New Haven Independent

Ultimately, State House Speaker Jim Amann would be happy with an equity card. He’ll need some lines for that.

Amann stopped by New Haven’s Shubert theater Wednesday for a musical preview of two jazz-related films planned to be shot in Connecticut. (Click here to read about that.) He was here because, as House speaker, Amann championed tax breaks for the film industry aimed at making Connecticut “Hollywood East.”

As the strains of Billie Holiday classics filled the Shubert lobby, Amann revealed that he has embarked on some modest thespian ventures of his own. His connections have landed him walk-on parts in, as of now, two movies being shot in the state thanks to his tax breaks.

Click on the play arrow above to watch him discuss his budding career.

His most recent gig was last week, he said. He went to Norwalk to film a scene from an upcoming PBS series on Frederick Douglass.

“I play a ship owner,” Amann said. “I think I’m an OK ship owner. I don’t think I’m one of those bad ship owners…

“Young Frederick Douglass is squirreled away on my boat. As I go out to view New York City … he escapes from my boat.”

Meanwhile, Amann plans to go see the new Indiana Jones movie this weekend. Scenes were shot in New Haven. He hopes to see a familiar face on screen.

“I have a shot of being there. There was some extras in the train station. Harrison Ford is jumping off the train right at the time I walk by. We’ll see what happens.”

How’s he adjusting to the Hollywood East life?

“I figure it this way,” he responded. “Clint Eastwood and Arnold Schwarzenegger, they went from actors to politics… I figured I’d take a shot, go from politics to acting. We’ll see what happens!”

Amann said he’s hoping a future part will include some lines. With two appearances under his belt, “I have to have one talking part. If I do, I get my union card.”

Just in case that doesn’t pan out — for the record: Amann made the above comments tongue in cheek — he has a back-up career plan. He recently announced his retirement from the State House of Representatives — in order to launch a campaign for governor.

Jodi Rell may be shaking in her slippers, but it appears Harrison Ford has nothing to worry about.

No word yet on whether filmed campaign speeches count as “talking parts.”