We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thomas Trinh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thomas below.
Thomas, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Thomas, 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?
I originally got into the entertainment industry as a spry 24 year old, with a sculpture degree and grit. I fell in with the right crowd a few months after moving to Atlanta, from Indiana. The people I met were a very eclectic bunch, in career, work mentality, and creative interests. The group was the perfect mix of people, if I wanted to try working in the film world–massive projects, 12+ hour days, 5+ days a week, 3-10 months, I could. . . or the commercial world, quick 2-5 day shoots, multiple hats, great flexibility, I could. But above all, I got to work with a bunch of goofy and fun people trying to make magic. These are the people that would set the last decade in motion. I learned to be open to learning new skills and to follow the fun, the weird, and the money sometimes.
I started working in the Art department as a prop maker and set dresser. Both came pretty naturally, because of my art background. This is still my bread and butter, so it is definitely ever present, but not the end game per say. My first big longer gig was a show called The Carbonaro Effect, where I was the head prop maker, making magic tricks and props to be used on the show. Being an artist by trade was beneficial for the industry and also the support of the industry allowed me to still pursue being a fine artist. Though never full time, I would take commissions, both for film/TV and fine art from clients. . . I even drew a tattoo for a friend! As I worked into the film industry there would be people and friends who would casually suggest I try different avenues. I really took this to heart, since I was new to the world of entertainment. Tenacity and naivety was, frankly, my greatest strength. First up, stunts. . . I trained to do stunts for a few years, not getting too deep, but I learned a lot about fighting and gun tactics for film/TV and eventually started to teach and choreograph for small projects and classes. Interestingly, one time I was teaching in a new and different studio, we hopped around a lot, and this one was a voice over studio. I met the owner and started taking classes immediately. Voice Acting is one of my current longer pursuits. I enjoy not having to memorize and the chance to play. Nowadays, I mostly focus on creature vocals-monsters, orcs, spiders and the like! But my “claim to fame” is being one of the lucky(and skilled!) ones to be cast in the audio adaptation of Elf Quest, as Scouter, alongside big names like Cree Summer, Will Friedle, and Nicole Maines. Despite the impostor syndrome, I was honored. While pursuing Art department, Stunts/tactic, and voice over, I always had fellow puppeteers by my side, just waiting to suck me into their world. Puppetry, honestly, surprised me as a creative outlet, but also a part of my career. It started out with some passion projects, then eventually I started getting calls to do TV, film, and commercials. The highlights for me have been playing the Grim Reaper in Marlon Wayans’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow and the Aflac duck! It would be remiss of me not to mention the glue that holds all of these pursuits together, though I do puppetry and voice acting, my favorite way to perform on stage and in life is improv. I have been an improviser for many years and it drives me to take risks, to be expressive, creative, and empathetic. Even if I never make a dime off of it, I wouldn’t be here without, and still pursue it to this day . . In my career, so far(I’m only 34 dang it!) I have done a lot of amazing things and been a part of crazy projects, but I am still on the path of forging a solid career out of my bag of tricks, though 24 year old me is still very proud of what I have accomplished.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
These two instances revealed that I don’t want to stick to one project for too long. So I diversified my skill set and streams of revenue, to not be too reliant on one thing. I make much less money than others who have honed their craft, but I have more time to say yes to the most fun things and I don’t get too beaten down by the industry. Health, all aspects of it–physical, mental, social, relational– reigns supreme on my priorities list. . . not that I couldn’t use the money. My advice for anyone going down the Jack Of All Trades route. . . Just get hirable(not necessarily the best), be the most available, be cautious with spending money. . .Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to be the funniest one on the crew!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.talkingthomastrinh.com
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