Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with My Suicide Story’s Joe Massa

Actor, entrepreneur, and filmmaker Joe Massa is creating a platform for survivors of attempted suicide to share their stories. Titled My Suicide Story, the docuseries follows five individuals as they open up about their struggles with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and everything in between, with the hope of reassuring others who may find themselves in a similar situation that they’re not alone. Pop Culturalist caught up with Joe to chat about My Suicide Story.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Joe: My passion for the arts started when I was a kid. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with movies and television. As I grew up, this passion only became greater, and I knew that there was nothing else that I wanted to do.

Eventually, I fell in love with acting. I was fascinated by the idea that I could escape reality and become someone different. By the time I was in high school, my love for acting expanded into writing as well. I had begun to study the way films were created on every level: acting, writing, cinematography, etc. I used to—and still do—print out movie/TV scripts and read along as I watch to learn the way successful screenwriters write. I think it’s safe to say that I’m in love with every individual aspect of film.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Joe: I would have to say legendary composer John Williams. Many people outside of the entertainment industry may not know who he is, but he has scored some of the most successful films ever to exist: Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Home Alone, E.T., to name a few. These were literally my favorite films growing up, and every time I watched one of them, I felt an indescribable connection to each of them, and I had no idea why. I knew these films were great, but it wasn’t until I discovered that they were all scored by John Williams that I realized why I loved them so much. There’s something about his music that hypnotized me from the first second I heard it, and I really feel that his work sparked my love for film.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a producer, director, and writer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Joe: I think that knowing both sides of the camera truly makes you a better actor. If you know how things work behind the camera, you’re more capable of knowing things like what looks best, what sounds best, what not to do, how to take direction, etc. I believe that having this knowledge really sets you apart from other actors and could get you more work. Obviously, your craft has to be great, but if you’re easy to work with, then you have a better chance of landing that role against an equally talented actor who might not take direction as well as you.

PC: Tell us about My Suicide Story and how it came to fruition.
Joe: This project came into existence after having an impromptu conversation with one of my closest friends, Kenny, who revealed that he attempted to take his life years earlier.

At the time, my brother Christian and I had just finished production on a short film that we cowrote and created that was also about suicide. After the film’s release, my friend Kenny watched it, and that was when he told me that he himself was a survivor of suicide. I was shocked when he told me, because I’d known him for a while and never knew this.

I felt that his story of triumph over his attempt might resonate with other people struggling with the same kinds of suicidal thoughts, so I suggested that we shoot his story and share it with the world. After uploading his story to YouTube, dozens of survivors began reaching out, thanking Kenny for his bravery and for how much his story helped them.

As the weeks went by, more survivors began to reach out and request to share their stories as well. I saw this as an opportunity to help other survivors free themselves of their pain by being the outlet that they’re able to share their stories through. In many cases, these survivors had kept their attempts a secret for so long, and to free themselves—while helping others in the process—was exactly what they needed.

It’s turned into a sort of chain reaction of positivity: one survivor shares their story, frees themselves of their pain; that story affects another survivor who then wants to share their story to help themselves and someone else and so on.

PC: When you’re tackling sensitive subject matter like suicide, anxiety, and depression, what is your role as a director/producer?
Joe: In this instance, I only have one role, and that’s to listen. Under normal circumstances as a director, your job is to direct, but on this project, my role is to listen and be the caretaker of these sensitive stories.

I do guide the subjects just to ensure that the stories are being told in somewhat of a linear timeline, but other than that, I try to stay invisible. These stories are extremely personal and intimate, and I want the person to be completely comfortable so the story is as natural and accurate as possible to maximize the efficacy of it.

PC: What has the feedback been like to the series? What is next for it?
Joe: The feedback has been incredible. I never would have thought that this project would have become what it has.

To date, I’ve had hundreds of people reach out explaining how these stories have helped them or helped a loved one or taught them something. It’s fascinating.

It’s also reached people across the world. Most recently a survivor from England reached out to Kenny, thanking him for sharing his story. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to create something that is putting positivity back into the world. In terms of what’s next for the series, I plan on continuing it at least until ten episodes, and then I plan on getting back in front of the camera and focusing on my acting career.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Joe: Breaking Bad. The writing and acting are just amazing.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Joe: Inglourious Basterds, or any film by Quentin Tarantino really.

PC: Favorite book?
Joe: Tough one. This changes a lot for me because I love to read, but currently, it would be All The Light We Cannot See.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Joe: I thought The Book of Mormon was great.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Joe: Frank Sinatra. He’s probably my favorite singer of all time.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Joe: If I could choose, Timothée Chalamet.

To keep up with Joe, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.