CDI's 'MBF' (Man's Best Friend) Ensemble On Point with Casting of Curran Jacobs, Greg Mason

LANSING, Mich. - Jan. 4, 2018 - PRLog -- Owosso (Michigan's) Curran Jacobs and Fairmont (West Virginia's) Greg Mason share little in common. But the tie that binds the men is strong. They're both gentlemen and solid actors. And professionally, they're both coming off supporting roles in 'Wild Faith,' Collective Development Incorporated's completed 1870s-era drama (due out soon) and have earned challenging roles in 'MBF' (formerly 'Man's Best Friend'), to be filmed in Michigan in the spring under the CDI banner.

Mr. Mason ('Dead Eye,' 'The Pennsylvania Miner's Story'), who was in CDI's first feature film, 'Knightchills' (2001), will appear in his sixth film with the award-winning, Lansing (Mich.)-based production company.

After a first taste of acting as an extra in George Romero's 1990 remake of 'Night of the Living Dead,' Greg stayed the course in following his dream. He studied acting in Pittsburgh, Detroit and Raleigh, NC. More extra roles led to small speaking roles and ultimately solid supporting actor opportunities.

With a solid knack and range for character development, with a flare specializing in both drama and comedy, Mr. Mason has now appeared in nearly 50 films, TV shows and web series. The laid back, soft-spoken West Virginian, who has appeared in CDI's 'An Ordinary Killer' as a murder suspect; the campy 'From Venus' as a quirky convenience store worker; 'Dean Teaster's Ghost Town' as a cowardly outlaw; and, 'Wild Faith' as the family patriarch, 'Uncle McKinney,' Greg will play 'Jim' in 'MBF.'

"I'm so privileged to be cast in another CDI film," enthused Mr. Mason. "This company and so many artists they've worked with over the years, are like family. DJ (Perry), Tony (Hornus), Dean (Teaster), Shane (Hagedorn), Melissa (Anschutz), just so many great friends and artists. They've stayed relevant in filmmaking over the years because they care about the story. They're passionate about not only the characters, but about every element and person in the process, whether in front of or behind the camera. And it shows on screen."

As 'Jim,' Mr. Mason plays the landlord of 'Paul Landings' (DJ Perry), an Afghanistan war veteran with PTSD and TBI. "It's a solid role," he explains. "A tough real-life situation that causes 'Jim' his own emotional stress and conflict. I love it," Greg smiled.

And enter another of the 'young guns,' one of several now on board in the 'MBF' ensemble.

Mr. Jacobs, an outstanding high school (Owosso, Mich) and collegiate wrestler at Michigan State University, is a 2017 Catch Wrestling World Champion and the #1 ranked (3-0) Mixed Martial Arts middleweight in Michigan.

"If I were a recruiter for the CIA or FBI, I'd want to hire guys with Master's or PhDs who could also win a bar fight," says 'MBF' Director Anthony Hornus smiling. "And that'd be Curran. But I'm just a film director trying to hire the best actor to play a former Marine and JAG officer with the unenviable task of defending 'Paul Landings' at trial. That'd still be Curran."

And therein lies the juxtaposition of Curran's wide-ranging talents. From the football field, to the wrestling mats, to the MMA cage, to the stage at the Wharton Center (on campus at MSU) and other professional theaters, to major TV network shows and film locations, he's earning his stripes.

"I met Curran several years ago and we talked about his participation in another film we're developing," explained Mr. Hornus, who hails from the same hometown area as Curran (Owosso-Corunna, Mich.), where 'MBF' will be shot. "Curran carries himself with confidence (not arrogance) and he's respectful. That impressed me. I brought him to DJ and Melissa and we cast him in 'Wild Faith.' And we all knew (from the auditions and his work on 'Wild Faith') he has the chops, the presence to be in that courtroom as attorney Quincy Rowan."

The member of 'Spartan Nation,' who indeed holds a BFA and MFA in acting/theatre from MSU, has performed on the Wharton stage as Stanley Kowalski in 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' as Rocky in 'The Rocky Horror Show,' and in such performances as Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice' and Maurice Duclose in 'Fallen Angels' at MSU's Fairfield and Summer Circle theatres.

A stint in LA earned him roles on ABC's 'Modern Family' and Fox's 'Glee,' as well as roles in several short films. It also afforded him experience and networking opportunities with actors, producers and directors.

"I have incredible respect for the men and women who serve our country," said Curran. "And I have a special love for the Marine Corps and dogs, so you can imagine how honored and pleased I am for this opportunity. It's a story about truth, justice and the American way."

'MBF' is slated to be distributed by Bridgestone Multimedia Group (BMG).

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