Jameson Blake reveals that he almost did not push through with his audition for the LGBT-themed movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.
In the film, his character Maximillian Snyder did a much-talked about sensitive scene.
“I almost backed out sa go-see,” admits Jameson during a back-to-back press conference for his movie 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and for Baka Bukas, both of which were entries at the 2016 Cinema One Originals Festival.
Starring Jasmine Curtis, Baka Bukas is currently being shown in commercial cinemas while 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten will open on March 15.
Can it be possible for him fall in love with someone without looking at gender?
Jameson admits, “As I get older, [I realize that] gender doesn’t really matter. As long as you’re comfortable being with them, there’s no barrier [to having a relationship]. If you’re comfortable being with the person and they’re fun to be with [it’s fine]. So I think it’s possible.”
Jameson’s lack of judgment and openness seems to have worked in his favor, as his portrayal in 2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten gave him the Best Supporting Actor award from the 2016 Cinema One Originals Festival.
The 19-year-old actor describes his reaction as “speechless talaga.” He continues, “I never expected this. That award boosted my confidence.”
He is grateful to have been part of this coming-of-age film directed by Petersen Vargas that also won Best Film and Best Cinematography in Cinema One Originals 2016.
The former Pinoy Big Brother 737 housemate recalls, “Before I got the award, wala pa kong teleserye or movie nun.
“After I got the award…Ngayon may soap na ako at may movie na ako.”
How did the other members of Hashtags react to him getting his own movie?
“Actually sa premiere night, yung Hashtags there were a couple of them.
“They were always teasing me dun sa scene, yung below the belt [action] na.
"After I won the award, [sinabihan nila ako]: ‘Nanalo ka dahil pinakita mo yung pwet mo!’" he said with a laugh regarding his butt exposure scene.
Jameson pointed out that this friendly banter is just their way of showing affection.
"Asaran lang pero I know they're just teasing me. I know they're supporting me as well since pumunta sila sa premiere night ko.
"Together with the other Hashtags, we have our own projects and everything...para kaming brothers that's why they're teasing me.
"I know they're proud of me."
His family is aware of his sensitive scene and is supportive of his chosen craft.
"I told my mom about it. I have a masturbating scene."
ON HIS MASTURBATION SCENE. Since he agreed to shoot a masturbation scene for this movie, would he be willing to shoot a more daring scene in the future?
“I'll think maybe 30 times,” says the Hashtags member.
“Yung masturbation scene na ‘yan, I thought twice about it.
“I talked to Direk Petersen to ask what's the purpose of the scene.
“I was thinking how to pull it off na maayos.
“I just kept thinking, just do it. I didn't want to overthink.”
Given his background, Jameson knows what it feels like to be a newcomer.
It also helps that he felt at home in Pampanga, the location of the movie and where he lived for eight years with his Kapampangan parents.
He relates with his character, Maxim, who came from the United States to live in the Philippines with his brother Magnus (played by Ethan Salvador). Their characters become close to Felix (played by Khalil Ramos) who experiences an awakening during their stay.
"I was born and raised in Hong Kong for 10 years,” discloses Jameson.
“After 10 years, I came here to the Philippines and lived in Pampanga.
"I lived there for 8 years na. Yung mom ko Kapampangan and my stepdad ko Kapampangan din.
"I know how the environment goes and I speak a bit [of Kapampangan] rin.
"My character Maximillian Snyder came from the States. I'm half-American and I came from Hong Kong.
"I can relate that he came from different places and coming to a different community. I felt the same way when I came to Pampanga, Angeles City mismo.
"I can understand how Maxim felt when he wanted to leave the Philippines.
That's how I felt at first."
Jameson also reveals how he prepared to portray a character with a twisted mind.
“I relate to everything except how dark Maxim is, his personality and everything,” he says. “Don ko naisip how to adjust talaga, how a guy of Maxim’s age would become a psychopath. Konting adjustment lang.”
To prepare, he watched the film We Need To Talk About Kevin, a psychological thriller about a young man who commits a terrifying massacre in his own school. He used the main character as his inspiration. “I just kept thinking, just be a bad ass,” he says.