EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Bryan Dechart

You may know him from his many roles in indie films or his most recent stint on ABC Family's Jane By Design as Eli, one of the love interests and co-workers to Jane Quimby. We sat down with Bryan Dechart to talk about his career, what he's doing after the cancellation of Jane By Design, and even what flavor jelly belly he would be (Yes you heard me...).

Can you tell us briefly how you got into acting? Was it something you were always interested in?

I was in my first play when I was in middle school.  I remember putting on shows with my little brother and sister, but I don’t think acting was something I was really aware of until I started doing shows at my hometown’s community theater.

You played Eli Chandler on Jane By Design on ABC Family. What drew you to this role?

Eli was a lot of fun to play because he was so passionate about what he does.  He and I are similar in that regard.  If work is play you spend a lot of time smiling.

Your character had shown a little bit of love interest in the beautiful Jane Quimby. Would that have been something we might have seen grown a bit in the next season?

I think audiences would have definitely seen the Jane and Eli relationship develop.  I’m not certain that they were destined to be together though.  I would have loved to see them go on to become great design partners, maybe Eli would have helped Jane embrace her love for design to go on to bigger and better things than being Gray’s assistant.

You played a fashion role in Jane by Design. Was that a difficult role to get into or are you interested in fashion?

Fashion design is very similar to a lot of other visual arts that interest me.  I’m a photographer and shoot a lot of portraiture and fashion stuff.  I’ve also spent a lot of time in the world of graphic design and web design; it’s all part of the same family.  I definitely  learned a lot about fashion working on the show.

On your resume there are quite a few shorts. What do you like about doing short films and how do you select which ones you do?

I love working on indie films.  There’s something really unique about a group of people banding together with limited resources to pull off something they could never accomplish individually.  Shorts are a wonderful way to be involved in lots of projects and experience playing many different characters.  As an actor, I want to stretch, I always want to play something radically different than the last role I’ve played, so the character and his environment has a lot to do with which projects I choose to do.

You have worked on shorts, TV shows, and full length movies. Is there one you prefer to do or is there something about each that you like?

They’re all great.  Acting is acting.  Jane By Design was really excellent because it was the first time I’ve played a character for so long.  I shot for over two months as Eli, I’ve never worked as the same character for so long.

Your IMDB page shows you are currently filming The Awakened. Can you tell us anything about that project?

I just wrapped filming for “The Awakened” playing Liam, a recent law school graduate who finds out that his beloved uncle is the small town’s crime lord and he is after the girl Liam is falling for.  We filmed in Southampton, NY.

Are there any other projects you are currently working on that fans can hold their breath for?

I’ll begin filming for the raunchy comedy “Roomies” next week and “FISH: A Boy In A Man’s Prison” is currently in pre-production for the feature film based on the memoirs of the same title.  “Commencement” is a beautiful ensemble family drama, in which I play the over-privileged ex-boyfriend and “Dreams From A Petrified Head” is a Sci-Fi film about an android that is tasked with editing the memory and history of the last humanist leader.   

When do all these projects come out and where can fans check them out?

I have some clips and trailers on my website and I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated via Twitter, Facebook and my website as these films go through the festival circuit, into theaters, and when they’re available on DVD.

If you were not acting, what do you think you would be doing?

I’d be traveling, probably backpacking with a camera.  I want to see the world.  Maybe acting will help achieve that?  I need to start looking for scripts that film in Europe or Africa or something.

We like to throw a fun question in the mix at the end of each interview. So, if you could go on a road trip with any person, dead or alive, who would you choose and where would you go?

I love road trips.  I’d go with my little brother, Andrew.  And we’d go everywhere.

And… if you could be any flavor jelly belly (jelly bean), what flavor would you be and why? Feel free to make up a new flavor.

I’d be the anti-bean, the neutralizing jelly bean that you eat after you mistakenly choose vomit or popcorn or whatever the other terrible flavors are. 

Thank you so much for taking time out of your very busy schedule to chat with us! We will be following your career closely and wish you all the best.

Thanks for taking the time to interview me.  All the best to you as well.

Visit Bryan Dechart online at www.bryandechart.com and make sure to stay tuned on twitter @bryandechart for updates on where to find him next!