Baron Jay stars in The Condo, a new James Cullen Bressack-directed comedy currently doing the rounds on VOD. I managed to catch up with the amiable actor to discuss how the project came about, hurdles experienced along the way, and why reviews don’t matter as much as passion and integrity.

Off the bat, tell us, what does the title mean/refer to?

The title The Condo refers to a place where you will take your mistress or girlfriend too that is not your home where you lay your head. In slang terms its mean the crib or the mancave.

Did you play with a few different titles before deciding on this one?

Yes. James Cullen Bressack the director wanted to name the movie The Mansion.

Who gets to make most of the big decisions on the movie – is it generally the director, producer/s?

It is a collaborative effort. Both producer and director need to bounce decisions and ideas off each other and with the crew and actors as well.

What’s one big decision or addition to the movie that you yourself are solely responsible for?

The biggest decision/sole responsible for was hiring the director James Cullen Bressack. I believe I made a excellent choice. He is an amazing director that has the ability to work under limited resources and make it look like he had all the resources.  Secondly, I selected the location for the Condo and actors.

When did your journey on the movie begin and how did you get involved?

I saw the movie The Apartment and that inspire the Condo. I commissioned Bill Moroni and Bill Dumas to write the script with me as an actor in the film. I was involved from the creation of the concept.

Compared to other projects you’ve done, how different was it?

This one was different because I came up with the ideal of the movie and was there from beginning to the end and I had a chance to work with James Bressack who is 45 years younger than the last director I worked with

Was it a local shoot?

This was a local shoot in Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley at rapper/producer Detail’s residence

Independent productions are tough – any big hurdles along the way or during production?

A week before we were going to shoot the location of the home fell thru while I was in Africa. I was on my phone texting and also at the internet cafe using the computer to send emails to secure another location.

When did you know ‘we’ve really got something here’?

I really knew when I came up with the idea. It was confirmed when we began pre production.

The film has been getting good reviews and feedback; are good reviews the golden ticket for any filmmaker?

Wow…I did not know the film was getting good reviews or any reviews……my passion, persistence and consistency is golden rule….not good reviews