We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlos J Castillo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carlos, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I began to learn the craft of acting in an acting class I joined and participated in for ten years. As I was young and excited I devoured everything. Whether it was craft, technique, or business. Just couldn’t get enough. There were movie list, book lists, and plays galore to enjoy. Truthfully, I don’t think there is a way to speed up learning a craft. I certainly gave all my waking time that was available but it still took the time it took. There’s a saying that “if you have to ask how long it takes to become a master, you’ll likely not become one.” As a human, obstacles will be there. They will come in every form; family emergencies, friendly scuffles, love affairs. The important matter is to navigate them without losing site of your goals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As I mentioned, my journey began with some missteps in life and then a desire to understand and share them. As a storyteller it is my mission to impart that wisdom, advice, and observations of the society we inhabit. As a middle class kid growing up in middle America I benefited from my freedoms. However, I did succumb to the ills that plague my country as well., and it is this experience that I hope to impart. The ills that brought challenges to life and the freedom that gave me confidence and pride of being an artist with a voice. A voice I share with great pride on stage, film, and television.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The practical answer would be money. Offering assistance to artists in form a free classes, grants, tax exemptions. I’ve heard (not researched,) that some countries give struggling artist stipends to continue the dedication to their craft. So one is not confined to merely surviving. Which is especially tricky in big cities where artist usually end up looking for the highest paid work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Even with all the struggle, denial, and rejection. To speak the human experience, to feel human emotions in the process of telling stories. There is no greater feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cjcastillo.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialcjcastillo/
• Twitter: https://x.com/cjaviercastillo