Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher Hancock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christopher, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
This question is interesting because I am both an artist and a full time employee. In my opinion, today’s economy forces a lot of actors to have a full time job while making time for their creative work. After graduating college, I started working full time and later decided to pursue a career in acting, which has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Having financial security allows me to focus on my craft without worrying about expenses/surviving. You need money to be an actor because it is not a lucrative career until you’ve made a name for yourself.
Since I’ve taken a hybrid approach with working full time and pursuing acting full time, I cannot imagine my life without acting. I’m not sure I would be fulfilled with just earning money to pay for expenses. Art gives me freedom to express myself and create work that inspires and provides entertainment for others.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an award-winning actor and director from Greenbelt, Maryland. In 2016, I moved to New York City for work on Wall Street due to industry being lucrative. After 2 years of working and climbing the corporate ladder, I decided to pursue acting. I immediately began training at The New York Film Academy and Actors Studio. After years of working on my craft and auditioning, I was fortunate enough to star in various Commercials, short films, comedy sketches, and television shows. I have collaborated with Kodak Cameras, Google, Michelob Ultra, and several other top companies. I am most proud and best known for my lead role on the Television show, “Shattered,” my lead role in the award-winning short film, “Last Call,” and my co-star appearance on, “The Equalizer” starring Queen Latifah.
There is currently an ongoing writers/actors strike between the WGA/SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP so most productions are shut down. During this time I am staying positive and auditioning for the projects that are Non-Union and or SAG approved.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the collaboration process on set. I love working with other cast members, the directors, cinematographer, production assistants and other vital members of a production to create movie magic. As an actor, the acting is only a portion of the entire film process and its incredible to see the final product after sound mixing and editing.
Also, as a creative you get to meet like minded people in the industry. I have met some amazing people while pursuing acting whether it’s been on set, in class, through social media, on the picket lines during strike, or through word of mouth. There is just something special about meeting like-minded people who share the same passion as you.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
This is a very important question. Right now creatives are fighting for fair wages from production studios included in the AMPTP. This includes Disney, Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros-Discovery, Apple, Universal, Sony, Paramount, ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS, & others. Creatives want to be compensated for their work that generates billions of dollars of revenue for various production companies and right now many actors cannot afford to live.
Society can support artists by supporting the strike and sending a clear message to the AMPTP that they care about the artists who make the entertainment they love to watch.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: christopherjhancock
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9898163/