Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Austin Wolff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Austin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The year is 2016. I had been acting professionally for 7 years. And like 99% of actors in Los Angeles, I hadn’t booked a leading role in a movie yet. One day I decided I was going to take control of my career and start writing roles for myself. Cut to 6 years later: I had learned the craft of screenwriting, and had just completed the 17th draft of a neurodiverse coming-of-age movie about a young man who tries using math to find love.
The year is 2022. I had been saving every penny I could to eventually buy a house — a big, personal goal of mine. But an arguably bigger goal of mine was making the movie I wrote for myself, “Wally Jackson.” So I invested $5,000 of my “house money” into shooting a concept trailer, for the goal of raising money for the feature. I personally shopped it around town. No one would fund it without a named actor or director attached first. No named actor or director would attach themselves without the movie being funded first. A Catch-22. I temporarily gave up and focused on my day job. If I couldn’t fund my movie this year, the least I could do was continue building a down payment for my house.
And then, randomly on a drive in 2023, the crushing reality of the screenplay hit me: I wrote the character for me as a 20-year-old to play. I was 25. Pretty soon I would age out of the role I wrote for myself. The clock that had always been ticking in the back of my mind now ticked loud at the forefront. I started losing sleep. I had to start making the movie or else the years I spent writing it would be wasted.
Then I made the most important investment I’ve made in my life (so far) — I put all of my “house money” into this film. It was do or die. I was going to make this movie even if it broke me (and my bank account).
I wrote the 18th draft and invited my friend, Taylor Foster, to a table read. She immediately fell in love with the character and the script, and jumped at the opportunity to direct it. After seeing her previous work, I was happy to bring her on as my director.
We ended up using the concept trailer to crowdfund $10,000 more on IndieGoGo, and we were off to the races.
Funding, producing and shooting the movie was by far the most important investment I’ve ever made as an artist. I got to be part of the casting process and learn what separates a good audition from a great one. I got to see how much a script can change during production. And now in the editing room, I’m learning how a sequence of shots can make or break not only the scene, but the actor’s performance too.
I’m now a better actor, writer, and leader from this experience. And while it’s still too early to see if I’ll make any money back from the movie, the life experience and improvement-of-craft I’ve gained have been worth more than any school or class I’ve attended. And the house can always wait.
Austin, 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?
With over a decade of acting and screenwriting experience, I took a significant leap by writing, executive producing, and starring in “Wally Jackson.” This coming-of-age film introduces a nuanced neurodivergent protagonist, reflecting my own experiences and challenging the typical portrayals seen in media. My passion for storytelling has been recognized in the film circuit, notably winning Best Short at the Burbank International Film Festival for “A Timeless Captivation.”
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Everyone should read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. The lessons I learned from that book have helped me as a collaborator and as a leader more than anything. If you want to direct or lead a group of people, this is a must-read.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I don’t want to die without creating the art I feel I’m meant to make. That drives me artistically, pretty much above anything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WallyJackson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallyjacksonmovie/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WallyJacksonMovie
Image Credits
Alyssa Danae