ABC’s of Education: Actor offers SC State students ‘From Dream to Screen’ Masterclass
Image: SC State University (Actor Jason Weaver teaches Masters Class)
Image: SC State University ( Actor Jason Weaver teaches Masters Class 2023)
Orangeburg, SC (WOLO) — What a better way to learn more about the field you are studying then from someone who has been there. South Carolina State University students were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to find out more about careers in acting, screen writing, or producing to get one on one instruction from Actor Jason Weaver.
Most recently known for his role on the popular showtime original hit series, ‘The Chi’, and for offering his singing voice for the animated character ‘Simba’ in the Disney classic, ‘The Lion King’ among other films such as , ATL, and ‘Drumline’.
Image: SC State University (Actor Jason Weaver teaches Masters Class)
Image: SC State University (Actor Jason Weaver Teaches Masters Class)
Weaver stopped by the University to share the tips and tricks of getting into the industry and how to hang on once you do.
“What I want to do is plant a seed in these young minds to be more independent and utilize the technology we have available to us – the digital streaming platforms that we have available to us to get our content and our narratives out there directly to our viewers,” Weaver said. “So, that was our goal here with this inaugural masterclass.
Students who attended the event, in some cases, say it was a ‘spiritual moment’. Many taking every opportunity to get first hand advice from someone they grew up watching on the big screen who looked like them. Weaver taking time to teach these students the importance of building connections, being determined, having resiliency and maintaining their faith in what can often be a cut throat business. More importantly Weaver says he wanted to make sure he was able to inspire these students to know their worth as young black professionals.
SC State University welcomes Actor Jason Weaver as he teaches Masters Class
“My experience at the masterclass was so surreal. I grew up watching Jason Weaver, but I never thought I’d meet him in person,” Walker said. “It was a breathtaking experience because he was so engaging with us. A movie star like that – you wouldn’t expect him to be that engaging and actually take the time to personally get to know us. I like how he didn’t just teach the class; he gained a relationship with all of us.”
The scholars who took part in the Masterclass were able to get a certificate signed by Weaver and University President Alexander Conyers, in addition to a signed photograph of Weaver. A signature that pales in comparison to being able to act out scenes with and get an in depth connection with the actor many of the students say has inspired them as they move forward in the next phase of their education and beyond.
