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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JOHN POTASH (ALIEN HORDE)
Your passion is obviously animals from your Emporium of Curious Creatures to your Animal Talent Unleashed businesses.
When did you know you wanted to work with animals?
I knew from a very young age that whatever I do in life will involve animals, and that has mostly been true. From wildlife rescuer, to educator, business owner, animal organizations board member, political lobbyist and animal trainer/wildlife wrangler! I’m glad I have been able to tie animals into my acting career too.
How did your passion for animals transfer into the film industry?
It all started decades ago, I was doing news spots and wildlife presentations for the Wildlife Rescue Foundation, a non-profit organization I had founded in the 90’s. One day I was approached, asking if I could provide a rattlesnake for a documentary, which I did. After that word started spreading and I ended up providing animals, mostly reptiles, for photo shoots, a feature film, and even a TV special with David Blaine.
Fast forward a few years, I was hired to provide snakes for a Whitesnake music video which motivated me to pursue this further, so I contacted the Nevada Film Commission, started advertising and took to social media.
I have since provided animals for many feature films, documentaries, and commercials using not only reptiles, but also insects, dogs, porcupines, wolves, and I am currently working on securing alligators, owls, and a tiger for some up-coming projects.
What’s your favorite animal to work with?
I am, and have always been, a snake guy. I find them fairly easy to work with most of the time. But I truly enjoy working with all manner of different wildlife and animals and I have worked with so many wild animals including lions and tigers and……you get the idea.
Tell us about your work with Mahal brothers and Alien Horde?
Alien Horde was so much fun while also challenging at the same time. I played 4 different roles, and it was my first time wearing, and doing action, in full masks for many hours on end. But I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Mahal sets run so smoothly and being my 3rd film with them, with many of the same cast and crew, it felt like an extended family reunion.
Do you have a favorite Mahal brothers’ film? No pressure.
This really is a difficult one to answer as I haven’t seen any of the ones I was a part of yet, and I have the feeling they will be amazing! But as far as finished films I’ve seen, I rather enjoyed Arena Wars which I watched at their premiere. In fact, that movie is a very substantial reason I wanted to join Alien Horde!
What film had the best craft services? People need to know!
Not to disparage others I’ve worked with, but nothing compares to crafty provided by the Mahals! It’s better than even any of the SAG sets I’ve been on.
I’ve actually done marketing for a number of films that you’ve been involved in, including A Hard Place, Desert Fiends, Ripper Revealed, The Woodmen, The Farmhouse Murders, Phil Herman’s Unearthed, and maybe a few others. What’s been your most challenging role?
I’d say the most challenging role to date was in The Summer We Died by Dillon Brown. I played a drunk, verbally abusive father, which is about as opposite of my personality as you can get. But with the amazing advice from a friend and mentor, I was able to pull it off and even well enough that I earned specific mentions in a few movie reviews.
What had been the highlight of your acting career?
I find this impossible to answer because there have been so many amazing things that have happened and there is no way I can pick just one. But the fact that I have reached a place where I am now being sought out for roles, well….I guess that would be the highlight….right now as I am noticed and given more opportunities to entertain!
What other actors inspire you?
I am mostly inspired by those who stay true to themselves, no matter their level of success. Probably some of the best known names who are also amazing, humble and incredible people would be Keanu Reeves and in the indie world, John Wells.
While I always pursue improving my craft and want to be a better actor, entertainer and presenter, most importantly I want to always stay me.
What is something that most people don’t know about John Potash?
You know how many kids say, I want to be an actor when I grow up, and then they spend a good part of their lives pursuing it?!
Well, acting was never on my vision board. I never even thought about doing it up until a few years ago when an opportunity fell in my lap that changed my path. I’m still doing all the other things I love, raising and working with animals and running my business training and saving dogs, but now I have this newfound passion to pursue. And people tell me I’m good at it, who knew?
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