We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Owen Hisle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Owen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As a little boy since the 70’s, I always knew I wanted to be an actor some day (not knowing then that Directing & Voice-Overs would be my actual calling) but, I also knew I wanted to make the Army my first stop. In 1984 at 24 I joined the United States Army. Because it was known by many of my Military NCO’s & Officers that I wanted to pursue an acting career, I had the awesome opportunity to work OJT outside my regular assigned MOS-11Mike-(Infantry 3RD ID), as a movie photographer, film camera operator and movie director for various military missions and as an assistant director to the director for plays the military put on for soldiers (that was the best 6 months experience I had). My intentions were to serve 20 to 30 years in the military, retire and then allow my military retirement funds help me in pursuing an acting career
You know, I actually thought about becoming an Attorney or a Homicide Detective (get to know me and you’ll know why lol lol lol)
Owen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a little boy since the 70’s, I always knew I wanted to be an actor some day (not knowing then that Directing & Voice-Overs would be my actual calling) but, I also knew I wanted to make the Army my first stop. In 1984 at 24 I joined the United States Army. Because it was known by many of my Military NCO’s & Officers that I wanted to pursue an acting career, I had the awesome opportunity to work OJT outside my regular assigned MOS-11Mike-(Infantry 3RD ID), as a movie photographer, film camera operator and movie director for various military missions and as an assistant director to the director for plays the military put on for soldiers (that was the best 6 months experience I had). My intentions were to serve 20 to 30 years in the military, retire and then allow my military retirement funds help me in pursuing an acting career
You know, I actually thought about becoming an Attorney or a Homicide Detective (get to know me and you’ll know why lol lol lol)
That all changed in 1993 in a horrible way for me and 1993 changed my life in a whole different direction with the same goal but with a very much longer route. While serving a one year tour in Korea for the military, I sustained a severe life changing back injury when I was crushed by a Bradley-(Army Tank) which flipped over. I was placed in medical hold in 1994 for 1 year, had a major 10 hour spine surgery, cut bone away from 3 of my verts and meat away from 2 of my disks, spent almost 1 1/2 years post-surgery learning how to walk all over again. I was honorably medically discharged as “Disabled Service Connected” from the Army in July 1996. To look at me today from a physical aspect you’d never know I went through that (except for the 5″ scar on my lower spine). Of course emotionally I have developed Post-PTSD as a result of my horrifying experience. Being a Veteran myself going through PTSD (disturbing thoughts, feelings, dreams related to my accident, the mental and physical distress, difficulty sleeping, mood swings with changes in how I think and feel, failed relationships – I mean the list goes on). But I’m not letting PTSD stop me or slow me down just because of a slower longer route. However, the coolest phenomenon always takes place when I’m directing actors onset, providing voice-overs from a sound studio, or teaching an acting workshop – I’m always in a great place, I feel great, I’m at my best, I Am Home, I make actors (real or animated) look and sound 10′ feet tall on screen
In September 1996 just two months after being honorably medically discharged from the Army and only serving a total of 12 years which was thought to end up being a hopeful 20 to 30 years, the Veterans Association asked me if I’d like to earn a college degree of my choice and they would pick up the entire tab (any major, any college, any location, all tuition, all books, all supplies paid and even tax free money to live off of each month while in college). Although I had my heart set on becoming an actor and I was still determined to pursue that #1 passionate goal, I made a wise choice by taking the V.A. up on their generous offer and majored in Computer Information Systems, Computer Technician Specialist, and Website Developer due to the fact I started tinkering with computers two years prior to 1996 and computers would be a good thing to fall back on and use while pursuing an acting career
In 1999 just shortly after graduating from college, I moved back to Colorado. From 1999 to 2001 I worked in Colorado with-in the IT Industry as a Professional PC/Break Fix Hardware/Software/Website Developer Tech, was a Supervisor/Manager for various Computer Repair Chop Shops, and had my own part time Home Based Computer Repair Shop
In 2001 I took an assessment of my life and where I was at that time. With the military, my surgery, my long recovery, college behind me, and PTSD still tagging along with me, plus, since I was single and really had no ties or other obligations attached to my life, I felt it was as good a time as any to pick up where I left off and continue pursuing my acting career
In July 2001 I gave my current employer and landlord a 30 days notice, sold everything I owned, then in August 2001 I hopped on a Greyhound bus and headed for Oklahoma to start pursuing my acting career
From August 2001 to December 2006 I traveled to Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Austin Texas, San Antonio Texas, Portland Oregon, and Indianapolis Indiana working and training full time as a professional film actor. In that time I had the awesome opportunity to train with some of the best acting coaches the film industry offered-(Michelle DeLong, Pato Hoffmann, Donise Hardy, Van Brooks, Kristy Martin, Toni Cobb Brock, the late Jimmy Zerda, and Norm Silver). I attended hundreds and hundreds of auditions, was casted in many independent films, had numerous roles, worked with some of Hollywood’s famous named actors-(Luke Wilson, Terry Crews, Dax Shepard and, the late William Hurt) as well as directors and production companies-(Corpus LLC & Content Films-Director James Marsh, 20th Century Fox-Director Mike Judge, and Roach Productions-Director Jay Roach)
In January 2006 I needed to permanently move back to Colorado and get a real long term but temporary job because I was slowly going broke and I needed steady funds again to continue on with my filmmaking career
In 2013 I started Upon This Rock Films (UTR Films, UTRF) with Producing, Writing, Directing (UTRF is now HISLE FILMS as of 2022). I fell in love with Directing movies and providing Voice-Overs in movies plus, come to find out I was really good at both. After our first multi award winning short film FULFILLMENT in 2014 I was hooked – from that point on I was only going to produce, write, and direct but directing and voice-overs are my true love. Between 2014 to Present day I have gone on to direct a few other multi award winning films (Broken Clay and End Of Wyntor) as well as Animated series movie projects where I lent my voice as one of the characters. Hisle Films is currently in pre-production with a new movie
Today I live in beautiful colorful Colorado working and continuing to work as a professional filmmaker (directing and providing voice overs for movies)
Still working towards and waiting for that first big break – Never giving up. Besides I’m having so much fun pursuing a filmmaking career (as a Film Director / Voice-Over talent)
Here it is 2023. Just like in the Army and just like in 2001, I feel it is again as good a time as any to pick up where I left off and continue pursuing my filmmaking career as a film director / voice-over talent but this time at a higher echelon. I’ve taken another assessment of my life and where I am at this time. With EVERYTHING else finally behind me, I’m retired, I’m active and medically healthy as that of a person in their 40’s (great family bloodline), I’m debt free, I don’t owe anyone anything, I have no job tying me down, I have the flexibility to travel for film work as a Film Director / Voice-Over
Yes I have an Agent (if needed). Christine Grant – Eden Talent – Lakewood Colorado – [email protected]
I don’t know anyone from Hollywood – I’m not related to anyone important or famous – I just want a chance. Are you where you are today because you were in a situation where you too just needed a chance, just needed a break, and you got one??
When I’m not Writing, Producing, Directing movies, you can find me studying and training in Wing Chun Kung Fu under my Kung Fu Teacher, Master Marek Chromik at his studio Eclectic Ground in Englewood Colorado
(https://eclecticground.com)
I also paint beautiful landscapes using watercolors on canvas
(https://www.uponthisrockfilms.com/owen-s-paintings)
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes
I have some family members, I have some friends (whom I thought were my friends), I have had past co-workers, I have had many past girlfriends, x-wives and many many social media friends (whom I also thought were my friends) who tried to discourage me from pursuing a professional movie career and/or who walked out of my life because they wanted me to give up on my dreams, my goals, my passion for pursuing a professional movie career. My VA Mental Health Doctors have also diagnosed me with PTSD that developed due to a horrible accident when I served in the US Army
What I’m saying is, never ever give up on any dream, any goal, any passion you are pursuing no matter what steps into that path
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Yes. I have two true real life funny stories that actually happened to me during my early years pursuing the movie industry
(COPYRIGHT NOTE: I LEGALLY DO NOT GIVE ANYONE PERMISSION TO USE THESE STORIES FOR ANY MOVIE OR BOOK)
***I title this ‘Always read the fine print’
In 2002 I received a confirmation email that I got booked to be a lead extra in a movie that was being filmed in Lubbock Texas. I printed the email and headed to Lubbock the next morning. I arrived on location and on time. When I walked on set into the restaurant where this particular scene was being filmed I noticed it was wall to wall men. I didn’t notice one female. I took the email out, re-read it, but somehow I overlooked the finer print that showed the title of the movie plus it read “such and such the gay movie”. I was like “OMG!!!” lol lol lol. I found the Director and shared that it was my fault that I didn’t read the finer print and that I wasn’t gay – I was straight however, I was willing to still be part of the restaurant scene. The Director looked for his boyfriend who was the Producer and explained my situation. Both those guys were so cool and understanding that it just so happened that the other Producer just happened to be the only female on set. They had me do my scene with the female Producer. The lesson of this story is, no matter what, never ever bail on any movie once you are booked for it
***I title this ‘The Chihuahuas and 9.1.1 story’
In 2002 I was renting a room from my landlord in Bastrop Texas who owned 2 Chihuahuas (one male one female). My landlord went away for the weekend and she asked me to babysit her 2 Chihuahuas while she was gone. I was on the computer and out from nowhere I heard this horrible loud bone chilling screaming outside. I ran outside and the 2 Chihuahuas were like as if they were glued to each other butt to butt and straight as an arrow. They were trying to break loose from each other while they were both horribly screaming. I didn’t know what was going on because I never experienced anything like this. I reached down and grabbed both of them and I was trying to twist them apart but they screamed louder with such pain. I dropped them, yelled as loud as I could for the neighbors to come help but all the neighbors were too far away. I ran into the house and I phoned 9.1.1. I hysterically explained to the police officer on the phone everything I typed above. The officer was laughing too hard and had to pass me to another police officer. That officer was laughing too hard as well and passed me to one more police officer. The last police officer raised dogs and bread them and sold them so he knew what was going on. The 3rd officer told me the 2 Chihuahuas were having sex and the male Chihuahua was still swollen inside the female Chihuahua while he was trying to pull out of her. The officer told me to just leave them alone and they’ll figure it out and free themselves on their own. This is just the short version of this real life story what happened to me but, I’ll never forget it. When I tell this story to others in person, they laugh so hard. The lesson of this story is, no matter what, never pick up two Chihuahuas when their having sex lol lol lol
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.uponthisrockfilms.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hislefilms