HM #018 - Interview Jacques Chevelle

Retrouvez l'interview VF dans HypnoMag#18, pages 4 à 7.

You star in the comedy series Side Hustle, created by Dave Malkoff and broadcast on Nickelodeon since 2020 in the United States. In France, this series has been broadcasting since the April 25th, 2021 on Nickelodeon Teen. Can you introduce Jaget, your character on the show? 

Jaget is a legend in his own mind! He comes into a situation guns blazing, not knowing what the situation is half the time, but that never stops him from asserting himself.

The first season saw its number of episodes increase twice, from 13 to 20 episodes to end with 26 episodes. A great proof of its success at a complicated time for filming right now. How did the shooting of the series go? 

It was a little challenging at the beginning of shooting; there were a lot of rules and procedures we had to follow every day, but as the weeks went on, it became an easier process. We still had fun and tried to enjoy every moment on set.

The show follows the adventures of Lex (Jules LeBlanc), Presley (Jayden Bartels), Munchy (Isaiah Crews) and Fisher (Mitchell Berg), a group of friends. You play the older brother of Munchy. Are you a little bit the “big brother” for this group of young talent?

Yeah, a little bit, but most of the time, they end sharing all of the new memes and music with me. They introduced me to a couple of incredible artists that are now in rotation on my playlist.

Can you a funny moment or an anecdote on the set of this first season? 

The sets are fun! There are excellent instruments and pogo sticks. Mitchell, who plays Fisher, was pogo-ing around while the set was getting ready. For Halloween, the whole cast and crew dressed up as our different characters. There's a lot of fun stuff that happens behind the scenes. 

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

I saw Queen Latifah perform in Set it Off and Last Holiday. I was transfixed! I can't put my finger on it, but it was something she expressed through her performance that drew me in. Maybe it was her compassion, or that she could empathize with polar opposite characters.  Either way, I was hooked.

You have played in plays, including MacBeth, Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, or in musicals like Shrek the Musical and Into the Woods. Is there a difference between on-stage acting and television? Do you have a preference? 

Since I am on a multi-cam show, every episode feels like I'm putting on a play. I'm holding for laughs and cheating out towards the audience. It's like putting on a small play in a week. One major difference is that a director says "cut" when a scene is finished. Theater is my first love, and I don't see a future without me hitting the stage again! 

You also played Dennis, one of the main roles in the short film Sex Digits, which won the 2018 AT&T Create-A-Thon Los Angeles competition. What memories do you have of this project? 

I remember being able to work with some of my castmates from school. A friend told me about the project and thought I would be a good fit for it.

In 2021, you joined the team of the short film Neighborhood Crooks, written and directed by William Leon. You were part of the casting and sound departments and also the artistic director. Did you enjoy this experience behind the scenes of a project? 

This is one of the many projects I have done with my friends. We were walking around Warner Bros. Studios one night, and we came up with the idea. Everything just came together so perfectly. It's always a blast to work with friends because it is easier  to communicate, and the process is always fun. 

Would you also like to pursue a career in project development, behind the camera? 

I would love to continue to develop my skills behind the camera! Hopefully I will get a chance to do that in the future.

Are there any personalities or actors that inspire you in life or for your career? If so, which ones?

I love Viola Davis. She's at the top. Issa Rae…she reminds me so much of my hometown Atlanta, and she does such an excellent job with Insecure. Ben Platt and Josh Thomas. I pull from a lot of amazing actors, and their work inspires me.

Do you have any advice for young talent who would like to pursue an artistic career? 

Find fun in the exploration and performance! That is 70% of becoming a successful artist. If it is not exciting for you, then you might have to go back to the drawing board.

Have you ever been to France? Would you like to say a word to your French-speaking fans?

I am actually planning a trip next year to visit France with a couple of my friends. Thanks so much for watching Side Hustle. I hope you have enjoyed all of our shenanigans!

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Credits:

Photographer: Telena Cassell @lovelenaocean
Clothing: Ben Sherman & Stylist’s Own