Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"AUSTIN ZAJUR"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: You played "Blockchain Coltrane" in Kevin Smith's "Clerks 3" film, how did you land this role?
AUSTIN: In 2020, Kevin appeared on a TBS show called Celebrity Show-Off, where different celebrities would compete each week to produce the most compelling content from their homes. The longer you stayed in the competition, the more money you could raise for charity. For this, Kevin wrote a sitcom-style show called Son in Lockdown, about being forced into living with his daughter's new boyfriend, whom he ended up hating. The only thing that seemed fictional was the sitcom format itself, but everything else was based on real life. I think it was kind of Kevin's way of testing me to see if I was good enough for his daughter, and also to gauge my acting abilities. But every week, I made sure to bring my A-game so we'd have to keep making more episodes, and eventually, he'd think I was worthy of his daughter. After about 10 weeks of acting together as the leads in his homemade sitcom, he realized I could actually act. Honestly, it felt like some kind of two-month-long audition process. But I think that during what felt like a crazy two-month audition, he actually saw what I was capable of as an actor.
STANDISH: How does it feel to be in such a cult classic like "Clerks" & would you say that it opened doors for your future?
AUSTIN: I was so humbled and honored. Yes, I believe on that film, Kevin low-key gave me his blessing to one day marry his daughter. Also, I think playing a character who's silent in like an entire movie made the director want to give me a speaking role in his next flick, 'The 4:30 Movie'.
STANDISH: What was the atmosphere like being on set at "Clerks 3"?
AUSTIN: It was so much fun and super freeing. I literally just tried to figure out how I could annoy Trevor Fehrman more and more each day on set.
STANDISH: Curious, how did you first meet Kevin Smith?
AUSTIN: The first time I'd say I properly met Kevin was at a restaurant in NYC. It was just Kevin, Harley, and me eating dinner. I had met Harley's grandparents and mother multiple times before, but never her dad. Instead of Kevin grilling me throughout our meal, he pretty much didn't even make eye contact with me and just talked to Harley the whole time, which somehow was worse. I felt like I was third-wheeling on some father-daughter bonding moment. But after dessert was ordered, I said I was going to go to the bathroom real quick, but secretly went to pay for the expensive meal instead. (A trick I actually learned from Charlie Day, who took the entire cast out to dinner in Atlanta when we filmed Fist Fight.) So, then I went back to the table, and Harley went to the bathroom and took forever while I was stuck in awkward silence with Kevin. Finally, Kevin broke the silence by asking me where the waitress was so he could get the check. After a very long, nervous pause, I told him that I had paid for the meal. He then looked up from his iPhone at me in shock for what felt like an eternity and said, "I'm not gonna flip the table. Thank you." I said, "You're welcome," and then he left to go smoke outside while I just sat there alone, waiting for Harley to come back from the restroom. All in all, I wish I had never paid for that meal.
STANDISH: You play "Neil" in "Fist Fight", can you tell us more?
AUSTIN: Yes, 'Fist Fight' was actually my first big studio movie. So, Neil was like a more modern-day take on the high school class clown that loves getting attention and laughs through pranking his teachers. I had so much fun doing that one! It was like every day I would get to go to this awesome version of high school that I loved, where all the teachers were comedic geniuses like Richie Keen, Charlie Day, and Jillian Bell. I'm forever grateful to the director Richie Keen and all the amazing producers on that film like John Rickard, Dan Cohen, Shawn Levy, and Max Greenfield. It's a very rare and beautiful thing when incredible filmmakers take a chance on someone who doesn't really have the resume to back up their talents and abilities yet.
STANDISH: Out of all of your credits, which has been your favorite?
AUSTIN: I’d have to say “Student Body” because that movie is the reason Harley Quinn Smith and I fell in love.
Second, I’d say Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. But I mean, I am definitely the most proud of my performance in my newest project ‘The 4:30 Movie’!
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
AUSTIN: Well, hopefully I get the opportunity to work some more as an actor. It’s like one of the craziest most unpredictable jobs in the world. I’d like to dabble in the filmmaking side of projects down the line.
STANDISH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
AUSTIN: On the couch, using the Olympic Bronze medal that I won in 2028 as a cat toy for my four cats. OR... I see myself acting in projects of all genres some of which I wrote, directed, or produced. I’d love to entertain people through stories that inspire and get to create opportunities for the many talented individuals that often don’t get a chance to showcase their abilities in this business. I really hope AI hasn’t replaced too many jobs or industries 5 years from now...
In this busy industry, what's a relaxing day to Austin look like?
Eating some good food, then hanging out by a pool or beach. Or maybe playing the drums or djing.
STANDISH: If you could play one role, any role today, what would it be?
AUSTIN: I would love to play Sam Bankman-Fried in a movie or bio-pic. The whole story of Sam's rise and fall is so, so, so insanely insane, and I think it would be fascinating to dive deep into that multi-faceted, devious brain and come to some conclusions as to maybe why he made the choices that he did.
STANDISH: Who are some of your mentors?
AUSTIN: My father Michel Zajur, Kevin Smith, and Charlie Day.
STANDISH: During COVID, we all faced struggles, what was one of your main struggles?
AUSTIN: It turned me into more of an introvert and a ton of social anxiety that I still sometimes struggle with at times. Also... having to live with my girlfriend’s parents and grandparents for six months.
STANDISH: What advice would you give to another upcoming creative like yourself?
AUSTIN: 1. If you fall in love with the small opportunities you get, then the bigger ones are gonna be attracted to
you.
2. Try to write down ten things that you’re grateful for everyday.
3. Intend to EXPECT the best in every thing and then learn to ACCEPT whatever outcomes you’re currently facing.
4. Just keep going, keep doing you and try not to care what other people think when it comes to your dreams and goals.
STANDISH: Where can fans find your work?
STANDISH: Anything you'd like to include?
AUSTIN: It’s wild to me that anyone besides like my mom would care enough to even be reading this right now. So, if you are... seriously thank you so much for taking the time to do so and I hope you have the best most amazing day or night depending on when you read this.
STANDISH: What are your social links?
https://www.youtube.com/@AustinZajurLife
https://www.instagram.com/austinzajur
https://www.tiktok.com/@austinzajurlife
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Thanks so much for your time!
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