We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Burkhamer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I never imagined I’d pursue a creative path professionally. But I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, especially after watching a good action flick. I remember getting so hyped up as a kid, wondering, “How did they do that?”
That spark stuck with me. One day after watching another movie, I found myself asking, “How can I get on set?” My research led me to discover that New Orleans was becoming a major hub for film and television. I knew I wanted in, but first, I needed to understand what I was getting myself into.
That’s when I enrolled in acting classes at Creative Actors Studio (CAS). After some time, I made the move to New Orleans and dove headfirst into the film scene. It was intimidating at first, but the moment I stepped onto set and saw all the moving parts come together, it felt like magic. From that day forward, I knew I wanted to learn everything I could about the craft and the industry.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello everyone! Talking about myself has never been easy, I’m usually the one learning about other people. I’ve always had a natural curiosity that pulls me into anything that sparks my interest. Creativity has been my constant, whether it’s recording music, painting, or acting. I’m also drawn to learning new skills like surfing, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu. As long as I’m learning and growing, I’m all in, especially if it challenges me.
When I’m not acting, you’ll probably find me producing short films, taking another acting class, or stepping into something new, like directing a 10-minute play for a local festival. Every new experience adds to my understanding of storytelling and the people behind it.
Off-camera, I channel that same creative energy into two ventures: Just10 Studios, a Chicago-based media and branding firm helping businesses tell their stories through film, photography, and design; and MUVE Coffee, my retro-inspired coffee brand built around fueling creativity and motion, “for every move of the day.”
Whether I’m in a fight sequence, behind the camera, or building a brand, one thing stays constant: movement. Everything I do comes back to story and energy. That’s what keeps me moving, in acting, business, and life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is knowing you can bring joy into someone’s life. Art lets you express the parts of yourself that usually stay hidden. The same parts most people keep inside. As artists, we get to bring those moments into the open and make them feel normal, human, and real.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal has always been, and always will be, to inspire others to chase their passion, whatever it may be. You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment. You can start from exactly where you are.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrburkhamer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinBurkhamer.official
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj16e_SXbFwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj16e_SXbFw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/justin-burkhamer/qwilika
Image Credits
Tyler Core