Jordan Calloway was booked and busy with the latest episode of Fireplace Nation, which had him pulling double responsibility as an actor and director.
In the course of the Friday, November 7, episode of the hit CBS collection, Jake (Calloway) discovered himself within the operating to be Cal Fireplace Battalion Chief, however that required proving he could lead on the crew. Jake bumped into some points with Bode (Max Thieriot), who was nonetheless grieving his father’s demise and a near-relapse.
Jake’s greatest efforts weren’t sufficient, and finally Manny (Kevin Alejandro) scored his job. Calloway, in the meantime, had far more enjoyable offscreen attending to direct an episode of tv for the primary time ever. The actor, 35, spoke solely to Us Weekly about balancing the shocking developments in Jake’s arc together with his job as a director:
That is such an essential episode for Jake. Did that make it simpler or tougher for this to be your directorial debut?
I’d be mendacity if I stated it was a bit of cake. What made it simple was my crew and my forged. Truthfully, it was such enjoyable and such a pleasure. I used to be drained at instances, positively, nevertheless it wasn’t laborious or troublesome in any respect. Everybody was so gracious and supportive. I simply dove into the story for all of my characters, for all of my actors.
What did you be taught from this primary go?
The one factor that I realized is that it’s so good to belief and lean in your crew. Having performed sports activities helped tremendously, as a result of as a crew captain you already know the completely different gamers which you can depend on to step up in sure instances.
Did you ask your costars for his or her particular person recommendation? What was one of the best tip you acquired?
The very best recommendation I acquired on set was I’d hear, “Inform your story and don’t be afraid to go away your mark on right here. There may be the tone of the present, but additionally inform your story. Get in there and do it. However do it the way you see it and don’t rush.”
That was very useful, as a result of I do bear in mind at one level I used to be so anxious and consumed concerning the time. I used to be on digital camera and we had gotten the shot, and so they requested, “Are you able to go?” I used to be like, “I assume I’m able to go.” However Quincy [Paglaro], our A digital camera operator, he was like, “Are you positive? This can be a shot that you just actually wished, and I feel you must go see it by.” That’s what I imply by my crew having my again.
Did you all the time wish to direct?
I initially by no means considered directing. It was my mother and father that had been those that had been like, “You’re going to be director.” I didn’t suppose so. I went to highschool for cinematic manufacturing and I minored in screenwriting. I believed I used to be simply going to put in writing after which perhaps be a showrunner.
However I ended up getting into this. I wished to direct again once I was doing a present previous to this known as Black Lightning. Then the chance simply got here up with Fireplace Nation as a result of the opposite present had ended earlier than I might really go in.
I assume this made you interested by doing this extra. Are you hoping to do extra Fireplace Nation episodes?
It’s simply one other automobile as a inventive and as a storyteller to only inform a narrative. I hope they name me again. I hope the viewers enjoys it. I hope they really feel the emotion that I’m attempting to emote by the characters. I hope my actors really feel as if I advised their story to its fullest accurately.
Fireplace Nation places in a whole lot of work to make their forged look practically unrecognizable on the present. The CBS collection, which premiered in 2022, follows inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) as he will get an opportunity to shorten his jail sentence by volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. Bode will get assigned to his hometown the place […]
If you are thriving behind the scenes, Jake goes by it. It looks like he can by no means catch a break, so speak to me about how this new improvement with Manny taking on impacts Jake. Is he actually leaving?
Jake, he’s an enormous softie. He has a whole lot of coronary heart, which is likely one of the issues that makes Jake who he’s. With the whole lot that he’s endured, there may be a purpose that he does want to go away, and we shouldn’t be unhappy about that. We must always embrace that, and it’s been a pleasure.
I’m completely joking with you, by the best way. I’m fantastic and he’s going to be right here. He’ll work by it, he’ll get his s*** collectively.
I used to be actually anxious he would possibly go away!
He’s going to be OK. Since you see how he takes on humility on the finish of the episode and he realizes we have to come collectively on this new downside. This new downside is a saving grace for the trio, as a result of whereas all of them take care of these various things in their very own proper, that is one thing that’s unifying the three of them as a way to deal with it collectively.
What are you able to tease concerning the word and its significance?
We’re going to search out out. I’m not going to damage something, however I feel this new downside is a serious nuke that’s nearly to rock your entire household. If we all know Vince and the way a lot he beloved Sharon, I don’t see it. However that’s simply my opinion.
That is all tied to Vince and Gabriela leaving. What was it like for you coming again to set and Billy and Stephanie aren’t there?
It was an enormous blow shedding them. It’s a change within the dynamic. However on the identical time, we want them properly and we miss them. I simply love assembly new artists which have their very own dedication to the craft and simply come present up and simply crush it.
Is it laborious taking part in a personality who’s the voice of purpose when the present follows Bode, who is nearly all the time opposing Jake?
It turns into irritating at instances — clearly — however these two have such a bond that goes again to diapers. I do know this dude is gonna be who he’s however I do know his coronary heart and his intention, so I will probably be there to all the time choose him up.
Fireplace Nation went by a number of shocking forged modifications — and demotions — forward of season 4, however which characters are returning to the present? The CBS collection, which premiered in 2022, follows inmate Bode (Max Thieriot) as he makes an attempt to shorten his jail sentence by volunteering for the California Conservation Camp Program. After being assigned […]
What else are you able to tease about Jake’s journey?
Now that he’s not going to be the BC, he’s previous that crossroad of the heartbreak. He’s additionally studying and he’ll get to a spot the place he’s studying one thing new inside himself. He realizes that there are areas in his life that he didn’t maintain and they’re people that he didn’t assist.
We’re not simply speaking about those who had been, like, victims, however we’re speaking about there’s stuff that he must maintain inside his personal camp. He received that from the conclusion that he missed the mark together with his greatest buddy. Jake’s the kind to fall again into his head and do some soul-searching and repair it.
Have you ever had any particular requests for him?
A request is to let me get to Sheriff Nation. Possibly we wish to see Jake go somewhat darkish. Possibly he falls into one thing that he must be saved from. I’m an enormous fan of telling truthful tales that first responders take care of.
I’ve quite a lot of associates which can be first responders, and one of many issues that I’d love to speak about is the psychological struggles and the problems that these first responders take care of, from issues that they’ve seen and the way essential their core circle is.
