Mandate: Jason Olive

-Holly Clay

     If you are a soap opera buff, actor Jason Olive may look familiar to you from his reoccurring roles on All My Children and Passions. Today, he plays Joseph on Tyler Perry's highly anticipated new show For Better or Worse. Taking a break from shooting, Olive spoke with us about being on the show and his non-profit.

Sheen: What would you say is the difference between doing soap operas and sitcoms/movies?
Jason Olive: Well soap operas are something of a middle-ground. There is no real comedy and no moments that 'white knuckle' the audience. Film demands these things. Soaps are about keeping the plots moving. Films are a bit more about uncovering human nature. Comedy is so diverse now it is really about what-ever makes an audience laugh and there are very different audiences out there. Every genre has its own rules. As actors we try to master them.

Sheen: How were you approached about being on the new Tyler Perry sitcom?
Jason Olive: I was a guest star for Tyler on House of Payne, so he was familiar with my work. The casting process for For Better or Worse (FBOW) was a long one. I feel like it was about a 5 month process. There were a couple auditions and then I flew out to Atlanta for a producer's session. There were a couple other actors up for my role. It was the role of Richard at the time. A few days before shooting Tyler decided he wanted me to play Joseph. While we are shooting Ozzie Areu, the CEO of Tyler Perry Studios, tells me, 'It was [my] job all along. We just had to figure out how to use you.' I was thinking, 'How about next time let's start there and work our way backwards?'

Sheen: What are some of your hobbies?
Jason Olive: I tend to get a bit fanatical with hobbies. I never see them as hobbies as I should. In my mind I can be professional at everything. That is why they call it crazy. But the top ones at the moment are: Golf, landscaping, cooking, and basketball.

Sheen: Are there any other shows/ movies we can look forward to seeing you in?
JO: Yes. Go and rent (or watch on IFC) Greg Araki's film Kaboom. It went to The Cannes Festival and won an award and casting directors Johanna Ray and Jenny Jue were nominated for an Artios Award. The Artios is akin to the Oscar for casting.

Sheen: Are you involved with any charities?
JO: About 10 years ago I started a charity foundation called The Jayo Foundation. I was an All-American volleyball player at the University of Hawaii and played professionally a bit. We use the sport of volleyball to help kids in need. Each year we host the biggest Celebrity-pro-Am event in the country. We definitely put the 'fun' in 'fundraiser'. People can see what we do and register to come and play or support in 2012 at www.hopeisaverb.org. I am also working with USA Volleyball to create kids programming.