By: Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Jackson Balint’s favourite films of all-time are Whiplash and La La Land. He says that director Damien Chazelle’s methodology of storytelling through the medium of film—through lights, sounds, characters, etc.—have always inspired him and he professes that he has never watched one of his films and “not felt something so incredibly passionate”.
In the theatre, Balint is drawn to the complex and formidable Javert of Les Misérables. A man with a set way of living, who tumbles from grace into a world of pain and anguish.
These are Balint’s dream roles. To be moved, to shape a story with a look or a turn of phrase, to move others.
A recent graduate of the University of Windsor, who grew up in LaSalle, Balint is making a name for himself in the local acting world. He recently starred as Rio in Bird Room’s “Proving Grounds”, directed by John Strahl. The production won six awards, including Best of Flickfest 2024 at the Windsor International Film Festival’s Mark Boscariol’s 48-Hour Flickfest.
“The film is about Rio, an insecure detective, who is under the impression that he will be replaced by his partner if he does not solve the murder case all by himself, proving that he is a capable detective,” reports Balint.
The rules of the festival are a true test of the art form of filmmaking, giving the crew a limited time to produce their story.
“The process is exhilarating because you basically have no idea what’s going on,” he explains. “You are given prompts for the Flickfest right when the 48 hours you get to create a film begins, so it is up to the team to write a script and find a location, and you just need to be ready to go at any moment. Rio did not exist before those 48 hours began, so my process of creating a character was shortened quite a bit, but that’s what makes the Flickfest so exciting.”
Balint felt the process both liberating and inspiring.
“Leading up to the event, I was questioning whether I was good enough or if I was talented enough to make a difference in the world with my work, but seeing myself on that screen and seeing how people reacted to our film reminded me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing,” he says. “An artist’s life is difficult because you will always compare yourself to others and wonder if you are talented enough, but remember to breathe and remember that you are good enough.”
Balint says that he has been acting for 11 years now, and at 22 years old, he has realized the gift he has been given for half his life.
“Looking back on that, I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to do so for all these years and the years to come,” he explains. “When it comes to what inspired me to act—I had wonderful teachers growing up that encouraged me to express myself and pushed me to not give up on acting. They saw something in me that I didn’t see, and they told me to go for it and here I am now.”
He is excited to have recently graduated from university, having completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program. During his time there, he was a part of five University Players productions—The Sweet Science of Bruising, Tinkerbell, Twelfth Night, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Little Women—and was elected student body president for the School of Dramatic Arts. Through the experience, he was also able to perform in Toronto and find representation with an agency there.
“It goes to show that if you really put your mind to something, you can achieve anything!” he exclaims. “Dreams become goals and limits are shattered. I would like to thank my professors and mentors Lionel Walsh and Meaghen Quinn for always having my back and for being the greatest supporters to me on my journey as a creator. I would also like to thank my parents for allowing their crazy son to choose the acting program over the criminology program at the University of Windsor!”
As a side note, the University of Windsor recently announced the shutting down of University Players—a 65-year tradition and a major blow to the dramatic arts in this region—citing cost-cutting due to an $5.6 million shortfall due to rising the school’s operational costs. A decision that has caused some outrage.
When pressed, Balint says that his two favourite roles have been Chris Bean in The Play That Goes Wrong and Charles Edwards in Mary’s Wedding.
The Play That Goes Wrong, directed by Alice Nelson in 2023, Balint says is the biggest show he has taken part in. He says that the play forced him to push his own limits and proved to him that he had what it takes to be an actor.
In Mary’s Wedding, directed by Walsh and presented by Inspired Acting Lab and Heritage Colchester, Balint shared the limelight with the talented Ocean Oliviera, as Mary, in a wartime romance story. He describes the production as mentally demanding and one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. “It was the most truthful I’ve felt as an actor, performing as Charlie. He goes on a journey as a pure and innocent boy who falls deeply in love with a girl who is then forced to grow up and fight in a war that he sadly does not return from. Every night was emotional, beautiful, and most prominently truthful.”
Living in Windsor, Balint is working with his agent in Toronto, submitting audition tapes, looking for the opportunity to continue his passion.
“I still have a large mountain to climb before I achieve my goals, but I have no doubt in my mind that I can do it,” he states. “Like my grandfather used to say, ‘Keep your stick on the ice—it’s the only way you can score.'”
To keep up-to-date with Jackson Balint and his upcoming projects, please follow him on Instagram at @balintofjackson
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