Jake Guy (BA Psych ’21) is an actor blending science and storytelling.
Before landing roles in productions like Supernatural and Hallmark Channel’s Falling Together, Jake Guy was studying the science of human behaviour at UBC. A self-described storyteller with a love for both acting and inquiry, Jake chose psychology as a way to better understand the people he brings to life on screen. With a thoughtful approach to acting, curiosity about human behaviour, and a refreshingly self-deprecating sense of humour, Jake brings together the worlds of science and storytelling.
We caught up with him to learn more about his time at UBC, how psychology informs his craft, and what advice he has for students thinking outside the traditional career box.
What led you to study psychology at UBC?
I took some time after high school to kick-start my acting career, but knew I’d find my way back to post-secondary education. I’ve always thought of psychology as being a means of improving my understanding of the world around me and although an Acting BFA may have been more obvious a choice given my interest in storytelling, psychology seemed a more appropriate starting place knowing that most of the stories I’d be telling would, in some way, speak to human experience. I also knew that psychology would offer a broad foundation from which to pursue my interests beyond the world of film, TV, and theatre.
“An Acting BFA may have been more obvious a choice given my interest in storytelling, psychology seemed a more appropriate starting place knowing that most of the stories I'd be telling would, in some way, speak to human experience.”
How do you think studying psychology has shaped your ability to connect with an audience or convey complex emotions in your performances?
I think my job as an actor is to serve the story being told by bringing a character to the stage or screen in a way that the audience can connect with. In order to do this, I think it requires that I develop as complete an understanding as possible of the character I’m portraying, and I’d like to think that my familiarity with psychology has made me better at this. Having a bigger collection of possible “why’s” to draw from when explaining a character I’m working on allows for a more diverse range of alternatives for who a character can become. When working with material for the first time, I often find myself referring to principles of psychology for teasing out character motivation or behaviour. In addition to that, with the vast amount of research I had read about mice and rats throughout the course of my degree I feel I could really crush it if given a chance to read for the Ratatouille sequel I’ve heard they’re developing.
From your experience, what has been the value of having a psychology degree?
The extent to which we might consider ourselves to be living in a “Great” society is reflected in our capacity to care for those most vulnerable among us. I think the best care comes from empathy and empathy from understanding; psychology is a useful tool for building that understanding. I suppose that’s to say that a psychology degree can position you as an agent of understanding in the world and that there’s value to be had there. On a personal note, I save so much money on therapy being able to explain to myself that the reason I run long distances comes from a deep-seated fear that I’ll never go far enough in life.
What advice would you give to psychology students who want to pursue unconventional career paths, like acting?
Well, I certainly couldn’t recommend pursuing acting. I routinely wish I’d developed an affinity for adding supply to the housing market instead of my affinity for storytelling. But here we are. Don’t tell my agent, but I have a 40-hour per week side hustle in software (which subsidizes my acting career). Maybe that’s the advice: if your unconventional career paths land you in the position of being a full-time unemployed actor, then find a side hustle (and if that side hustle is in Neuroscience, Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence, or Quantum Computing, then you’re laughing).
“Maybe that’s the advice: if your unconventional career paths land you in the position of being a full-time unemployed actor, then find a side hustle (and if that side hustle is in Neuroscience, Astrophysics, Artificial Intelligence, or Quantum Computing, then you're laughing).”
In your own words, how has UBC shaped your career?
UBC was a wonderful experience, and I think fondly of my time spent in the psychology department lecture spaces. More than any other time in my life, it was a period of self-discovery for me, which offered some direction for where I wanted to spend my waking hours. I think of my time within UBC’s Psychology program as being important for my allegiance to science and for building an ethic of deference to expertise, but also exercising independent thinking (all of which I use in my day job and in my work as an actor). I’m hoping my alumni status grants me visitation rights when we open a satellite campus on Mars!
Whether Jake is on screen, behind a startup (Arrow Supplements), or reflecting on the human mind, he is reminding us that no path is too unconventional when it is guided by purpose and a good dose of self-awareness.
