JASON VENDRYES-Cover Model and Actor:  The Interview

Jason Vendryes-the Interview

This week, Jaci Burton released her latest novel in the Play by Play series-TAKING A SHOT. As always, Jaci’s covers feature a fantastic male body, with abs anyone would want, but few achieve. And The Reading Cafe has an interview with the cover model for Taking A Shot-JASON VENDRYES

The Reading Cafe would like to introduce-Jason Vendryes

TRC: Hi Jason. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure to read about the model behind the cover picture.

Jason: Anytime! Thanks for having me!

TRC: We would like to start with some basic information.

NAME: Jason Vendryes
AGE: 29 years old
BIRTHPLACE: Long Island New York
RAISED: Wellington Florida
RESIDENCE: New York to Florida
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SIBLINGS: One Sister, Stacey
EDUCATION/DEGREE: Graduated from Wellington High School and attended The University of Central Florida

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Jason: Such a broad question to open with! Well, I’m a pretty active person. I love to travel and try new things. Some of my favorite things to do are going to concerts, rock climbing, sky diving, and camping. The best part of all those activities is that you get to enjoy them with friends and family.

TRC: As a child, what where your hobbies and sports ?

Jason: I grew up playing all sorts of sports. Luckily I had patient parents! I took karate lessons, played tennis, football, roller hockey, soccer, basketball, and finally in high school stuck with wrestling and volleyball. I think they all were so important, especially wrestling, because they let me understand how my body works and the proper ways to take care of it.

TRC: What were your aspirations growing up? Did you always want to be an actor or model?

Jason: When I was about five years old, I visited Graceland and wanted to be Elvis after that. Sadly, I learned you can’t be someone that already existed. I did get into modeling and acting briefly as a child, but my parents halted that after a hopeful – turned disappointing experience with the film Cop and a Half. I went to college for Computer Science and ended up back in entertainment after being approached by a casting director about an up coming audition which I was fortunate enough to book.

TRC: Your resume states you have experience in print, commercial, TV and film
industry. Which do you prefer and why?

Jason: To me, it’s all very similar. I approach print work like I would an acting job. I put myself into a character that fits the shot the photographer is trying to achieve. If I were forced to choose, I’d go with film. I like the idea of spending time developing and living out a character and then starting from scratch when the next project comes along.

TRC: Have you ever done any runway modeling? If so, what and where was your most recent show?

Jason: I’ve done a few runway shows. Mainly for fitness brands like Nike and Adidas. My last runway show was for the season finale of the Bravo! series Fashion Hunters in New York City.

TRC: Is there a particular shoot that you are most pleased with?

Jason: There is always something I am pleased with in every shoot. However, I’m very excited about the cover for Taking A Shot. I love the way it came out and the pose they went with.

TRC: Was there ever a shoot that went horribly wrong?

Jason: I haven’t had any experiences that have jaded me in anyway but I’ve had some that haven’t gone as well as others. I chalk it up to a learning experience and move on.

TRC: Is there someone you would like to work with or for, that you have not had the chance?

Jason: There are dozens! I’d love to shoot with Bruce Webber eventually. As far as film – directors David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Kevin Smith and Bryan Singer are amongst my favorites and would jump at an opportunity to work with them.

TRC: Have you ever turned down a shoot and why?

Jason: I have had to turn down several shoots and projects sadly because of scheduling conflicts. That’s the worst, when you have several options that come along for the same time frame and neither can be rescheduled.

TRC: We see that you have appeared in Bachelor Party 2 as well as several other TV and commercial ads. What movies, TV shows or commercials have you recently appeared?

Jason: I’ve worked on a few. As I mentioned earlier, I was on the season finale of Fashion Hunters. Some of my others include W.E., The Beautiful Life, Big Lake, and Dr. G: Medical Examiner and commercials for Universal Orlando Resort, Labatt Blue Beer, and The Ritz-Carlton.

TRC: As a model, you must always be in shape. What is your daily work-out regimen?

Jason: I’m constantly switching up my routine, usually every 3 months. Right now I’m in the gym for an hour and a half in the morning and an hour and a half in the afternoon with a rest day every four days.

TRC: You are currently the cover model for author Jaci Burton’s –TAKING A SHOT. Would you please tell us about the shoot?

Jason: It was such a fun shoot! We shot it nearly a year ago in New York. The shoot itself took about 4 hours. We shot so much stuff and every piece of hockey equipment you can imagine: shoulder pads, gloves, a hockey stick, puck, helmet, leg pads. Both standing and sitting. The idea was to capture the feeling of a player after a game or practice. After shooting all that as we were getting ready to wrap, I noticed there was a pair of skates we hadn’t used. I asked if we could take some shots with them and explained how I use to tie the laces together of my skates and sling them over my shoulder. So we tried it. I was in my jeans since we had been getting ready to leave. They sprayed me down with some water so I looked sweaty and we shot a few more. I’m glad we did because I love the way the cover came out.

TRC: When and how were you notified that your picture was chosen for the cover?

Jason: I think I found out last June. Jaci had posted the cover as a teaser on her Website and I had a friend that saw it and called to ask if that was me. I checked out the site and saw the cover for the first time.

TRC: Is the cover of TAKING A SHOT your first cover? If not, which other covers have you appeared?

Jason: This is my second cover. My first cover was for the re-release of Susan Krinard’s Prince of Wolves last year. So it’s my first new release.

TRC: The Romance Genre is sometimes frowned upon, due to the content and storylines. Do you have any comments regarding the industry?

Jason: I don’t believe in frowning upon anything creatively. If you don’t like something, then don’t read, watch, listen, or partake in it. I think the romance genre is entertaining and that’s what’s important to me, just enjoying what you read.

TRC: Some of today’s more popular romance cover models have over 1200-1600 covers. Do you see yourself continuing in the cover model industry?

Jason: I would be happy to continue appearing in covers for as long as the readers enjoy seeing me on them.

TRC: Have you had a chance to read any of the PLAY BY PLAY series of books by Jaci Burton? Do you have a copy of YOUR current book?

Jason: I haven’t had the chance to read the first two PLAY BY PLAY books, but they’re on my list! I haven’t received the copy of Taking A Shot yet. I’ll have to wait until March 6 like everyone else. Jaci was nice enough to send me several post cards of the cover though. I’ve been corresponding with her and her assistant and they’re both so nice!

TRC: Many models refuse to pose NUDE, but some pictures run very close to the line. What is your experience with NUDE photography?

Jason: I don’t have too much experience with nudes. I have shot nudes for fashion photographer, and close friend, Chiun-Kai Shih for a future project he’s working on. That’s about it.

TRC: What would you tell a young and new model, fresh in the business, about NUDE photographs?

Jason: Make sure you trust and are comfortable with the photographer you are going to shoot nudes with and what they’re being used for. Some people are ok with shooting nude, some aren’t. Know where you stand before you start and know where your own boundaries are.

TRC: What are you currently doing?

Jason: I’ve been taking the last couple of days to get ready for a vacation to Singapore. It’ll be my first time visiting Asia, so I’m pretty excited.

TRC: Would you like to add anything?

Jason: I’d like to thank your readers for taking the time to get to know a little about me

LIGHTNING ROUND

FAVORITE FOOD
It changes. Right now it’s Sushi

FAVORITE DESSERT
Ice cream!

FAVORITE TYPE OF CAR
The Tesla Roadster Electric Car

BOXER, BRIEFS OR COMMANDO ( we always ask)
I prefer the hybrid: Boxer-briefs

DARK or MILK CHOCOLATE
Actually, I like white chocolate

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST VACATION
I took a short vacation this past November.

FAVORITE MOVIE
A Few Good Men. when I need a laugh, Stepbrothers

FAVORITE TV SHOW
Modern Family and Community

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

LAST BOOK THAT YOU READ
Stephen King’s 11/22/63

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS
Nope

TRC: Thank you Jason for taking the time to answer our questions. If there is anything you would like to add, go ahead. WE are always interested in what the authors and models have to say. We wish you the best of luck in your career. Please keep us informed as to your progress.

Jason: Thanks!

To visit Jason’s website click here: Jason Vendryes