JASON BACA - Fabio on Steroids (and we don't mean chemicals)

Interview by Sharon Hamilton

I've heard about Jason Baca for years now, but until recently, I hadn't had the opportunity to meet him. He showed up at our book signing at Barnes & Noble in San Jose, and I was so thankful he agreed to do this interview, just for our RB4U audience of fantastic authors and readers. Here are some questions and answers I think you're going to enjoy. Hope this adds to your awesome holiday season. Another reason to be thankful for being writers and readers of romance.

1. How did you get started modeling?

Jason- I got started by accident. Back in 1997 I was a double in the movie I know what you did last summer. One of the photographers on location pulled me aside and asked if he could take some photos of me. I said sure..  He turned out to be a great connection for other photographers which then stemmed to clothing and ad modeling which I did for about 10 years.

2. Do you work with a favorite photographer and if so, who do you work with?

Jason – All the million or so photographers I’ve worked with are my favorites, I can’t pick out just one. Some I work with more then others, some I know better. Each gets me in a different mood and adds their own element to each shoot which I like.. Gives variety.

3. Have you ever been on a shoot and something horribly went wrong? Can you describe it?

Jason – you know, I’ve been pretty darn lucky with it all..  I haven’t had anything go terribly wrong as far as my end of it goes. Though one time I shot when I was in terrific shape then come to find out, the photographer had their studio broken into the very next day. They stole their camera’s that had the photos. It was a huge disappointment that’s for sure.

4. Have you ever had a clothing or prop malfunction on a photoshoot?

Jason – Sure there are always little things that I later end up seeing that I don’t like. Now a days though, with the way graphic artists are so skilled, they can easily hide whatever it is that’s not looking right.

5. Do you mind when the graphic artist changes your hair color? If so, what color  do you like the least?

Jason – no I don’t mind one bit. Kinda cool actually..  Well the color I’d like the least? How about bald? Does that count?  Great Answer (Sharon).

6. What was your favorite photo shoot location and why?

Jason – In a warm studio I’d have to say. I can just get into character better and play with the camera more vs. being outdoors with people staring. I’ve never been crazy about outdoor shoots and the whole big production thing. I don’t like drawing attention to myself if I can help it.  Awww. You're a keeper, Jason! (Sharon)

7. Your least favorite photo shoot location and why?

Jason – Outdoors or out in the woods. Seems the shadows from the trees just don’t do me any justice.

8. Favorite photo shoot character you portrayed and why?

Jason – I’d go with the army theme as most fun. I like to be able to cut my hair short, this gives me an excuse to do so. Not only that, my Dad was a Army Veteran and I think it’s an outfit he’d have gotten a kick out of if he was still around today. I know you are proud of your dad. Thanks so much to your whole family for his service. I'm sure you miss him.

9. Is there one place you’d love to do a shoot at and have not gotten the chance to? 

Jason – I’ve touched them all.. Every desirable location/studio, I’ve been to. I’m not at a shoot to enjoy the location though, I’m there to get the job done. It’s what I’m hired to do so I see myself as a piece to the puzzle.

10. Any kind of shoot you would not do (except the obvious ones)?  
    

Jason – sure, there are plenty of “themes” I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole.

          11. Ever worked with another actor/model who was embarrassed? Were you ever intimidated working with another actor/model? Any funny stories?

Jason – I personally haven’t been nervous, the TV show The Insider was a fun one where the correspondent posed with me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7hGHZkLXTI&t=13s  I loved this YouTube! Fun stuff!  

          12. What are your hobbies?

Jason – well growing up I was a baseball player. I played high school and college ball before moving on to other stuff. 

           13. Where do you call home?

Jason – Los Gatos, CA. 

           14. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Jason – Probably in the mountains of New Hampshire. Just beautiful out there. 

           15.  When you go to conventions and get all the attention of readers and authors, does it ever make you uncomfortable? How do you handle it, if it does?

Jason – I have yet to go to one. I keep getting invited to go, I just haven’t managed to get the time to get out to one. I hear this year it’ll be in Atlanta which I’d love to visit. We’ll have to wait and see on that.

Thanks so much, Jason! Those answers were fantastic. I can see you are a real professional and why you are so much in demand. We appreciate having actors and models like you who help us sell our books, and help readers visualize those wonderful heroes we write about. 

Happy New Year. Please come back and visit us again sometime!

Interview of Cover Model, Grigoris Drakakis: Greek Gods To Drool Over

Grigoris Drakakis

What a treat to be able to interview such an interesting and handsome man, who is also one of the most successful cover models in history. When I hear the term "Greek God" I shall forever think of Grigoris. I know I'd completely lose it if I met him in person.

Oh this is tough work, but someone's got to do it!

We did this interview through an interpreter friend of Grigoris'. I have left some of his translated idioms in place on purpose, because I think it gives us more of a color and feel of the man inside the statue.

1. How did you get started modeling? What was your first paying gig?
At the beginning I did it for the money but in the process I loved it.  I have worked in many areas of modeling such as photography, advertising, television, shows and on stage as well…. The first photograph I did was with a site modelwin that helped me decide to go professionally. The first portfolio that I remember I did was with Katie Machalister Much Ado about Vampires in New York. This made me feel wonderful because I took part and gave me the opportunity to be part of a book of a very significant author from the US.

2. What was the most difficult thing getting started? What was your most difficult shoot?
Every new beginning has difficulties, so I also faced some, which I overcame with time. Of course there are and will always be difficulties, besides if there weren't any, then it wouldn't be interesting and wouldn't motivate for more efforts in becoming better. The most difficult shoot was when I worked outside during the winter with very low temperatures and rain. It seemed simple but it was very difficult. In these situations I imagine my body warm…in some situations  though I have gotten sick and was in bed for days with a high fever.

3. Have you ever turned down a shoot or modeling job? If so what? Why?
I have turned down shoots that had inappropriate nudity.

(So glad he said inappropriate. We like him fairly skimpily clad, right?)

4. What do you like about being a romance novel icon?
Reading romance novels is entertaining, so I feel very nice to be a novel icon on these romantic novels because is like contributing in a way to the entertainment of the people.

(Great answer.)

5. What do you like about romance writers in general (or do you think we're all a bunch of oversexed crazies)?

Generally I admire people of intellect, so most writers, at least those whom I have met personally, are intellectual, educated, serious and cultivated. 

(I'm wondering now how many conventions he's been to.)

6. If you could live anywhere and money was no object, where would you live?
I would love to travel, live and meet cultures and traditions of different places as much as I can. Is a life dream. I would like to go to my favorite place like a Safari in Africa . At this point I live in Greece where I believe is one of the most beautiful countries and I feel blessed that I live so many years here. I have visited the US for work. I have lived in Los Angeles where I have friends which are like family to me. Los Angeles is very special. The people are friendly and the rhythm of life is without stress. The climate is warm in contrast to New York where it is a beautiful state, friendly but the people have a lot of stress, fast paced and the weather is very cold. So that is why I would like to move to Los Angeles because of professional proposals and opportunities that would help me with my career in modeling

7. If you have one, does your significant other ever get jealous of your work?
Generally I try not to provoke so I prevent these kinds of behaviors. Surly in the past has happened a few times.

8. What do you like least about what you do?
Nothing, I love my job and it fulfills me.

9. If you could do anything else and money was no object, what would you do?
 Of course I would like to buy a house with swimming pool and an expensive sport car but apart of what might all of us want, I would like to be able to help poor people and those who really need help.

10. What is one thing probably very few people know about you?
I don't think that there is any... Generally I open up and I have talked in previous interviews I think about everything that concerns me.

11. Who do you admire most in your field?
There are many models that I admire but I wouldn't like to name any as I might forget some and be unfair to them.

12. Do you have any favorite authors? Who?
Of course I have favorite authors, some of them are my friends so I wouldn't like to refer in details in order not to be unfair to others that they might deserve it too.

(I know, many of these answers are unfair. Sorry.)

13. What advice would you give authors about choosing a cover model or cover for their books? And what makes a good cover, in your opinion? The model? Photographer?
Definitely they should see their previous work that they have done for covers or professional shootings, as a model that has been chosen to do shootings for many book covers means that is good and this is a criteria to choose them. A good cover depends on many factors….certainly a good model or a good photographer on their own is not enough…the model should on its own  photograph in a picture with the camera and emanate experience by taking the right poses and the right expressions according to the concept of the photograph…the photographer should know how to utilize the proper lighting so as to be able to promote the best characteristics of the model with the highest dynamics and certainly there should be a person like the  cover artist  that knows very well how to process the image so that the final result of the cover is the best it can be.

14. Where have you lived? Name all the countries or cities you've lived in?
I was born in Greece, lived in Athens until I was 8 years old and then I moved to Lavrio which is a small city a bit further out from Athens. I have lived for small periods in America where I did jobs in New York and Los Angeles.

15. What was the sexiest, most exotic photo shoot you've done?
I have done many sexy shootings, I don't know which of them are considered sexier, but I have never done nude shootings. I have done photographs in beautiful places that look exotic but I have never been in a real exotic place. I would love the opportunity to do such a photograph on the islands of Fiji…I would think of many different concepts in such a magical enchanting place.

16. What else do you do well? Hobbies?
 Kick Boxing, weight training, boxing.

Well, it's been a pleasure having you here today. I can't wait until our paths cross next year at RT. Until then, keep those wonderful sexy covers coming. I'm sure millions of women are loving all the success you're having! Thanks for being so generous with your time.

Here's how you can get hold of Grigoris:

Here is my web site - eshop:   www.4modelactor.com

And here is my profile on Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/grigoris.drakakis

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

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