TAYLOR JOHN SMITH

Do you live your life through your character’s eyes?

I’m not a method actor, but I have the upmost respect for those who take that path. I do everything I can to live life through my characters eyes but I also understand how important the moments in between takes are. I love people too much to not talk and joke and enjoy the time together as Taylor, then when it’s time to to work I’ll snap into whoever I’m playing.

Do you enjoy waking up and living new life of your character – everyday like a chameleon?

I love getting to explore other people and what makes them do what they do, their choices, life path and emotions are fascinating to me.

How much acting means to you?

I don’t know what I would do without it. It’s scary and thrilling and challenging and every day is different. Can’t ask for a better adventure than that.

You just wrapped project with Liam Neeson and Directed by Mark Williams. Can you tell us about the experience?

Liam and I both play deep cover FBI agents in this thriller. This was my first time doing stunts for a film. The amount of work and creativity put into these fights by Mark Vanselow our stunt coordinator was insane. There was a ton of training everyday for about a month (even over zoom during my two weeks in quarantine) to get these fights as perfect as they could be. I have a huge newfound respect for stuntmen and stuntwomen and what they put their bodies through to tell a great story. 

You played John Keene on Sharp Objects. Can you tell us about working with director Jean-Marc Vallée?

Jean-Marc is an absolute genius. I remember a scene we were filming outside my characters house, and he wanted me to slam my Jeep’s door closed at such a specific time and way, and I couldn’t figure it out what he was doing until he told me he already has the edit his head, and he wants to cut on the sound of the slamming door. Wow. He was directing and editing at the same time and knew exactly what he wanted. He’s Brilliant.

The Outpost is one of the top rated films on Rotten Tomatoes. Can you tell us about The Outpost and your character First Lt. Andrew Bundermann?

In “The Outpost”, I felt a deep responsibility to the Gold Star families, especially to Lt. Andrew Bundermann, who I had the honor of playing. Lt. Bundermann was put in charge of those 52 soldiers the day prior to the outpost getting attacked and didn’t falter or fail to lead his men. I had a great sense of patriotism on that film, wanting to do justice to the brave soldiers who gave so much on that deployment.

The Outpost’s Critics consensus: Told with gripping realism, The Outpost is a thrilling technical feat and a worthy tribute to military heroes. How did you mentally prepared for it?

I spent a lot of time hanging out, talking to, and training with current and former military guys and did a lot of thinking on what it takes to be a leader under fire. Where there are no right or wrong decisions, just deciding the best course of action is the hardest part.

You were among an excellent cast in The Outpost. Are you a team-player?

I don’t think you can be an actor and be a lone wolf. Story telling is such a team sport and if you don’t leave your ego at the door, and be a team player you’re not going to make a great film.

Do you personally feel after playing such character that Vets coming back after the service suffer from PTSD?

I feel like it shouldn’t be called PTSD, just “Post Traumatic Stress”. There is no disorder these men and women have, they experience and take part of things that no one should have to go through, and are expected to return home as if nothing happened at all. War changes people and it’s time we take care of our heroes the way they’ve taken care of us.

Have you suffered from PTS

My girlfriend Jamie and I were at the Route 91 concert when the mass shooting happened in Las Vegas. It definitely affected me and made me even more hyper-aware and vigilant than I felt I already was. It’s hard to shake some of the sounds and mental pictures from that night, and the thoughts of “Did I do enough? Could I have helped one more person?” that kept running through my head afterwards. And if that was just one experience, I can’t imagine what it’s like going through an entire deployment where those thoughts and feelings and dark memories happen over and over.

Should we support the Vets more and provide them with better rehabilitation post-service treatment?

I think the fact that we have to ask that question at all is heartbreaking. Those who serve their country honorably should be treated like royalty when they return, and continue to get whatever support they need to transition back into the civilian world. Let’s start with fixing our VA system first and keep the ball rolling from there.

Would you see yourself in the uniform if it wasn’t for the acting career?

Absolutely, I think there is a calling in every mans heart to fight the good fight, to take on the evil of this world and protect those who cannot protect themselves. The military is the answer to that calling for a lot of people. 

What would be your ultimate character to play?

I’ll be searching for that answer for the rest of my life. 

We are living though a major changes during pandemic. How do you keep yourself motivated? How do you keep in touch with family and loved ones?

I run, workout, journal, read, try and get out of the house as much as possible and remind myself that this is going to be over soon, so don’t wait around, get ready. I keep in touch with friends and family through phone calls, facetimes, and just asking friends and family “How’s your heart?” And then listening to them for as long as they need to talk. Just being available to listen goes a long way.

Do you have any hobbies

Journaling, photography, hiking, and working out.

If you had a chance to go back in time and change anything in your life. What would it be? What kind of an advice would you give your older-self in 20 years?

I wouldn’t change a thing, the good or the bad, it built me into the man I am today and I’m proud of that. I’m not perfect by any means, I got a long way to go, but I’m happy with how things have played out. The advice I would give my older-self in 20 years would probably be “Don’t take yourself or life too seriously, slow down and enjoy the little moments because they are going to end up being the big moments 20 years from now”.