Meet Steve Kaszas, Star of The Award-Winning Comedy ‘Speak Your Mind’

The award-winning coming-of-age comedy feature ‘Speak Your Mind’ makes its North American premiere on iTunes and Amazon Prime today. Speak Your Mind follows the story of Jacob (Steve Kaszas) who has a difficult time with his girlfriend Cassie (Angeliki Athanassoulias), his new boss Anthony (Justin Darmanin), and his struggling acting career. His prestigious acting teacher Robert Williams (Paul Nicholas Mason) advises him to emit an “aura of truth” to level up in the acting game. His trusted therapist suggests he use the “mind speaking method” to achieve this – saying everything he thinks at all times, regardless of the consequences.  We had the pleasure of catching up with the lead actor to discuss the film and what audiences should expect.

Hi Steve, thank you for granting the interview. Congratulations on the success and digital release of Speak Your Mind. Firstly, how did you get involved in the industry?

I was sitting with my mother at our kitchen counter at 11 PM one night, during the “gap year” I had taken after barely graduating high school, (I had no intentions of ever going back to a traditional school) trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do with my life. An hour-long, extremely emotional conversation about the infinite paths I could choose gave me something close to my first bout of severe anxiety. While splashing some water on my face in the bathroom upstairs after having run away from the difficult conversation, something I still can’t quite explain came over me. I came downstairs, looked my mother in the eye, and told her, “Mom, I think I want to be an actor.” I am beyond blessed to have such a supportive family, as literally 45 minutes later, my mom, the master of manifestation, had found and helped me submit my enrolment application for the Vancouver Film School, forever changing my life.

Please tell us more about the film and what audiences can expect?

Speak Your Mind is an easy to consume coming of age comedy about a struggling actor trying to realize his truth in a ridiculously tactless fashion. The best part? No lazy clichés or tropes. Just 105 minutes of big-hearted fun with a pretty solid message given our tumultuous climate, without becoming preachy or annoying. Seriously, give it a shot. I’m extremely proud of this film.

Tell us about your role as Jacob

I play a full-grown full-blown man child who can’t comprehend why nobody but his therapist seems to understand him. Drastic & destructive measures are taken (to hilarious effect) to remedy this predicament. It was pretty liberating to basically get carte blanche in taking my antics as far as I wanted within the scope of the film, and the entire process was essentially a boot camp for me to get more comfortable expressing myself as a person. I owe huge thanks to our director Cyrus Baetz and the entire crew for the opportunity to evolve.

Jacob has a difficult time with his girlfriend Cassie (Angeliki Athanassoulias), his new boss Anthony (Justin Darmanin), and his struggling acting career. How relatable do you think his role is to the average guy on the street?

Apart from the acting bit, I think everyone has at least some experience with relational or career struggles. That was one of the foundational objectives with the story and the character; to portray as relatable experience as possible, with the vicarious catharsis of an exaggerated, throw it back in their face response to the perceived injustice. Turns out, being a dick doesn’t usually solve your problems.

You worked with writer and director, Cyrus Baetz. Please share your experience working on set with Cyrus and the crew.

I met Cyrus at an audition for a short he did a few years ago and I have no shame in admitting we have been in a love affair ever since. Even my wife knows and has accepted this reality. It’s rare in life you can meet someone who you so easily connect with, who also happens to be in the same industry as you, in perfectly complementing roles. That man is my brother, and the team we assembled to pull off this film was nothing short of AMAZING to work with. I appreciate that this may sound like a hyperbolic cliche answer, but the fluidity and efficiency of our compact shoot was so sincerely outstanding that Cyrus and I literally still talk about how lucky we are to this day.

SPEAK YOUR MIND made its premiere at the 2019 Toronto Independent Film Festival where it received the award for Best Feature. The film also had a successful festival run with multiple sold-out screenings. How has its success impacted your career?

While the accolades and attention are obviously tremendously appreciated, the biggest thing to come of all this is the genuine belief and reinforcement that this dream is not only possible but a hell of a lot of fun. There’s nothing like the thrill of showing people something you’ve made, regardless of their reaction to it. It’s pure energetic joy, and I am 100% addicted to it.

Pandemic allowing, what other projects should we look forward to seeing you involved in?

I look forward to working with Cyrus again soon, as he’s got something cooking that I’m personally very excited about. On top of that a film company I co-founded with 7 close peers, Alright Alice Productions, is on the verge of releasing our film Link, a science fiction short exploring the future of technology and its effect, both positive and catastrophic, on human connection.

Where will we find out more information about you?

Check out alrightalice.com and follow @speakyourmindmovie, @alrightaliceproductions, and myself @stevearmstrongkaszas for loads of good clean family fun! Seriously if you don’t get at least a sharp exhale through the nose watching my Actors Life Hacks series I will mail you a 99-cent bag of delicious authentic Canadian ketchup chips. Thanks for having me Occhi!

https://youtu.be/2pj0Fte8OKw

About Author

David Emmanuel Noel

David Emmanuel Noel is an avid blogger, film fanatic, art enthusiast, music lover, and theatergoer. He is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and PR consultant who has been involved in several music events and visual art exhibitions at venues such as the Kennedy Center Washington DC, Bernie Grant Arts Centre London, the Landmark Arts Building New York, and Whole 9 Gallery in Culver City, California. He has worked closely with institutes, professional bodies, and agencies such as the Royal Institute of British Architects, New York Mayor’s Office, CAMBA- the New York-based agency, the NSPCC, and several London Boroughs on projects supporting the environmental and therapeutic benefits of the arts. He is based in London and New York.

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