We were lucky to catch up with Costa Nicholas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Costa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up I wanted to be all sorts of different things; astronaut, formula 1 racer, F-18 fighter pilot, and so on, but the number one thing I always wanted to be was a hero of some kind. Whether it was a superhero like Batman, Superman, or Spider-man, or a fantasy hero like Link from Legend of Zelda, or a hero from the world of Lord of the Rings. I just wanted to be someone who had a purpose; who fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves, who could have an affect on peoples’ lives by encouraging, or inspiring, or helping them.

So come high-school, I had decided on going into carpentry, since I’m very hands on and creative, and liked building things and tinkering with things. And senior year, I also decided to join the drama club, because most of my friends were in it, and it just looked like a lot of fun. Well fun was an understatement! I absolutely loved it. I was no stranger to performing; I had a rock band and I would lead the traditional Greek dancing at our church’s annual summer festival, but this was on the next level. I was still planning to pursue carpentry, but I would absolutely continue acting as well.

Then one evening at some point in the early spring, I went to the movies with some friends. And I experienced this film unlike any other. The credits rolled and I couldn’t move from my seat. I was taken on such an emotional journey, and something inside me clicked! This was it! This was how I could “become the hero” and affect people’s lives! By becoming a character, and telling their story! And by doing this, I could make people happy, sad, laugh, cry, think, escape, feel, go home and hug their parents and say “I love you”, and so much more! And with any luck, I could also play a hero at some point too! This was my revelation! This was my calling. And to this day, I can not remember for the life of me what movie it was that I had gone to see…

Costa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well the big story was answered in the last question. But I can add on saying that I did get my start in theatre. High school musical theatre, as it is for most. But I also had the privilege of being introduced to, and performing in Shakespeare, at the same time! But I always had a love for film and television too. So even though my college training was in theatre performance, I actively sought film projects on the side outside of school, which definitely helped give me a boost in my training.

So when people as what do I do; film, tv, theatre, comedy, drama? I just look them in the eyes and say “All of it. Oh and don’t forget voice over, stunts and mo-cap, editing, directing…” Why in the world would any actor limit themselves?

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

This is a huge one! People who are not in the arts definitely have trouble grasping pursuing a career in the arts. It’s just a different world, a different drive. Someone who is in finance, or who is a small business owner is going about life, seeing the world and the day to day in such a different way than an artist. They see numbers, and business strategies, and overhead, and insert any other “business buzzword”, its very formulaic, and it’s also much more stable and reliable. And it’s not as simple as “Hey, I heard Scorsese is shooting something with DiCaprio in town next month. Why don’t you try reaching out to them, let them know you’re a talented actor too, see if they can’t help you out, get you something in the movie?” (Actual suggestion given by a well meaning family member. It does not work like that!)

An artist on the other hand is being driven by the passion and love of their craft, their work, and the product they create. That drives is what propels them in industries that don’t have that formulaic stability. So much is up to chance, or subjective acceptance and decisions of others (looking at you casting directors and producers).

But at the end of the day, both sides are a business. An actor is both the business and the product. I am the business owner, the salesman, outreach coordinator, HR, custodian and intern of the “Costa Nicholas” business, and my product is myself: my acting, my editing, my look, my brand, etc.

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

Well the biggest support would have to come from within and above. The current strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are proof of that. Studio greed needs to be eliminated, but studio greed, and studio interference dates back to the earliest days of Hollywood.

But as for those not in the industry? *BUY* music and movies! Don’t stream or torrent them for free. Especially music; that whole industry is garbage for the musicians right now. Buy art from local artists, or artists on etsy, not just the recycled, machine made stuff you see in stores. It may cost a little more, but you’re getting something that took time and talent! And for the love of God, do NOT support the use of AI in any art form! At least not yet, not while it’s unregulated. Basically, don’t take the cheap and easy route, take the time and the care to give back to those who create the things you enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.costanicholas.com
• Instagram: @CostaTheActor
• Twitter: @CostaNicholas
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2768877/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Image 3: (Still from “General Hospital”) Image 5: (BTS from “Caretaker”)