Even with no formal training in front of the camera, San Antonio actress Jamye Cox captured the “Best Actress” honor at the 2011 48 Hour Film Experience, and with it, the attention of many fans and friends in the San Antonio filmmaking community.
In Mark Cantu’s short film, “Love After,” Cox plays a young woman, unlucky in love until a handsome policeman intervenes. It’s a simple story, full of gentle comedy. Cox has to play the straight (wo)man in several scenes, and she shows a gift for the art of the reaction shot. “I’ve always studied people,” she says, “watching their mannerisms and accents, and the way they carry themselves…now, I channel that when I’m acting.”
Growing up in Refugio, Texas, Cox was interested in theater arts, but her plans to major in the subject in college were scuttled by her father, who was in favor of a more “practical” degree. She graduated in 2007 with an MBA from Texas State University-San Marcos, and says her business degree has helped her navigate the world of independent filmmaking and acting.
“One of the things there I learned [in school] was the entrepreneurial spirit,” she explains. “As an actor and filmmaker you have to be a dreamer, and you have to be willing to see things that other people don’t.” Cox says “you have to be willing to accept failure… to be persistent, and persevere, and be willing to go out there and meet people.”
Like many in the arts, Cox has found herself with a day job, but it’s a very important one. She teaches English at Garner Middle School. She says so far, her acting hasn’t interfered with her position at Garner. And though she wants to continue pursuing both of her passions, she says she won’t take an acting job if she thinks it will interfere with class work.
“As a teacher, I want to give 100 percent to my kiddos,” she says emphatically.
