We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eli Burbage. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eli below.

Eli , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

This line of work truly found me, and while it may sound cliché, it’s absolutely true. After spending several years coaching soccer in Tennessee, I moved back home to Hawai’i. It was during this uncertain period of my life, filled with a search for purpose, that I stumbled upon a delivery jog. Interestingly enough, it involved delivering flowers for a talented flower artist named Michael Miyashiro.

Every day, as I worked alongside Michael, he could sense my restlessness and would offer suggestions for potential career paths. He encouraged me to explore invention, and even introduced me to individuals with connections to jobs like working for a news station. He genuinely cared about my journey. One evening, after a particularly long day at work, Michael instructed me to deliver a flower arrangement to a woman’s office for her birthday, with the unusual request to not return until the following morning. Confused, yet trusting, I agreed.

Little did I know, the recipient of that flower arrangement was Rachel Sutton, the casting director for Hawaii Five-0. During the brief encounter, she suggested that I consider doing background work for the show. Back then, I had no idea what that entailed, but it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Rachel took my first headshot and I started working as a background actor for season 5 of the show. That opportunity introduced me to the captivating world of filmmaking.

I became immersed in the production process, particularly during my time on the set of Kong: Skull Island as a stand-in for Eugene Cordero. I was filled with awe and admiration. Observing talented individuals like Eugene, Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson going through their creative processes in real-time was a transformative experience. The entire cast displayed remarkable skill and infectious enthusiasm. Witnessing their dedication and joy, I couldn’t help but fall in love with acting.

Then, on one unforgettable night, I received an unexpected gift. It was around 1 a.m., and we had just wrapped up an exhausting 13-hour day in the heart of the jungle. Just as everyone was ready to leave the set, Sam, ever the professional, insisted on setting up the first shot for the morning to maximize productivity. However, the scene required Eugene, who had already departed for the day. Seizing the opportunity, Samuel L. Jackson turned to me and requested that I perform the scene with him, challenging because I was his stand-in that I knew the lines because, after all, I was a @#$% actor, right?!

Suddenly, I found myself in a scene with Mr. Samuel L. Jackson as my first scene partner. In that moment, at 1 a.m. amidst the jungle, he taught me an invaluable lesson. As soon as the cameras started rolling, he transformed into his character, radiating intense seriousness. I was taken aback, unprepared for the level of professionalism he exhibited. It was a truly humbling experience that weighed heavily on my mind throughout the rest of the night home.

I contemplated the pride and dedication Samuel L. Jackson poured into his craft, even at the end of an arduous day, while working with a stand-in who was still uncertain about his own aspirations. It was in that profound moment that I realized being an actor meant having the privilege and responsibility to tell stories that could impact people’s lives. It was an honor not to be taken lightly but to be cherished and embraced with a deep sense of pride. From that point on, I was fully committed. That on a December night in 2016, I signed with my first talent agent in February 2017.

Eli , 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?

I am Eli Burbage. I am from Kailua, Oahu Hawa’i. I am Hawaiian/ Filipino. I was raised in a military family, spending most of my childhood on military bases around the U.S. and Europe. I love to play soccer and surf and watch movies (especially in theaters) in my free time. I am an actor by trade and a complete goof at heart. I started out in background, gaining a huge respect and deep understanding of what it takes to make a project come to life. The countless hours and harrowing efforts logged in by the crews, writers, directors, everyone involved down to the hard working production assistants. I have worked on shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I. and worked alongside Kyle Chandler in Godzilla vs. Kong. The work I am most proud of so far was for a role I did on a short film called “The Pit Where We Were Born” starring myself and Jarod Bailon. Jarod plays my overbearing father and I play a young drug addict searching for guidance and someone to really listen. The work we did earned the “Audience Choice Award” at the 2019 Hawaiian International Film Festival. I enjoy learning to seeing the world through the eyes of each character I play and appreciate the journey I am taken getting to know them and understand them without judgement.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

So once after a showing for the “The Pit Where We Were Born” in Honolulu, I was asked to sign autographs for fans waiting in the lobby. I was excited because it the first time I had experienced this. While I was in the lobby, I was approached by a well known person in Hawaii. He asked for a picture with me and said how grateful he was for the work I had done to accurately portray Rudy. He cried during the film because through Rudy he saw people he was very close with growing up and seeing people sympathize with Rudy’s struggle was in a way cathartic. He was able to understand in a knew way how his loved ones felt when they were in the same situation as well. He hugged me like we had known each other for years. So hearing of his personal connection to Rudy and his appreciation for what I had done was surprisingly rewarding. To see first hand how powerful this work is was incredible and the positive affect it had on him was everything.

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

To best support artists, creatives I feel there are lots of ways our society as a whole can help. I think our society already recognizes and values creativity. Which is amazing. By acknowledging and valuing creativity, we can foster an environment where artists feel respected and supported. I think that with the amount of content being created its important now more than ever to highlight Intellectual Property rights. Establishing transparent and equitable systems for compensation ensures that artists can sustain themselves and continue producing high-quality work. Financial support is crucial for artists, especially during the early stages of our careers or when undertaking ambitious projects. Another very important issue is the ability to make space for creative expression. Students should feel safe to pursue creative outlets. Programs that strongly support arts education, exposing students to various artistic disciplines and nurturing students creative abilities. In Hawaii, early on in my career there wasn’t so much access to acting coaches. Today I think the industry is growing there and thriving. We have several projects the local community is able to gain experience through, more acting coaches, and even programs like Improv Hawaii, established not too long ago by Kimee Balmilero. I am a product of that progress.

Regarding the current writers’ strike, it is essential the general public understands the issues at hand. Writers often face challenges such as fair compensation, working conditions, and creative control over their work. Addressing these concerns requires open dialogue between writers, production companies, and industry stakeholders to negotiate contracts that protect writers’ rights and reflect the value of their contributions. It is crucial for both sides to find common ground, recognizing the importance of supporting and valuing the creative work of writers while also considering the financial sustainability of the industry. To have the support of our fans and society means everything. Writers to me are the most important part of the equation, and I fully support their position.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm8399785?s=90c41b34-386a-2441-f2fc-8636ea321c92&site_preference=normal
• Instagram: @eliburbage
• Twitter: @TheEliBurbage

Image Credits
Photos taken by Matt Marcheski.