Q:
Hello Jason, firstly thank you for taking
the time out to answer our questions today,
and congratulations on the success of the
BBC Radio Lancashire show The Ghost Zone.
Can you tell us a little about the show
and how it came about.
A: The show is part
of a BBC Radio Lancashire programme which
we have been recording at various locations
over the last year, it’s a kind of
documentary/investigation strand where I
take a Medium or Sensitive to a haunted
site to see what they can uncover.
Q: Your latest book Haunted Places In Lancashire,
which ties in with the radio show, is all
about places you have investigated in Lancashire
with medium Veronica Charles. Would you
like to tell us some of the highlights of
the book and what was your favourite location
and why?
A: The book has been incredibly well received
locally and became a best seller very quickly.
It was a great project to work on and we
had lots of unusual encounters while undertaking
the research. I particularly remember Hall
I th Wood and Mains Hall as we experienced
some very strange goings on!
Q: You have worked with a number of mediums/psychics
during your years investigating the paranormal,
including Derek Acorah. What is your view
on the benefits of having a medium on a
paranormal investigation, and who of all
of them who would you say was the most impressive
and why?
A: I don’t ‘rate’ mediums
in line and therefore couldn’t answer
this questionfully. I do think that any
line of research should be taken, and mediumship
is one of those, but as for saying who the
‘best’ mediums are, they are
all different and have good and bad days
like anyone else!
Q: In your book Jason Karl’s Great
Ghost Hunt you cover in-depth your recommended
method of investigation. Briefly for readers
who are interested in taking the first steps
into paranormal investigation what advice
would you give them?
A: Join a reputable
group! Don’t go it alone, and ensure
you are fully equipped to undertake a serious
study of the paranormal.
Q: As well as a paranormal investigator
you are also well recognised as an accomplished
actor. Do you feel this sometimes leads
to speculation by the public you are acting
as opposed to honestly reacting to something
paranormal, and how do you handle that?
After all the well publicised events that
occurred with Most Haunted did spread some
doubt on the integrity of paranormal investigation
A: I haven’t
watched Most Haunted since I left, and although
I have been informed about various bad press
it has received, and approached by journalists
for my own version and stories, I have decided
not to comment at this stage. With regards
to my career as an actor, the production
team behind Most Haunted were well aware
of my previous experience on TV, theatre
and film before I signed up to the show.
Q: Of all the sites you have investigated
over your career we must ask what’s
the most memorable experience and why?
A: Wow, what a question!
Having been to over 1000 haunted locations
around the world I would hardly know where
to start! I have fond memories of many places,
each for a different reason, take a look
at the chapter ‘Favourite Old Haunts’
in my third book – Jason Karl’s
Great Ghost Hunt, to see my favourites!
Q: Reading many investigation reports there
are always references to orbs and light
anomalies, what’s your professional
view towards them? Are they all purely reflections
of light on dust? If not how do you distinguish
between the two?
A: I think in most
instances these are caused by the presence
of natural phenomena including dust and
airborne moisture particles, however there
have been a few instances where these explanations
do not seem to have been the case.
Q: What have you ever experienced or caught
on camera or film something that is beyond
rational and scientific explanation?
A: I have some incredible
things on film (forget orbs, strands of
cobweb and shadows) including a full figure
walking down a staircase.
Q: Is there anyone in the paranormal field
today that you would like to work with on
an investigation and why?
A: I occasionally
make appearances on public ghost events
and sometimes take part in groups investigations
around the country but my career and home
life (renovating a 18th century country
house!) take precedence. I have been fortunate
to meet and work with some passionate, creative
and objective people over the years, and
anyone who fits that description is welcome
to approach me!
Q: Do you feel that the highlighted interest
in the paranormal due to programmes such
as Most Haunted and Dead Famous has been
positive or detrimental to professional
paranormal investigation and why ?
A: I think it has
severely damaged the reputation of serious
researchers, but on the other hand, it has
highlighted the subject matter to a greater
audience. Either way it is a fad, and will
eventually die out, leaving the people that
have been doing this for the last 50 years
back in the driving seat again.
Q: Of the many paranormal programmes that
are now on television which ones do you
watch or rate ?
A: I very rarely watch
television! I watched ‘Shameless’
last week as my friend was in it! And I
do like Ugly Betty!
Q: We gather you have been commissioned
to write a number of books over the next
two years. Can you give us any inside information
on what’s ‘instore’ for
us?
A: Yes, I have a further
three titles coming out in 2007. 21st Century
Ghosts, a colour hardback. An Illustrated
History of the Haunted World, a colour coffee
table book, and Preston’s Haunted
Heritage, a local title. I also have a further
4 books commissioned (which I can’t
tell you about!) and a potential fifth which
I am in discussions about at the moment.
Q: What else do you have planned for 2007,
any plans for you to return to the TV screens
in the paranormal field?
A: I am always open
to offers of any kind, but primarily I am
happy to be away from the paranormal field,
I think its very easy to be stereotyped.
I have recently been presenting for BBC
Jam (Childrens) and QVC (the worlds largest
shopping TV network).
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