We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bennie Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bennie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Well this career path was never on my list of life choices. I actually enjoyed watching others follow their dreams on tv and film, because I never thought I had that particular skill set. I own a self-tape service, which provides actors with professional video audition services. So my job was pretty much taping actors auditions and directing them. But something strange happened…All of my clients realized that I was actually good at directing, that I had so many great ideas and choices. A lot of actors were booking because of my services, which lead to some success with my business. But in 2019 it happened. The pandemic which put the world on lockdown. It was a devastating time for all of us on so many levels, in my case it was my family and business. Being that my business was a in person service, there wasn’t anymore customers or income, so I fell on hard times. Until one day a close friend and business professional, talent agent Sharon Morris of Actors LA Agency asked me to join her roster because of something that she had seen in me. I thought to myself “me an actor no way” but I signed anyway. Everything came to light when I had my first SAG audition for a commercial in NC, When I turned in my audition Sharon said “Oh my God you’re gonna book this one” and guess what I DID! Later she showed me what the casting director said about my audition, which is something I’ll never forget to this day.. They said “Where did you find Bennie he is a natural, don’t let him go, he’s gonna be a star” I knew then that this was my calling. I believe over time taping so many auditions, I unintentionally taught myself how to act. Slowly absorbing techniques of other actors, creating my own unique style. Wow you talk about a crazy turn of events huh.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a professional on screen and voice actor. I was just a quiet boy who grew up on the east-side of Detroit Michigan. All I ever wanted to do was to be left alone to catch bugs and play video games, nothing fancy. If someone was to tell me that I would become one of those people that you watch on television and movies, I would have called them crazy. One of the memorable and proud moments of my career, was me booking a role in the now cancelled Warner Brothers movie “Coyote vs Acme”. The reason that role meant so much to me, was because growing up being a big cartoon fan, I got a chance to do my scenes with one of my favorite characters, Porky Pig. Even though the movie was canceled, it is something that will live with me for the rest of my life. I want to help inspire others, and to show them that dreams can come true with hard work, and never doubt yourself. One of the things that I pride, myself on is just being myself, you won’t see me out with the most expensive cars, fanciest clothes or biggest house. Most of the time you’ll catch me with a superhero T-shirt, jogging pants, and a old baseball hat. And when I’m on set, I’m probably one of the happiest people you can be around. I love to make friends while working, I even like to hang out with the extras and cut a few laughs after a take. Let’s be honest, I’m not a big time movie star, but if that day ever was to come, I’ll just be the same old guy, that I have always been, Humble and grateful. Speaking of grateful, If it weren’t for amazing reps like Sharon Morris (Actors LA Agency), Katrina Fristoe (SwagTalent Group), Jessica Lawson (The Truth Lifestyle Management Group), The Helen Wells Agency and Peter at (Phirgun Mair Worldwide) I wouldn’t be here today!
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the most rewarding things about this job is to sit back and turn on the television with your family and friends, and boom there you are! To know that sometimes the 12 hours on set or months at a time filming, sometimes travel, sometimes not getting any sleep, auditioning for hours to beat out thousands for that role, all lead to that 1 minute costar on a tv series or to get killed in first few seconds in a movie makes it all worth it. To see the smile and pride on your families faces, knowing that they see you on television, makes me realize that nothing else matters but that moment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Bennie_t_7
Image Credits
Mayor Of Kingstown (Paramount) California Dreaming (Nickelodeon) Perimeter (BET) Pokerface (NBC Peacock) The Curse (Showtime) Beneath us All (Amazon) Pretty Stoned (MTV) Primo ( NBC FreeVee) Roswell New Mexico (The CW)