Questions and Answers with Jessica Luza
(Teri in The Lost & Found Family)
Q: Have you always wanted to act? What did your family think about your interest in acting?
A: I can honestly say that yes, I have always wanted to act. I joke that because I was an only child for seven years I had to entertain myself; as a kid I loved putting on shows for family members and my imaginary audiences. My family has always been incredibly supportive and they have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. While sometimes they may not understand why I want to be a part of a profession that is extremely difficult to break into, they have never pushed me in any other direction and I am so grateful for that.
How did you get into acting?
A: The day my braces were removed in the fifth grade I begged my mom to let me get an agent in Atlanta, and after meeting a few and signing with one, I have been working ever since. I shot my first commercial shortly after, and I slowly started to build my resume over the years. I moved to Los Angeles two days after I graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology & Culture. Los Angeles has always been on my radar, but I also wanted to have a college degree because I value the importance of education (and wanted to make my parents happy).
What do you like most about the profession? What do you like the least?
A: Acting is such an exciting profession because you get to live other people's lives and have experiences that you otherwise may never be given the chance to explore. I would go crazy if I worked an 8-to-5 job in an office and didn't have the freedom and flexibility to branch out creatively. With an acting job, you are given the opportunity to play different characters in different environments on a daily basis.
The competition and pressures the industry places on actors is what I like the least. It is incredibly challenging to "get your foot in the door" and get to the point where you can choose the roles you would like to play and have the freedom to be a part of the projects you would like to associate yourself with. There are so many talented individuals that are wanting to do the same thing; sometimes it is difficult and can be discouraging when you are trying to set yourself apart and just get work because this is what you are passionate about.
What drew you to The Lost & Found Family?
A: A good family film is hard to come by. This movie is family friendly and sends out a positive message while not being overly preachy. There never seem to be enough movies out that the whole family can watch and enjoy together.
What did you like most about your character? What did you find challenging about playing her?
A: For the most part, Teri is a strong-willed and confident individual. She does not care how others view her and expresses her creativity in the way she dresses and wears her hair. Although she is still a scared little girl at times, she does an amazing job of not letting others get to her and staying true to herself. Those are all noble characteristics and having self-confidence at all times is hard for anyone! It was challenging to identify with her past abusive relationships, but from the script and poetry she reads, it was much easier to imagine how scarring and upsetting a situation like that would be.
What were some of the more memorable experiences from shooting this film?
A: The dinner table scene with our foster parents and all the kids (minus Michael May) stands out as being one of the lighter and funnier scenes during the shoot. On and off-screen the kids were so adorable and of course would say the most hysterical things which made it hard to keep a straight face on camera at times. I love to bake and had a lot of fun the day I brought in homemade cookies and cupcakes to the cast and crew—I hope they actually enjoyed them as much as they said they did. I am also grateful for having had the chance to work with Barnet Bain and Lucas Till, both of whom I keep in touch with regularly. Lucas has moved to L.A. as well and I practically view him as a little brother and enjoy catching up with him and meeting for sushi where we share our crazy experiences from living in L.A. and talk about how we miss Georgia.
What do you hope people experience when they watch this movie?
A: I hope people experience a sense of belonging and togetherness. Family is so important and I think that is illustrated well in the movie. I also hope that people experience a need and wanting to help others in our neighborhood, community, etc. We need to remember that we should treat people the way we would like to be treated. My family and I like to remind each other to "do one good deed a day," whether that is simply holding a door open for someone at the grocery store or donating $5 to a Red Cross bucket in the airport.
Has this film changed the way you look at foster families and kids in the foster-care system?
A: It just saddens me to think that many families are not as fortunate as the one in the film and are often moved from house to house and probably feel a sense of displacement. However, I also think it is great how kids from many walks of life can be raised together under one roof and view each other as family when in other situations they may never have actually had the opportunity to cross paths.
What's next for you?
A: I don't have any immediate projects lined up yet, but I am confident that I will very soon. I also plan on giving myself more time to enjoy another passion of mine—writing. In addition to acting, I plan on writing at least one screenplay and have a pilot in the works as well. The entertainment industry is so fascinating to me and I hope to get the opportunity to experience many sides of it.
(Teri in The Lost & Found Family)
Q: Have you always wanted to act? What did your family think about your interest in acting?A: I can honestly say that yes, I have always wanted to act. I joke that because I was an only child for seven years I had to entertain myself; as a kid I loved putting on shows for family members and my imaginary audiences. My family has always been incredibly supportive and they have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. While sometimes they may not understand why I want to be a part of a profession that is extremely difficult to break into, they have never pushed me in any other direction and I am so grateful for that.
How did you get into acting?
A: The day my braces were removed in the fifth grade I begged my mom to let me get an agent in Atlanta, and after meeting a few and signing with one, I have been working ever since. I shot my first commercial shortly after, and I slowly started to build my resume over the years. I moved to Los Angeles two days after I graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology & Culture. Los Angeles has always been on my radar, but I also wanted to have a college degree because I value the importance of education (and wanted to make my parents happy).
What do you like most about the profession? What do you like the least?
A: Acting is such an exciting profession because you get to live other people's lives and have experiences that you otherwise may never be given the chance to explore. I would go crazy if I worked an 8-to-5 job in an office and didn't have the freedom and flexibility to branch out creatively. With an acting job, you are given the opportunity to play different characters in different environments on a daily basis.
The competition and pressures the industry places on actors is what I like the least. It is incredibly challenging to "get your foot in the door" and get to the point where you can choose the roles you would like to play and have the freedom to be a part of the projects you would like to associate yourself with. There are so many talented individuals that are wanting to do the same thing; sometimes it is difficult and can be discouraging when you are trying to set yourself apart and just get work because this is what you are passionate about.
What drew you to The Lost & Found Family?
A: A good family film is hard to come by. This movie is family friendly and sends out a positive message while not being overly preachy. There never seem to be enough movies out that the whole family can watch and enjoy together.
What did you like most about your character? What did you find challenging about playing her?
A: For the most part, Teri is a strong-willed and confident individual. She does not care how others view her and expresses her creativity in the way she dresses and wears her hair. Although she is still a scared little girl at times, she does an amazing job of not letting others get to her and staying true to herself. Those are all noble characteristics and having self-confidence at all times is hard for anyone! It was challenging to identify with her past abusive relationships, but from the script and poetry she reads, it was much easier to imagine how scarring and upsetting a situation like that would be.
What were some of the more memorable experiences from shooting this film?
A: The dinner table scene with our foster parents and all the kids (minus Michael May) stands out as being one of the lighter and funnier scenes during the shoot. On and off-screen the kids were so adorable and of course would say the most hysterical things which made it hard to keep a straight face on camera at times. I love to bake and had a lot of fun the day I brought in homemade cookies and cupcakes to the cast and crew—I hope they actually enjoyed them as much as they said they did. I am also grateful for having had the chance to work with Barnet Bain and Lucas Till, both of whom I keep in touch with regularly. Lucas has moved to L.A. as well and I practically view him as a little brother and enjoy catching up with him and meeting for sushi where we share our crazy experiences from living in L.A. and talk about how we miss Georgia.
What do you hope people experience when they watch this movie?
A: I hope people experience a sense of belonging and togetherness. Family is so important and I think that is illustrated well in the movie. I also hope that people experience a need and wanting to help others in our neighborhood, community, etc. We need to remember that we should treat people the way we would like to be treated. My family and I like to remind each other to "do one good deed a day," whether that is simply holding a door open for someone at the grocery store or donating $5 to a Red Cross bucket in the airport.
Has this film changed the way you look at foster families and kids in the foster-care system?
A: It just saddens me to think that many families are not as fortunate as the one in the film and are often moved from house to house and probably feel a sense of displacement. However, I also think it is great how kids from many walks of life can be raised together under one roof and view each other as family when in other situations they may never have actually had the opportunity to cross paths.
What's next for you?
A: I don't have any immediate projects lined up yet, but I am confident that I will very soon. I also plan on giving myself more time to enjoy another passion of mine—writing. In addition to acting, I plan on writing at least one screenplay and have a pilot in the works as well. The entertainment industry is so fascinating to me and I hope to get the opportunity to experience many sides of it.
