<p style="text-align: justify;">Basketball had always been a driving force in Jean Kartal’s life which would later, set the stage for a career in acting for him. At the age of 9, Jean discovered his love for basketball and his excellence and dedication to the sport which led him to attend a high school for elite athletes in Stockholm, Sweden. Eventually, he earned a scholarship to play basketball at a university in Los Angeles.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, Jean’s destiny took a turn, when Injuries cut short his basketball career and forced him to stop playing. But, being in LA, offered him a different opportunity to study a new craft &#8211;acting. Jean had spent a couple of years dabbling in performing and acting so he therefore understood the art of working in front of a camera.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As Jean recalls: &#8220;I thought why not give this whole acting thing a shot”? And he did just that! After attending a party in Los Angeles a director happened to see something amazing in Jean and offered him the part of a boxer in a production he was working on. So for Jean, since he was going to portray an athlete, it wasn’t too far-fetched from his own life’s experience to draw upon for the role.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1904" src="https://incrediblemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NT10640.jpg" alt="Jean Kartal: From The Basketball Court, To The Silver Screen" width="500" height="750" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On the stage, Jean&#8217;s first experience in a play was being directed by the Oscar nominated director, Milton Justice. The production of &#8216;Destiny of Me&#8217;, premiered in Los Angeles to rave reviews, including Jean’s compelling performance as Ned Weeks. Playing this particular role has been one of Jean&#8217;s most memorable experiences to date because of the incredible time he had –as well as a ten week rehearsal process &#8211;breaking down the script and character analysis.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Jean&#8217;s work ethic in everything he does has developed from his approach to basketball. Practice, preparation, performing in public and perseverance &#8211;which he learned at the gym and on the hardwood floors of the basketball court.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the acting world, Jean&#8217;s mentor (academy award nominee), Milton Justice once told him, &#8220;If you want to be the best actor, you have to see it as an Olympic sport &#8211;and you have to behave like an athlete preparing for the Olympic Games.&#8221;</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This has stuck in Jean’s mind ever since and has helped him reach the level of success he has reached, to this day.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Next up, Jean will appear in the feature film, &#8216;Hollywood Rooftop&#8217;, directed by Brett Leonard which focuses on a group of European actors and what it takes to become successful, while still managing to sustain oneself in a place like LA. Jean is really excited about the project which holds a special place in his heart from his own experiences.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">His best piece of advice to aspiring artists? &#8220;Stay focused and work hard on your craft. Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.&#8221;</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We couldn’t agree more with Jean. Don’t forget to keep a look out for Jean Kartal, who is on the verge of superstardom.</p>