Pampered a little bit. We are pampered to the max. And it just feels bad sometimes because the crew or the people that are working harder, they're there before us on set. They are leaving after us. And their days are longer. So when I say I have a 16 hour day, that means someone had an 8. to 20 hour day.

Right. And so... That doesn't have their name in lights. And they get no lights. Yeah. And not nearly enough, like, recognition. Right. So I catch myself complaining and not being as maybe grateful,

thankful as I should be. And then I remember those people that I meet that are working longer days and physically harder days. acting is not very physical unless you're, you know, doing John Wick. Yeah. We talked, I wanted you in John Wick five because I'm like, I think, you know, dark hair, you're young. Maybe it's like we go back to the beginning of John Wick. So I got you cast there.

Let's just sprinkle that out there and see what comes back. Put it in the universe. Pray about that. No, I understand. I mean, that does make sense. Yeah, I mean, but your perspective is a pretty healthy one because a lot of people, they think how they feel is all that matters. But you have that perspective like,

no, I'm actually doing this. I'm getting pampered. It is a long day, but look at all these guys putting in more time. And yeah, I mean, it'd be great if everybody could see the big picture like that. Yeah, but even my perspective of the big picture is my way. I mean, someone else might see it a little differently

and that could be valid in and of itself. True. Yeah. Well, it's crazy because so you're starring in the movie Jesus Revolution. It's been out. And, you know, we went and saw the movie and I was sitting there watching it. And I'm like, man, this is, you know, we've talked about this. But sometimes these faith-based movies, you know, man, you want to like them.

And they're just like, ooh, it's pretty corny or pretty whatever. And this one, I'm like, this is a great movie. These guys, I mean, what a message, what a movie. But then I was watching, I was watching you. And I'm like, I don't think I know that kid. I think that kid might follow me. And so we're watching it. And then I come home and I look at my phone.

And I'm like, oh, yeah, Joel Courtney. This is, yeah, I don't know if we'd send messages before. But so I sent you message. And I said, hey, just saw Jesus Revolution. Great job. And here we are. Here we are. Now we did a lift run shoot.

Oh, man. It's such a legendary day. And I have been following you for a while. I remember the first time I heard your name, I was watching Rogan's show. And he was talking to David Goggins. And there was some sort of race you guys were going to do. And I think Joe was saying something along the lines of set a number. Right.

You have to set a number if you two are going to race because you both are men that will not stop. Right. Yeah. Unless there's like a number. Yeah. Like, hey, we're going to run this far.

Not open ended. Yeah. Set a mile marker that you're going to stop at. Not run till death. I was like, who is going to run with David Gagins? Mm-hmm. And so then I went and found one of your episodes. I'm like, okay, this is, this guy is awesome.

And, I mean, it's been humbling and just the best day yesterday. Oh, it was great. So thankful to have men like you showing the younger generation how to do it. Oh, well, you did you did good. I mean, it was an epic day for sure. I mean, you shot the bow. First time shooting in compound and you shot so well. It was amazing.

I mean, at the bow rack, I could see that you really, Wayne wasn't there, sadly. Yeah. That hurts. I was really looking forward to meeting Wayne and hearing some, like, wisdom from him. I know. And he loves to give it out. And he's the herd bull, so no better person to have it come from. But Trent did a great job with you.

Phenomenal. The bow rack, their staff is incredible. But so we got you set up. And I could tell how you're shooting. And I'm like, follows instructions. Well, just kind of a natural with, you know, technique and shooting and watching that arrow go where it's supposed to. So I was excited.

But then we got out, out at Wains and 100 yards just dialed in. Yeah. Watching that balloon pop was pretty sweet. One of the coolest feelings, I think, I felt in a long time. We were saying it's like the most pure version of instant gratification. Yes. But it's not not really. Not really because it's earned.

Right. You know, we went to the bow rack. We dialed in the bow. We set it up. Trent got it locked in practically the point where it shoots itself. Yeah. You know. And that's just.

how good the Hoyts are. Yeah. And so getting to see the balloon pop, it feels like an instant gratification because you release and it's probably two seconds. Probably not even that. Maybe not even that. Yeah. It's going so fast.

Right. And then you see the pop and you're like, yes. I know. That's so cool. That's why I love to do it because it is, it's just that marker of success and everybody, you can't help a smile, you know? Yeah. It overcomes you.

Yeah. Just like, it's an explosion of joy. Maybe you're acting because you're an actor. Maybe you were actually, you weren't happy, but you like sold me on it. Is that what it was? Honestly, I didn't care. I couldn't, I couldn't give. Yeah.

Well, good job. I bought it, Hookland and Seeker. Well, I did want to say that so this whole thing started with Jesus Revolution. And I mean, how that movie has, I just looked this morning just so I'd have something to talk about here. but it was like over $50 million in box office. How sweet does that feel? It feels amazing. Yeah.

And that is for multiple reasons. I mean, 50 million is, that's a big number. Yeah. So in and of itself, that's amazing. From another direction, we filmed for six weeks. And so I was on set every single day except for one or two, I want to say. And so being on almost every single day, seeing the crew work every single day, seeing the directors put in their heart and soul into this film, praying over it,

seeing the producers put all of themselves into it. It felt really incredible watching the box office numbers go up, seeing the payoff for so many people's hard work. Right. For years. John Irwin, the director, he also wrote it. He's been wanting to make this film for almost eight years. And so having a story on his heart for such a long period of time,

I am beyond thrilled for him. Right. you know to see this uh this piece of art that he's so passionate about and he's given so much time to uh be an enormous success right and then also on top of that uh the hollywood projections for our opening weekend were six seven maybe eight million maybe eight right and then we hit 15 15.7 million in the opening weekend. And so it felt pretty good to like not considering the projections haters, but it's good to prove your haters wrong. Yeah. No, that always feels good. That's a great feeling. It is. Yeah, it's just a little bonus. I mean, but I think the point you made

about the director and his vision and seeing that success, that's amazing. But then also, yeah, a little bonus is, you guys were wrong too in this projection. What do you think the success? of Jesus revolution means. I mean, it is, you know, we spoke of it a little bit, but, you know, in this day and age, you wonder where faith is fitting in society.

I mean, we have a dollar bill that says, what does it say? One nation under God. And now it's like, it feels like the powers that be are trying everything they can to push us away from God and away from faith and away from. So what do you think that the success of this movie means?

I think that the success of this show and this film across the nation shows that there's a desire for an art form that shows a faith that someone recognizes as their own. I think the Christian community is out there. And like you were saying earlier, some faith-based films are kind of cheesy or low production value, a little, not gimmicky, but just like a little less than. Right. You know, and I mean, huge shout out to Lionsgate for taking a chance on a film called Jesus Revolution. Right. That's going right after it.

That's amazing. That's going right. Yeah. Yeah. And so many people read the script, recognized. this is going to reach an audience that we need to see if they're still active. And this was a little bit of a trial run for studios to see if the Christian community was still going to theaters and putting their dollars towards supporting films that they want

to see. Because it seems even to me sometimes like the Christian community is just, given up on Hollywood and that they're just letting it go. But if you take your dog out of the race, then all that's going to be in theaters is something that you don't want to see. Yeah. You know, I think there was an article saying that Jesus Revolution made more money than three or four of the films nominated for Best Film for Oscars. Wow. And so it's like you see the difference between a film that does well with an audience and then films that Hollywood makes to make Hollywood feel good and look good and we're doing art you know and I think Jesus Revolution

successfully did artistically put out a beautiful faith-based film that doesn't pull any punches you know it doesn't show that life gets easy once you become a Christian right uh and it's not judgmental. It's just full of grace and love. And I think that's a story that America is dying to see. Yeah, I thought it was good too that, you know, every church, they struggle with, you know, new people coming in because you got sure your members have been there for a million years, right?

Every Sunday they're there and maybe they're quiet and they're fine, they support. And then you get new people coming in. How do we get the younger generation involved? And I think I think the movie showed I mean how that dynamic works and it can be challenging sometimes, you know, because the new, the younger generation is much different than the older, older generation. But we're still part of the same Christian community and how does that, how do you coexist? And and as the movie, there are growing pains in like a church move. We've had churches around here that grew and were just huge. And then you're like, man, are they just appealing?

Are they trying to water it down to appeal to more people? Or is it, are we actually reading the Bible and going by scripture? Or is it more of a feel good thing? You know what I mean? And I got kind of picked up on that in the movie about there's going to be challenges. I mean, it's not easy. But if it is rooted in faith and scripture, that it can work and it did work.

And the movie, I think, I don't know, I thought the story was great. I thought the actors, including you, it was just so believable and so real. And I was curious, now I know your story a little bit, but you are a Christian. And so that was a pretty natural role for you to play. It felt like.

How about the other actors? I mean, do they feel the same about Christianity as you? Yeah. So I'm Christian. Jonathan Rumi is Catholic. Anna Grace Barlow is Christian. I mean, we're just, we all have maybe different ways of, that we came to the faith, as everyone has their own individual and distinct story.

Right. But, I mean, the cast was full of Christians. And I think that is one of the reasons why it came across and was so impactful in the way that it was done. Right. It's true to the people making the movie. Yeah. It's true to us in a level that is achievable by an terrific actor who's not Christian, but comes so naturally to an actor who is a Right.

Like we were talking about Prefontein films. Yes. Where was the guy crippled? Not crum. No, Billy Crude up. Crude up, sorry. So he, you know, looked like a runner. Yes.

And he executed it well. I don't know if he was a runner, but, you know, it came naturally to him. He even matched his stride and he executed the role. Mannerisms, yeah. And he ran like Prefontein. Right. which is what you want to do. And so I'm not saying that you have to cast someone who's a runner to play Prefontein,

but it sure would help. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. And so I think the directors did a great job choosing who they chose, myself included, very thankful. Well, I looked, you know, when I looked up those box office numbers, it said starring and you were the top, top name. That must feel amazing.

It does. Honestly, I'm not going to lie. It feels incredible. It's an honor to be recognized for your work. You know, that feels good. The trick is not letting it go to your ego. Well, you won a Teen Choice Award. So, I mean, you've been recognized.

I did. Yeah, that's right. Oh, man, that was forever ago. I forgot about that. Yeah. When I said, I looked up to Wikipedia and it said, you'd actually been nominated for quite a few awards and want a couple. I mean, so to your point of your 27, you've been acting for 13 years,

you've almost been acting for as long as you've done anything. So for 14 years, you didn't do, I think you were a kid, you didn't do anything. And now since that time, you've almost matched that existence with acting. So pretty soon you're going to be acting more than you've done anything in your life. That is wild to think about. I hadn't considered it that way. Yeah, it's amazing. I just, you know, the Hollywood scene seems like it's hard for a normal person to relate to. So, and I have, I mentioned that I just watched a documentary on a child actor. And how was that, how was that growing up in the industry? I mean, it sounds like you've enjoyed the whole process, right?

Has there been struggles? There have been struggles. It's very competitive to be an actor. You know, you're living in L.A. and the whole city wants to be an actor. They want to, you know, make it onto the big screen or be on TV, which has become extremely prominent recently. In the last probably seven or eight years,

TV has really stepped up to the point where it is equally as prestigious as film. You mean like TV like Netflix or like sitcoms? Like Netflix? Okay. Like short series, 10 episodes only, really deep, dark, solid performances. It used to be that film was the goal.

You would go through TV to make your break onto the big screen. Right. But now, I mean, you see people, I mean, the morning show with Jennifer Anderson and Reese Swoon. I mean, that show is. wonderfully created, wonderfully done. The acting is terrific.

The storyline is, you know, it's spot on. You know, I'm a little behind on it, but it used to be that movies was where you wanted to get to. TV has become,

you know, fighting grounds. Yeah, for sure. And it's really cool to see. It's fun to be. in that industry and yeah the industry is so weird yeah and like you were saying it it's hard for people outside to see themselves in the industry yeah and I mean another reason why I was so excited and passionate to do a Christian film is so that people could see themselves or see something

of themselves in yeah in Hollywood you know right something that they believe in you know like I said earlier except for themselves I think it was it was a great story and I think you guys, and I think a lot of people could see themselves. And like I said, all churches kind of have that same struggle. It feels, or not all, I can't speak for all churches. But I think that's a common struggle is making sure we're still reaching the younger generation while staying true to the belief. Yeah, you know, speaking of Netflix and TV, like normally I'll go, okay, is there a good movie to watch?

So, man, it's hard finding. Like, you seem like you watch the same old movies all the time because you're like, man, we need a new good movie. And it's like, there's a lot of movies out, but are there good ones? And then you go to the Netflix and you watch, then you look at scroll through Netflix originals and what's new on, and there is some awesome series on Netflix. And they are, to your point, killing it and including these big names. So it's, yeah, I mean, there's probably more opportunity for work than maybe there's, was as an actor.

And that must be exciting. That's absolutely true. There's more work than there's ever been. The flip side of that coin is that there are more people who are capable of booking the job than ever before as well. More competition. It used to be that you had to be in L.A. And you had to be in the room with the casting director.

and they can only see so many people, you know. Right. But now what it's become after COVID, and it started a little bit before COVID, but it really, it became the pretty much sole way of auditioning is doing a self-tape, which is recording yourself doing the scene with someone reading with you off camera. And so you basically do your audition and then upload it,

your link to the casting director so that they can, watch it and then if they like you then the conversation moves forward of let's do it again or we want to see something a little different or we'll have you come to l.A. so that we can meet you in person. You know that that it is a big change I would guess but I think you mentioned that how you look on camera is actually all that matters because you can have a perfect presentation or or you deliver the lines or the role whatever in person perfectly but if it doesn't translate to camera where everybody's going to watch it then it doesn't really I mean the key is like how do you perform on camera not in person because it's not a play because it's not a play yeah and uh is that I mean is it is a is a hard

to have somebody sitting there filming you to just kill the lines or is you just used to it uh I've become used to it. It used to be weird to have cameras in my face. It used to be weird, you know, doing a performance in front of people. But it has become an art form. It's become an outlet for myself. And I love it. And it goes great. My wife does all my additions with me. She's terrific. So she films? She, well, we set the camera up. We roll the camera. Oh. And then she and I, we do the scene together. Gotcha. And then. we'll cut the camera and was that good we wanted to switch something up like let's do it again and then if we like one we'll watch it like is this good enough okay do you think it's easier to do it

um do those with your wife right there doing it or easier or is it easier to get into the role when you know the director's actually watching I mean you can have more takes probably with your wife yes because you can just screw up say you know whatever get frustrated you can't be frustrated with the director No, you can't. Yeah, it's not good to be frustrated on like a first, first time meeting some people. Yeah, interaction. And you're like, God, this guy's crazy.

Not diva. Yeah, not this guy. But with your wife, you can, you know, throw all sorts of tantrums, right? It's absolutely true. Yeah. She's awesome. And like you were saying with multiple takes, I remember I was doing this audition and I was trying to do a long island act. accent. And it was an audition that I was doing with my wife. And it took me two hours because I'm,

I'm just not great with accents. And so that was one of the great things about doing the audition with my wife. I got it down. Yeah. I got it pretty good. You can workable. You know, I got through every single line and like it was there. And it did well. What was a line? Oh, no, I can't do it now. This was two years ago. I think you remember the line. I think you remember the line. I don't remember any of the lines. All I remember is you have to add a G. So you have to say like Long Island. Oh, that's having pretty good. But that's all I know how to say. But do you think it's like kind of false advertisement that it took you a thousand takes to get this and then you send it? And then they're like, oh, he's perfect. And you get there and you're like, okay, we're going to be here a

while, guys. This is going to take me a really long time. Yeah. This took a whole deal. This took a whole day to get the scene. One scene. Yeah. Two hours. Right. I could see where it'd be, because I know when I, I mean, I don't do anything, but I do have to say some things like with sponsors and I get so mad.

I mean, if they watch me like on my screw-ups, they'd be like, this guy's a lunatic. So, but then when you see the final result, it's just like, oh, man, he did great. Did great. So, yeah, it's like, I could see what it would be, I mean, good in one aspect. Not great in another. Absolutely. Long Island. No, I try to say it again.

I'm from Long Island. So how'd that roll go? Did you get the part? No. No, I did not. Yeah. I mean, accents must just be tough.

You know, I watched, that reminds me, I watched a cliff of Margot Robbie, who, she seems like like the most perfect female, If you just like from the outside in, you're just like, wow. But anyway, she's from, I think, Australia. And she was doing like a Long Island accent.

And she was saying like, well, you just talk with your hands. Like she had her hands out like this all the time and like talk. And then all of a sudden she was talking like a New York or something. I was like fascinated by how you can go from Australian accent to a New Yorker accent. And I'm like, man, these guys are good. They're good. And there are, there's tricks, you know, to getting a sound right. I actually working on accents is probably something that I need to apply myself to

because it opens up so much opportunity for work. But I've worked with dialect coaches who train you to hear the sounds and say the sounds. Like adding the G. But then also there's these little tricks that they do like the hands. Yeah. Like you add the hands in and it becomes a characterization. of like the women in Long Island, you know, they talk with their hands or whatever Margo was saying in that video.

And it works. Yeah. There's little things. It's just like, how does that work? I don't know, but it totally does. I know when I, I had to read my book and it was like, I didn't think it was going to be that hard, right? I mean, because I can talk, I can read, but I read to myself.

I don't read out loud. So it's not like maybe when my kids were little, I'd read up. No, I never even did that. but probably their mom did. But anyway, it's like reading out loud and not screwing up. Like, again, if you had the outtakes from that, you'd be like, what is wrong with this guy? But I found that if I, like, did this and, like, said each word and it was hit my hand. And, like, I would get in kind of a rhythm reading.

That would help. Nice. And I don't know. Why? I have no idea. No idea. But it works. Yeah.

It was like this cadence. I had to get in a cadence of reading smooth. And if I didn't, it didn't. it just didn't come out as well. Yeah. I don't know. It's weird how the brain, maybe that was just me,

but you saying that kind of reminded me of that. It's true. There's little things, I think, in like the psyche and a physicalization, they're linked. And so sometimes if you link the physical and the verbal,

physical, and the mental, then it executes well. Right. And I, I have no idea why, but it worked. And besides, I really liked your book. I remember when you message me, I was like in chapter two or three already.

I was loving it. Oh, thank you. It was really good. Thank you. Yeah, it's, you know, I probably wouldn't have done it, but the book publisher thought it would be a success. And I'm like, okay, I guess. But I'm glad you liked it.

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Yeah, I mean, that's incredible being a young actor to, I mean, those are two iconic people right there. And you've been in what, 17 or so films, but what do you take away from working? with icons in the industry like that. Did you, and did you have any course, did you work with them or was it mostly the direct, like the, Spielberg was a director, but were you working with him at all? So Spielberg was actually the producer.

Producer, okay. J.J. Abrams was the director of Super 8. Oh, that's still a big name. Huge. Yeah. He is, he's hard to keep up with. His mind is one of, of those that just never shuts off. You can see the cogs spinning and he's just constantly

working through problems and problem solving. And he's also such a people person. He has built this crew, at least this was my experience on Super 8, that he finds people that he likes and he works well with and he sees that they respect people and they work well with others and he brings them back to work with him again okay and so he's put together uh on super eight this well-oiled machine probably one of the most like can uh cohesive cohesive cohesive cohesive uh cohesive crews that i've ever worked with they they knew each other they worked well they've got so much history and experience with each other. It feels like a family.

And that was my first job. So that was my first experience. Wow. How old were you then? So you were 14. 14. I was 14. It's my first job.

I had no idea what I was doing. It was like grabbing onto a train that's already going 60 miles. Yeah. Getting like pulled away. And I've loved every step of it. What did you? What was that movie? What did you do in that movie?

What was your role? So I played Joe Lamb. He is the son of the sheriff, not the sheriff, one of the deputies in town. Okay. And there's a huge train accident. And me and my group of friends, we are filming a little Super 8 film to try to get it entered into like a film festival. Okay. And so the night we're filming, there's a huge train accident.

Nice. And good material. Good material. Production value. Yeah. One of the lines that one of the characters yells. Okay. And it's so good.

Yeah. And we, we discover later that we have caught on film an alien escaping from one of the train cars. Nice. And so the Air Force comes in. There's corruption. There's bad guys. There's good guys. And it's a coming of age story.

It's fun. It's lighthearted. It's entertaining. Yeah. And I look back. Yes. To the business. Yeah.

Well, maybe. Yes and no. Because then I went to work on other films. I was like, oh. Yeah. It's not all like that.

It's not a well-oiled machine on everyone. It's not always an oiled machine. Do you, so he said he, you said JJ was a very much a people person. So are there directors or producers who aren't who you're like, oh my God. I don't,

I, you know, you know you screw up that's bad enough but then they're also upset does that happen absolutely yeah yeah uh everyone has bad days everyone has good days uh but i've definitely worked with producers and directors who seem to only have bad days from the outside that's what it looks like who's the worst producer you've ever not just kidding i don't know i don't know if i want to say that he'll never hire me again no i know i'm just kidding but yeah I mean, it is, and again, I don't know anything about anything,

but I know the more pressure you put on yourself, almost the harder it gets to deliver a line. So it's like when you don't want to screw up, that's when you screw up. I mean, I don't know. Yeah. It's for me anyway. Absolutely.

No, it's totally true. There was one day on Super 8 where we, J.J. added a scene. Mm-hmm. Totally new. It wasn't in the script. He was working through the stuff that we're going to film the next day. He realized, oh, there's something we need to, like, just put it in here.

And it's this little small scene where my friends and I were filming our little movie outside one of these houses that the Air Force is ransacking. And so we're using them as, like, background actors. But it's the Air Force actually rummaging through this house and destroying it and finding all these like scientific paperwork and stuff. And, and so JJ wrote us a scene to do outside the real scene that's happening in the background with the airfries. And I did not know how to memorize lines at the time.

And so what I would do is I would work on scenes for the entire week. So if we're filming on Monday, I would know and start working on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. So that by the time I got to Friday, it was ready. And then on Tuesday, I would add Monday and Tuesday to the next week. Right. So I had to work on my lines a week out and then walk that week forward as we moved through production. And he wanted to add this like on the fly.

He threw it in the day of. He's like, this is just going to be short little scene. It's going to be 30, 45 minutes on set. No worries. Just like throw your lines out there and just have fun with it. I'm like, I can't. I can't do that. Yeah.

I do not. And so it was one of the worst days of my life. So hard. I had a panic attack because I was going to fail. Yeah. I was going to fail JJ Abrams. I had a panic attack. And I couldn't remember anything because all I had was 30 minutes with the lines.

And now I could do that easy. Right. But at the time I was 14. This was my first job. I didn't have any tricks. I didn't know how to do the stuff. I was faking my way through a film at the age of 14. And J.J. Abrams just made it look good.

And so what they were doing was I would try to say the line. I'd get it wrong. And then someone was just feeding me my lines from off camera, like yelling them to me. And then I would say them. And then someone would tell me my next line. And then I would say it to the actor across me, Gabe. and worst day on set of my life.

It's probably hard to deliver lines believably when you're just kind of repeating what somebody says, right? Absolutely. Because you haven't had time to work through it yourself. Absolutely. Yeah. It's nice to discover, you know, the lines in yourself, in your character,

and say them in a way that your character would say them, which is why some actors lose their minds when directors give line readings. When they say, oh, it's not, don't say your pizza just came out of the oven. Say, oh, your pizza just came out of the oven. Actors, like, do not tell me how to say my lines. Oh, really? Some of them lose it.

And it really, it gets in your head because once the director says, this is the right way to do it, it becomes you've been doing it wrong. It becomes you've been doing it wrong, and there's only one right way of saying that line. where you could say the line a million different ways and it would just be just as authentic as the exact way that the director likes the line to be said. Right. You know?

And so there becomes this standard that it's held up against. So it gets into people's minds. I bet. I bet. Yeah, I mean, you saying that like you had this system for remembering your lines and like throwing in on the fly, it didn't really work. Remind me, have you seen the movie Whiplash? Yes.

So somehow the music score book or whatever the drummer was going by, they lost it. And then Miles Teller said, well, I remembered it in this. And who's the, who's that, God, the head actor or the actor of that one? J.K. Simmons. Yes, yeah. So obviously he was mad. He's like, can you do that? And he's like, no, I can't do it because I have to have the book.

and then Miles Taylor said I can do it. But it reminded me of that, like, yeah, I mean, he, the first chair drummer had a process. He had to have the music there in front of them. And without it, he couldn't do it. So it kind of reminded me of your situation there at 14. Terrific film. Oh, my goodness. I assume the director wasn't like, who was the head, say the lead actor in that movie again?

J.K. Simmons. Yeah. I assume he didn't have that. that same attitude. No. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Because that would, that would be tough. I mean, I love that movie. J.K. Simmons is a psycho, but I do love the pushing to be the best and like demanding excellence.

I do like that part. He was a little over the top, though. Definitely over the top. Oh, what was it? He threw like a chair at one of his students. And I think it's one of the, I think it's maybe one of the first times he kind of like snaps.

Mm-hmm. in in camera with, I think, Miles Teller, actually, like, experiencing it. He was like, okay, okay, it's fine. Yeah, first he was, like, kind of being supportive. Just have fun. Just have fun. And then, boom, here comes a chair.

Yeah. Yeah, it's intense. Oh, man, J.K. Simmons is so good. Yeah. Have you ever worked with him? I have not. Hmm. I've auditioned for a few things that he's starred in.

I'd love to. I'd love to. He's terrific. Who's your favorite actor? Oh, man. I think in terms of performance and the heart of a character truly being lived, I'd have to say Daniel DeLuis, he brings people to life in a way that really prohibits directors from giving line readings. because Daniel D. Lewis is going to do it better than the director would ever even attempt.

Gotcha. And so there's a faith that when you hire him, you're going to, you know, you're going to be getting the ultimate shot at a performance. And I think that guy gets Oscar nominations just for like joining a film. Yeah. Because he's that good. Did you see the one where I think he was like, is something about oil.

Yes, let there be blood. Oh, my. Oh, there will be blood. Yeah, there will be blood. That was, he was amazing in that movie. Amazing. Yeah. And just, I mean, when you talked about, when you, when you mentioned him, his role in that movie came right to my mind.

I'm like, I know exactly what you were saying, because he was so believable. And how could you, I don't know how you direct that. He just, it's just like he's that, he's the person in the movie. Like it's unequivocally, he's that guy right there. Yeah. I don't know. And he, he is next level.

He gets into it in a way that very few to know actors do pretty much. He does a very intense method acting where he basically just becomes the character. Mm-hmm. I think on there will be blood, he, he didn't sit in actors' chairs. You know, the director chairs. Right. I'm like stilted up on like X's and they've got that cloth cushioning and then the back cloth as well. Yeah.

With your name on it, you cast, all that stuff. He sat on a tree stump and drank out of a tin can. Really? Because that's what his character would have had. And so he really lives it. How awesome is that? Terrifying. Yeah.

Because that's not what I do. So if I were to work with Daniel DeLuis, I would be tripping. Yeah. I don't like, I don't know, I don't know what I would do. I really don't. I'd have to give it a lot of thought. Do you, so when you play a role, like when you're done, you're done. Yes, put it down.

Yeah. And, yeah, I mean, I guess it's just a different approach. Everybody's different. But there is something to be said for how good he is and how he does it. There must be validity to that approach also. But it could just be, I mean, could you lose your, go crazy, losing yourself. in the role, you know what I mean? Absolutely.

I mean, there's heartbreaking stories of people doing that. I think one of the most, like, prominent is Heath Ledger. You know, he was playing the role of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Night. And I think he, I think he overdosed on sleeping medication, if I'm not mistaken. I think a few different things, yeah. And I think it was him trying to, like, After filming was done, I think it was just him trying to like put it away, like get rid of that darkness that he had kind of welcomed into his life and kind of lived in it. And I think he just got stuck.

And that was heartbreaking. I remember the day that I found out that he'd passed away because he starred in one of my favorite films from when I was a kid. Night's Tale. That movie is so funny. Yeah. I love it. It's set in medieval times. It's a comedy and romance and just terrific.

I highly recommend it. Yeah. I highly recommend it. I thought there's another one like, is it ten things I hate about you? Is he in that one too? I thought you were going to say that one when you started to. But yeah. I haven't seen a nice tale, I don't think.

It is so funny. Right. It is so. So funny. So he'd been one of your favorite up until, so you'd been following along and then you heard he'd passed away. I did. Yeah.

Oh my gosh. Like, that's, that was the first time where an actor that I was kind of familiar with and was aware of. We never knew each other. He, I think he passed away before I even started acting. But an actor that I was familiar with had passed away. I was like, that is crazy. And just so heartbreaking.

And he gave maybe one of the most legendary performances ever. It's hard to conceptualize the role moving forward from him. Yeah. You know, Joaquin Phoenix has done an incredible job with it. Right. And I'm not a fan of the Jared Leto take. Yeah.

I mean, he screwed up pre-Fontaine also. Oh, no, that's right. He pretty much sucks at everything. He's given some terrific performances, for sure. But, I mean, yeah, taking, I think there's characters and roles in film that really need to be, like, prayed about and taken on. with eyes wide open. Right. Because if you're living in it and if you're giving the performance of a lifetime,

there's a cost. Right. It feels like, I mean, Christian Bale could maybe go into that same category also. Yeah. Because he gets so immersed in the roles. And like you see his body transformation, I think in the mechanic,

he was 130 pounds or whatever it was. But, and then you see outbursts sometimes. times on TV, or not on TV, but caught on camera, where he's just, you know, a little unhinged, I think yelling at his mom before, but I could see that you get so immersed in these roles and these characters and these people who are usually deeply flawed, which is why they make a good character in a movie. Yeah.

And then all of a sudden, that's you because that's all you're thinking about all the time. I mean, but it's the people who are the greatest at it, who are, it feels like are at the most risk, you know? Absolutely. Like I wonder, Joaquin Phoenix, another one, I mean, how has that affected him, all these roles he's played? Right. You know, it's got to be, there's a, as you said, there's a price. Right.

There's absolutely no price. And it's, it is the price of greatness. It's, there's a, there's this idea that the teacher at the acting studio that I used to go to in Los Angeles, I actually want to get back into. the idea of abandon how willing are you to pursue something to the point at which you could fail but discover greatness and there's there's this thing that some actors do where they play it safe and like I know how to make this look good on camera but there's a way of going about it. where you don't really look great, but it is the most powerful way of doing it,

you know? Like, oh, what's the good way of doing it? There's some performances, you know, when, you know, ugly crying? Mm-hmm. Yeah. So there's actors. Can you cry right now?

I could cry right now. You could? I could cry right now. That's pretty. Well, here's me, not knowing anything about anything. And when an actor, when I'm like, okay, they're supposed to be crying. I don't see tears. Where are the tears?

Where are the tears? But if somebody can cry and actually have her tear come out, you're like, for a casual like me, he's like, oh, that's a pretty good actor right there. That's how I determine whether there's a real tear or not. That's going to determine whether you suck or you're good to me. I think that, well, here's the counter. Here's the counter to that. If you're in shock, you might not cry.

Yeah. If you're in shock, you might not cry. But you're feeling something and it's just locked. Right. You're in shock. You're stuck. Right. Your brain is spinning, but there's practically nothing going on here.

Yeah. So like, let's say a character walks into their house and their dad has been shot. There's a very real experience for that character. where they just stand there for 30 seconds thinking what processing what right and they're just saying like dad dad get up mm-hmm dad get up you know no tears not yet that'll sink in right but then there's also the direction the director could say run to your dad ball your eyes out and just like shake him right you know and like that's there's two ways to do in that scene yeah that's and so i um I definitely'm like, oh, there's a tear, you know.

Yeah. But then also there's a way of, you know, seeing experience and then also the way two different people would experience it. Because it's not me walking into the room and seeing my dad dead on the floor. It's this character. How would this character handle it? Right. Is this a tough guy who, you know, holds back all of his emotion and that's the moment the damn breaks? and it all pours out?

Right. Or is this an emotional person who can't process it? You got to think through the character, you've got to know your character, and even sometimes the directors are like, we're going to try this two ways. We're not really sure how we want this to go.

Oh, I see. And so that's when you get to have fun. You get to try it different ways. You get to experiment. Also, in the moment, you can discover something great if you're playing for keeps. Right.

playing with abandon, just going for it. You mentioned something about ugly crying. What was the point you're going to make about that? Oh, yeah. So ugly crying, there's actors who can, you know, actually Anna Grace Barlow in Jesus Revolution. She has this superpower where she can just be, you know, at any given moment, in about 10 seconds, she can get one, like that purpose. Perfect tier.

Nice. That just goes, you know? And she can control which eye it is too. What? I don't know how she does this. I don't know how she does this. It's amazing. Yeah.

But then she can also let herself go to the like powerful sobbing crying. Some actors are like, this is going to be immortalized on film. And it'll be on the internet and on Amazon free for anyone to buy for the rest of time. So I want to look good. Oh, they don't want the. So they don't want the ugly crying face. Yeah. But if you walked in and found your dad dead on the floor, would you be like, oh, no?

Right. Or would you be a mess? And there's snot coming out. And like you're maybe gagging and like heaving from your system revolting, right? Being like this, everything is wrong. And your body goes into a state of shock. And so there's some people out there who I question. And this is this the good tear or is this the ugly crime?

Right. The legacy of it and the look. Yeah. Because, I mean, you can get one screenshot from a film and it's a meme forever. I mean, and I mean, everybody has ego, right? Yeah, for sure. Everyone does. When you're going to be a movie star, you want to look good, right?

I mean, what movie? Yeah. So, I mean, I do get that, which makes you really respect somebody. who will go all in. And like, wow, I guess I never thought about it. Like, man, that person, they really look like shit. They must have really, really wanted this scene to pop. Absolutely.

And you were talking about Christian Bale earlier. And the way that he puts his body through transformation for roles as well. I was just watching American Hustle the other day. And, you know, he gained, he went like the belly. and he had like that comb over. Yeah. He gives himself to the role with abandon. And he's like, what's right for this?

And that's what I'm going to do. For the mechanic, machinist? Machinist. Machinist. Yeah. 130? I know. He was like a skeleton.

Yeah. And I think there's maybe only a handful of people that would even consider trying to do that. Right. I know that for Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto both went through physical transformation and got down to, I mean, dangerously low body weight. Like they put themselves in harm's way to do what was right for.

those characters. Right. You know, and I respect that. Mm-hmm. But I fear that. Right. Because I'm not doing that.

And so, like, I see those films. I'm like, this is what... So you're not doing it, or you haven't done it yet? Would you do it? I would.

I would like to think that I would be able to do that. The people we're talking about are icons. They're the great. So you got to think, if I'm in this, doing this work like you are, I'd be like, if I want to be great, I mean, I got to be all in.

Right. Because there's a lot of people who still want to look good, still want their whatever. But we're not talking about them right now. Yeah. So. Similar with hunting. You know, go all in. Do what you have to do to be great to get the perfect shot and to be able to, you know, carry your, your,

out of, you know, however far you had to hike for it. And whether, you know, you push yourself to do ultramarathons, you carry that unbelievable rock up that hill, which is just, it's next level, you know. How'd that feel yesterday? I mentioned the other day, I ran 10 miles. Yeah, that's a good run. To, right after you invited me on the show,

was like, I got to know, I got to know that I can hurt and I got to know that I can push myself through hurt just to be able to go with you for a couple days and do a run, lift shoot. Yeah. And to, you know, kind of earn a spot on your podcast because it's such an honor to be here. Carrying your rock up the hill was harder than a 10 mile run. Really? I was cooked. I was just done.

And I didn't realize it until we did the lift. I had, I was gassed. Yeah. I was gassed. Like in those fights, you know, you come out strong in the first two rounds. Right. You got nothing left. Right.

Shooting went great. Yep. The rock went great up in the hill in Piscka. And then from my lift, I was dead. I was dead. I was dead in the third round, you know, totally gassed. You did great. I mean, you did.

I mean, I think you killed everything. But it is a lot because carrying that rock is, it's not something you can simulate unless you're carrying a rock of something, right? So you can't really prepare for. But it's like one of those things where your body just has to be so engaged, like every second of the. And even when you're running, your whole body's not engaged. You're kind of getting in a flow state, kind of relaxed.

You can't relax with that rock. So it's just like your nervous system and your body is just, like tense and so it does you know to lift after that is a lot to ask i mean but you did awesome but that's the price of greatness you know being willing to push yourself into yeah failure and beyond i think some people would say that what i do is stupid and so whatever so they wouldn't really really say that it's a price of greatness but yeah i i do i um agree with what you're saying about sometimes there's you you do um i mean you have to push and we talked about that even with lifting i said the goal is to fail and to fail and still go beyond

failure that's hard to do yeah but that's where the growth happens right so yeah i don't really know how what that meant with the rock but uh or how how i justify carrying a rock up a mountain i just like it because it's hard so that's what i do it's hard and that's where growth comes from you know once you go into the failure and you push through a little bit that's where your growth comes from Yeah. And I mean, that rock is like a, it makes life seem easier. Yeah. When you're struggling to take that rock up the hill, I just kept thinking, like, it was

on my shoulder. And I was like, oh, my life is not that bad. Right. This is hard. But like, there's things in my life that I consider to be an inconvenience or difficult or a hardship. Mm-hmm. Just give you some perspective.

Yeah, again, it's always perspective, isn't it? Always perspective. Before I move past it, but Stephen King, so did you see Stephen King on set in that movie? No. No? He was not. He wasn't there. Was he just a writer of the film or?

So Stephen King puts out novels. Mm-hmm. And he's done this incredible thing that his novels, you can buy, the rights to the novel for like five bucks. And so that's why there's so many Stephen King films that are turned into books that are turned into films because they're available. There's getting the rights to something. I'm sure you know more about this than I do with books, but you have to buy the rights to it.

So if I were to make a Cameron Haynes film, I would have to buy the rights to your book. You know, which why would you, you know, undersell yourself? But Stephen King. You could play me. Now you did the rock. You shot the bow. Hey, there you go. I am not nearly tough enough or hard enough to play you.

They would need to dig deep and find someone. Plus you got John Wick five coming up. Yeah. My schedule's booked. Yeah. Yeah. No, but that's interesting. Because I read a lot of Stephen King books growing up because he's so crazy and the writing was just like so detailed and vivid.

It's just, I mean, 1,100 page book and you can read it, tiny little words. But anyway, that's, I've been a Stephen King fan for a while. Absolutely. He's a legend. He has some of the most deeply written horror genre books turned films, I think, ever. I mean, he's he's the king of horror, isn't he? Yeah. Isn't like that's kind of how he's

I would think so. That's how I've always understood it. Yeah, I would think so. I mean, one of the best movies, I'm trying to think, I mean, I like Pest Cemetery, but it's just weird. But misery was incredible. Misery with Kathy Bates and James Conn. Have you seen that one? Oh, I don't think I've seen misery. Great movie. Oh, my goodness. You got to watch that one.

Yeah. But because she may have won an Oscar for that. Oh, really? Yeah. Okay. So good. I'm going to have to look into that. Misery. I'm going to look into that. Yeah. It's a classic Stephen King novel, but an amazing film too. But it's, I mean, it's disturbing as you could guess. I'm sure. Yeah. Yeah. So it's, I mean, it's fitting here that this is Easter morning and we're talking to Joel Courtney, star of Jesus Revolution. I meant to get to this earlier, but so how is your faith journey played a part in your career? And now it's like right now it's accumulated with this role. I mean, just because that's your latest thing.

But how is it played and like when were you saved? How did that all that happen? So it's just like a little testimony from my life is, I was really. raised Christian. My parents are both Christian. And when I went to Los Angeles and I started working as an actor, was my first time really leaving my little bubble of Moscow, Idaho, which is a really wonderful Christian community. All my friends at high school went to a Christian school. And so I didn't really know anything other than that community. And so I went to L.A. working, I started meeting people that needed Jesus, and then I realized I needed Jesus personally,

not because of my parents. And so that's kind of where I started a journey of accepting Jesus as personally my Lord and Savior. And then through work, he has been my cornerstone. He has provided, is protected. He has guided me and there's been a piece about my career which has not been easy but I've had

probably one of the easiest entries into Hollywood. I got Super 8 on like my first audition. Yeah. So like the provision has always been clear to me. And so

growing up a little bit in Hollywood It was tough, but you know, you find community, you find people who believe similar things. And I have been very blessed to find solid Christians in the industry and people outside the industry in Los Angeles as well. I have so many friends that I miss dearly. And I'm just not in Los Angeles anymore. And so life has taken me on a new path. We live in Tennessee now, which is awesome.

But in my career, working up to doing Jesus Revolution, it's been the honor of the lifetime and the desire of the lifetime of a career. I've wanted to do faith-based films because they mean, it means the heart of the film means so much to me and spreading the gospel. and that opportunity is so dear to me as a Christian, you know, the great commission going out and spreading the gospel. And the fact that I got to do it in Jesus Revolution, but also the fact that I got to do it with Jesus Revolution. You know, it was the good one. It was like it was one of the best Christian films I think that's ever been made.

And it's such an honor. and it's very humbling. We, people were getting saved on set, you know. The day that we were in Southern California in the Newport area, we were at Pirates Cove doing the baptisms. One of our actors was baptized that day by the real Greg Lorry. Wow. And we were filming a scene over at the right corner of the beach.

So it's this rock wall. Right. And then there's a sand. pit and then the water comes up to it and then there's a jetty like probably 400 500 yards out so there's not big waves rolling up to the beach just like little it's protected yeah it's protected and so we're over in the corner we're filming and then one of the uh assistant directors runs up and goes hey guys check this out Greg is baptizing one of the guys over there we all just like cut yeah let's watch yeah that was awesome wow that was awesome and then all

Also background actors were getting baptized. Jonathan Rumi was out in the water. And one of these background actors, she was a lady. And she walked out to him. And they're rolling cameras from the cliff above, looking down at the beach. And she walked out to him was like, wait, before, can you do this for real? Really? Can you really baptize me?

and he said, yes. Okay. And so he prayed through sinners' prayer with her and baptized her as a, you know, brother in Christ. And he said it was one of the most profound experiences he's ever had, which is saying something, because he literally plays Jesus on the chosen, which is so good.

That show is fantastic. nominal. I highly recommend it. I can't recommend it enough, actually. But no, like our, the way I went into this film was saying, we would like to change lives and introduce people to Jesus. There's me long days, there's me hard days on set, like there are always are. But seeing that almost instant gratification on set, like before the movie is done filming, people are getting saved. And so, that was a profound realization. I was like, it's worth it. Mm-hmm.

The purpose is greater than. The purpose is so great. Yeah. Saving and bringing and introducing one soul to Jesus makes an entire production and whatever type of hardship or struggle or hell we have to go through on set. Mm-hmm.

It's worth it. Did anybody say that? I mean, were you guys saying that amongst each other? Yeah, Jonathan and I really had some beautiful open conversations. And I consider an honor to have been able to work with him. And he is wonderfully talented. And he just has a beautiful soul and a desire to do good work. And he's very spirit-filled and wise.

And he's a good friend. He's a good man. Yeah, that's great. What do you, I mean, not fate, I guess, because, you know, what's fate? But do you, how do you, how do you reason that your, your upbringing and being a Christian and then have a, have it work towards this opportunity with this film?

How does that, it seems like the, I mean, everything fell in. in line and you were the perfect person for that. How do you, how does that make, how do you process that? I see God's hand all over my history. I loved to do in theater when I was a kid. Super fun. I had extreme stage fright up until about third grade. And then there was a flip. I was like, oh, this is fun. Like I can't think about how scary like 75 to 100 people look at me is. I just got to have fun. And then my focus switch. So there's a, there's a flip, about third grade. Plays became a lot of fun. And then in sixth grade, I played a puck in mid-summer night's dream by Shakespeare. And it was like the sixth grade version. You know, we weren't

talking in poetry. Where for it? Yeah, no. It wasn't that deep. But that was the first time I really remembering coming to life in a role and kind of making it my own and having fun with it. And so there was another flip there. I was like, oh, that was a new experience. It was really cool. I liked that a lot. And it was Grandparents Day that was the day that we did the play. And so obviously there was a lot of cheering.

And I was like, oh, they were cheering for us and me. And it was really, so that was. The feedback felt good. And then I continued to do. do a little bit of theater and then, uh, started acting at 14. And so I see the Lord's hand all over my history, guiding me, teaching me, uh, providing. I mean, it's not cheap living in LA. I don't know how people do it. Right. Um, I sometimes don't know how I did it. Uh, I was, I was provided for, uh, graciously. And,

And so seeing almost my ability to bring the gospel into Hollywood into the world, I see a lot of the Lord's favor on me, which I am humbled by. So I just feel so undeserving, you know, to have, because I didn't earn it, you know. I worked hard, but I didn't earn the Lord's favor. is just graciously, lavishly poured over me so undeservingly. So do you feel an obligation to then spread the word because of that? Yes. Is that how it works?

Yes. And I love to. It's so fun and necessary. People need to hear the love that is God. Do you think, do you see people who have been blessed like you that then don't spread the gospel, don't spread the word. Like, and do you think that, man, you've been, you've been so blessed. It's kind of like your obligation.

To me, I feel like, and again, I'm not trying to take your words, but I mean, I too feel like I've been blessed with more than I deserve. So it's like you should want to give because of that. Yeah. But there's people who don't, obviously, right? Nobody says you have to. but it feels like the more you give, the more you're rewarded. And I mean, your life seems like that personified to me

because you're, you know, we keep saying perspective, but you do have a good approach to it, but also a deeply rooted approach in faith that the more you give, the harder you work, the more you receive, the more than you also want to give. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like the spider, version of it is with great power comes great responsibility and then that kind of being

almost like a retelling of the the parable of the the master who gives talents and money to his workers one guy was given 10 one guy was given five one was given one was given one and I see myself as the guy who was given 10. 10 talents of silver. Okay. And he lented out and then got repaid. And when his master was back, he gave his master more than what he was given. And so I feel like as much as I've been given, I am called to work hard, you know, plant a harvest and reap in what is given to me and then pour that out for people and to be giving.

because how much have I been given? Right. Yeah. I think that's, I mean, that's the way to look at it. I'm not going to say that that's a right way. That is the way. That's how I see it. Yeah.

And if there's a better way, I'd love to hear it. And I just, that's how I see it. Well, I mean, I just know you'd have to know that, so you saw the one person who won't. learned to be baptized on set. But imagine how many people have seen the film. So, I mean, you were impacted by that one person, but millions of people have seen this film and felt the same way as that one person.

That must feel incredible, knowing that you're having that impact on a society, but our country, especially now that needs it more than, it feels like more than ever. Yeah. That must feel incredible. It's mind-boggling. I try to think of it and conceptualize it, but it feels too grand to really like take in and hold that awareness in my head. How many people have, you know, even in my comments,

I'm posting about the film and people saying, this changed my life, this broke my heart. I started reading my Bible. I started going to church. I apologized to my wife. You know, like these comments of people saying, this thing that you were associated with fundamentally changed my life for the better.

That's wild. Yeah. That's wild. And I just seem so, I just see myself as, you know, a servant of the Lord. And I'm, your welcome seems so wrong to say. Right. It seems so inappropriate. But like, it was a joy to do the film. And to see the outcome that we hoped for.

Right. Come to life is just amazing. I'm truly speechless about it. Yeah, I think it's incredibly important and powerful right now, especially as we talked about, because I think we mentioned that maybe this was the, I don't know, I don't want to say the last chance, but you could only make so many faith-based films that bomb, you know?

And so it was like, are we done? Are we done with this? Or is there still people out there who can be impacted? by a film like this. And it's just like, so it was like this tipping point where Hollywood was going to give up on this type of film. Like, no, we're past that. Society's moved on.

Now it's, you know, transgender films from here on out. But, yeah, you know, I think there was a lot of people that saw, this is that very much a tipping point, which is what I was telling you. And this was kind of testing the waters. Like, is the Christian community? is still out there? Are they still going to theaters? Should we be making movies for them to make to, to have them invest in these films? And the answer was a resounding yes, which I'm so thankful for because, I mean, it's, it's, it's an honor to have done the film, but it also looks good on my

resume. Yeah. And so like having a success under my belt is because of the support of the entire Christian community. And so, like, I'm just eternally grateful that people showed out and continued to. I can't tell you how many people saw it like four or five times. I know. There was tons of people in my comment saying they saw multiple times and I'm going to go again. I'm going to take my mom. I'm going to take my grandma.

And it's just like mind-boggling. Yeah. I did. I wanted to come back to this too. So Greg Lorry, you said, he was down the beach that one scene, but how much of role did he play in the movie? Because that's who you played, right?

Yep, that's who I played. Right. So how much of contact with him did you have? A lot. He was on set, I want to say more than 50% of the film. He was around and he was talking to everybody. He had a camera guy on set and he was getting behind the scenes and he was getting B-roll and he puts out a lot of content for his church.

And so he's very good on camera and he's very good speaking to a camera and relating to people. And so I got to talk to him a lot, which was maybe like one of the greatest benefits, you know, because I'm playing him. So who better to have on set than the man himself? And so there were days leading up to production where I got his phone number. And we were on the phone for an hour, hour or two. And he basically said, carte blanche, you want to call me? Call me.

Any day, anytime. Whatever you want to know, I'm glad to be of assistance. And so I took him up on that. And it was a huge blessing. It helped so much. Was he happy with your performance? Yes. Which is another feel-good moment for me to have the man that I'm playing say,

like, I see myself on the screen. And I, you know, know as a performer as an actor you're playing a real person you don't want there to be him saying like wasn't that like it wasn't that good you know that's that's pretty different than a lot of roles because a lot of roles you're playing a character that's been written right it's not a it's not the real person right so was that it was extra pressure extra pressure for sure and i felt that for the first three three days on set uh but uh he was so welcoming and encouraging and just helpful throughout, you know, those first three days that I just

really found a comfort in having him available for information. And so I kind of, I flipped my mindset about it again. I was like, I'm looking at this the wrong way. It's not a pressure. It's a benefit. And so that helped me. Yeah. And, and I'm very excited to be able to say that he liked it. Great. Which, you know, thank God. I know. I know. Did he offer any advice, like, you know, because you're playing him.

Did he say give anything like, I don't know, trying to be more true to how he felt? I mean, do you remember any tips? So he was invaluable on set truthfully. not so much in minutia like little tips but it was more like this was my relationship with my mom and it was

X Y Z hardships relationship alcohol she was married like seven times and she had a very like hard life and so getting to sit down and talk to him about how much he loved his mom that it was the struggle of watching

her struggle through existence and so like getting to sit down and talk to him about that so nice because day one we filmed in the trailer with me and my mom and we did one of the last scenes of the film on day one really so it's not like we film in order it's not like you You do scene one, two, three, four, all the way to the end. You'll, in one day, you'll do the last scene of the film and maybe something from, you know, page 50 and then something in the first like 10 minutes of the film, you know? And so your chemistry has to be alive on day one.

Otherwise, at the end of the film, you were like, did they even know each other? Like it's choppy and weird. Why do they do it like that? Why was the last scene day one? In terms of scheduling, you just got to do what you got to do. We had the trailer and we had the beach. And we had to film for the first two days.

We had that beach. On day three, we didn't have the beach. We had a new location. I gotcha. So like in two days, you got to get 10 scenes. And they're all in that trailer on that beach. And then day three, you're not there anymore. So you had better have gotten what you needed.

And so that's part of what. why they don't film a scene in order because of locations. Right. And the availability of being able to have that location that you need. Because you can't pick up the trailer and put it down onto a new beach. I'm like, this is the same beach. Yeah. No, I understand.

That would definitely be a challenge. Yeah. So having him on set day one, you know, talking about his relationship with his mom, it really helped me like come to. Kimberly, who is phenomenal in the film. It really helped me connect with her and see her character in a light and perspective of Greg's, which has been seasoned by X amount of years of wisdom and prayer and perspective. And so coming into that scene, I mean, I think it would have been more choppy if Greg hadn't been on set.

Yeah, I bet. That's the way I see it. No, I could definitely, that makes sense to me. What do your mom and dad think of like your success and like you're because of how you grew up as a Christian in a Christian family? How did they, would they think of the movie? They've loved it. Yeah. I got to invite them to the premiere.

And so they got to see it for the first time with me in Los Angeles at the Chinese theater. It was so cool. Wow. And they have always been very supportive. Because they've made sacrifices too. Absolutely. For you to be where you're at.

Huge sacrifices. So I started working at the age of 14. My brother was working as an actor for like three years before me. So from the age of 14 down to 11 for those three plus years or something like that, my dad was taking trips down to Los Angeles for seven plus years and spending the summer away from his wife, away from his daughter, away from his home. And he was helping his sons try to achieve a dream of theirs. I can't really think.

of a more selfless act in my life that I've experienced other than my dad. Right. And he really facilitated my career. And then he lived with me in Los Angeles until I was about 20 because there was crazy stuff happening in Los Angeles. There always is. but he was saying like I'm not ready to leave my 18 year old son in Los Angeles by himself by himself this just doesn't seem great right and so he set me up on a path to pursue my own community

so that he could leave me with a foundation of Christ in in Hollywood because he was my Christ-like foundation. He was my family that was with me. And then I, when my dad had to go, because he just, he had to go. Yeah. I'm 20 years old and he's like living away from his wife and his kids. Yeah.

And like it just, I needed to get myself together. And start to execute my actions as an adult. And so, I found community. found friends, found Christ, like centered people in Hollywood and then outside of the Hollywood industry as well. And he was finally able to go home. And I will never, I will never not be thankful. Right. Because I just, I wouldn't be, I wouldn't be the man that I am. I wouldn't be as successful or, I mean, just, uh, just, uh,

You know, kids make stupid choices, bad mistakes. My dad really set me up in a powerful way and protected me through a lot. Yeah. I mean, you don't know what it feels like because you haven't been a parent yet, but I mean, all parents in their own way sacrifice. So for a parent, it must. I'll put myself in his shoes, but to make those sacrifices, because I said all parents feel like they do, but to see it pay off.

you know because a lot of parents sacrifice and I'm doing this for my kids and their kids can't get out of their own way and it's just like they just don't have that success it's like the parents like all I want you to do is be happy to be successful I've given all this and for whatever reason it doesn't happen

but for your dad and your mom and your family to sacrifice for you and your brother to chase this these dreams and then to see it also be success and then also not just success like not horror movie success, but Christian Bates film success. That must just be unreal for them. Yeah, my, uh, my mom was like crying through the whole film. I bet. And she was just like clutching my

arm because she was sitting on my right side. She's like grabbing onto me and like, it's so good. It's so good. And then like go back to watching it. Well, you know, even if it's terrible, she would have said that. She absolutely would have. My mom, it's, I don't, it's hysterical. I can't trust her when it comes to whether or not the work was good, because she's going to say it was great anyway, which I love her for because, I mean, my mom is my number one fan for sure. Yeah.

She's going to watch this. That's how it's supposed to work. Oh, really? Multiple times. What's her name? Carla. Carla, did a great job with your son. I mean, you should be very proud of now you are, but.

Man, yeah, that's awesome. I mean, it's a, sometimes I forget how old I am and like you're young. You're younger than my kid than my oldest son. But it's, you're doing such great work and it's been so fun to hang out and learn of the industry and share my life with, with you, the lift run, shoe life. And it's funny because, again, you, you. could be my son and I could be your dad as far as age-wise, but I've learned a lot from you. And it's an honor to have you here and to learn more about the film because, as I said, I love the movie Jesus Revolution.

And I think it's important work that you've done. And I think that the story needs to be told and shared and impact others. And it's been incredible to see. and it's an honor to sit here and talk to you about that journey with you. Thank you. It's an honor to be here and be with you. There's a verse that says, you know, as iron sharpens iron. And I have been sharpened like a razor's edge in these last two days.

You push so hard and I think you just prove that age is just a number. Are you saying I'm old? Is that what you're saying? I'm just saying. You have an age. But you, you push past what I think most people think age restricts them from. Right.

No, it doesn't. Yeah. Not if you want it. Not if you work hard. I try. I try. But it's, it's been great.

And God, trying to fight back a cough. Like I've been dealing with this freaking cough forever. But that part out, tan. No, we don't. Actually, we don't edit anything. So that cough you can enjoy on your,

on your headphones. as you listen to this. But how I end each show is like this. It's by saying it's a great honor to give you your own Hoyt, the keep hammering Hoyt right there. And I give that to outliers. And you are an outlier. So much respect for the work that you do.

But there's your brand new Hoyt. You shot so well yesterday. So you're going to take that home and on the journey to becoming a bow hunter. Thank you so much. This is an honor. This has been an unforgettable few days and getting to learn from you just what it is that you do and how hard you work. You push, you push, you push, and you don't stop. And I feel encouraged after this week to go out there and continue fighting and working hard.

And this has just been a huge blessing in my life. So thank you so much for having me. And for this, oh my gosh, this is badass. Yeah, definitely. I called the arrows beautiful the other day. And you're like, they're not really beautiful. They're badass. Right.

I was like, I'll learn my lesson. This is badass. Yeah, semantics, right? I get what you're saying. But I can't wait to follow along on your journey and see more success from you. Thank you for coming to Oregon. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Keep everyone. Cabell's and Bass Pro Shops is a sponsor of the podcast. and that's especially powerful for me because I remember when Cabellas came to town, came to Springfield, Oregon. And I actually played a role in the opening of that store. Instead of cutting the grand opening ribbon with scissors, I shot it with an arrow. And it was just a monumental thing.

I mean, everybody here in town was talking about, hey, are you going to go to Cabellas? Can you believe Cabellas is coming here to Springfield, Oregon? So I know what a staple, those giants in the industry are. And it's actually, it's one of the first places people go when they're looking to get geared up to become a hunter as they go to Cabellas and buy everything they need. So I'm very excited that we've partnered together and we can help open up those outdoor and hunting opportunities to listeners of this podcast. Loopold Optics has been providing my binoculars and eyewear for the last few years. I like that it's an Oregon company and they make such high quality glass. It's all I've really used.

And if you can't find what you're hunting, it's going to be tough to kill. So loophole optics has really played a integral part and my success these last few years. Thank you, Lou Pold, for supporting the podcast.