We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric J. Blanco-l.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric J. below.
Alright, Eric J. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
At first glance, taking a risk might seem like you’re setting yourself up for trouble… yet, there truly is something rather exhilarating about taking a calculated risk, isn’t there? One driven by passion, purpose, and a willingness to just go for it, even if you’re unsure of how the journey will end…
That reality of that risk wasn’t just in following a creative path for me. It was in giving myself permission to try. I believe this is crucial for anyone on the creator’s journey. It’s about trusting yourself enough to step into the unknown and have the courage to make it real.
I’ve always been drawn to entertainment and the creative process. Looking back, I realize that the foundation for everything I do today was built on moments of calculated risk, starting back during my high school years. I took my first serious steps into this industry with an internship at NBC and Univision in Miami and before I knew it, I was cast as background on the well known telenovela Betty en NY. What started as a small role turned into a bigger opportunities on the set, where I was moved into more featured positions in bar and nightclub scenes.
At that point, the universe and I were in deep conversation and I just couldn’t ignore it…
But it wasn’t just about showing up for the work; it was about creating something for myself, of myself, creating myself entirely. I took another huge leap when I decided to shoot my very first film. This was at a point where I had 0 knowledge about film theory, acting, editing, any of it at all… but out came Void Walker, a found-footage horror that I filmed with a JVC Handicam that I documented everything with in my later high school years. Yeah, I was that guy…
Though believe it or not even the simple idea of creating a film seemed like a risk. How would I do it & more importantly why would I do it? In the end it was this risk that opened up everything for me nonetheless: writing, acting, directing, editing, and even promoting. It was transformative.
That first film was a risk on multiple levels. Not just with my time and budget but also personally. It wasn’t exactly “normal” to just go out and make a film where I came from at the time or in my family lineage at all. I was eager to be an actor, I’m sure like anyone else, but I pushed myself further to actually create something from scratch. I wanted to understand what it was like. Experience the process with its ups and downs. I remember feeling nervous at every stage. Nervous about what people would think, nervous about directing my friends who were kind enough to help, nervous about editing for the first time on my first film, even as I hit upload when the time arrived to share it with the world. But despite it all, I did it… & that experience changed my trajectory in ways I simply could not fathom then.
Fast forward to today and I’m in Los Angeles, further building my career in the entertainment industry. I’ve learned that everything from my move here without ever having been here and with nothing but a one-way ticket, to starting as a PA upon arrival and hustling to land acting and directing roles within the year and staying on my path every day beyond that. It’s all been a series of risks. Whether it was keeping my career alive during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic, navigating the 2023 industry strike, or continuing to push forward despite the ups and downs. Even still, getting up every day and continuously searching for that role can feel like a risk… Though I can also say that every risk has been a stepping stone along the way.
In short, yes, I’ve taken risks… and I’ll continue to take them because to me, it’s a very effective way to grow as an artist, creator and even as an individual all around. It’s through those risks that we find out who we are, what we’re made of, and what we’re truly capable of achieving!
So, to anyone out there on a similar path…
Don’t be afraid to take the leap and all of the leaps after it. Trust yourself, trust your process, and stay the course!
Eric J., 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?
Howdy! Eric J. Blanco-L. (also known as Jango L.) here,
I’m an actor and director from Florida now based in Los Angeles, California!
I’m primarily known for my work as a talent but also being a creator, I wear many other hats across the media world as well! Whether it’s creating content for myself or producing for others, I’m always looking for ways to push the boundaries of storytelling and visual expression. From working on films, documentaries, music videos, commercials, broadcasts and more. I’ve even gone as far as expanding my skill set into the realm of Artificial Intelligence through my day work and extended studies. By day I work as a researcher and specialist with large language models, text-to-speech, and text-to-image technologies, etc.
Not only is it a new avenue but I am also using these tools to stay on top of things when it comes to AI in creative projects, both in entertainment and beyond!
My journey in the entertainment industry started with a focus on acting but as we all know, the landscape is constantly shifting. Upon arrival to LA, I honed in on Directing to expand my capabilities, understanding and opportunities. Even then, events like the pandemic and the industry-wide strike of 2023 forced me to pivot and adapt even further. I’ve always believed that creativity can’t be constrained, so instead of slowing down, I embraced new opportunities. These challenges opened doors to things like broadcasting, streaming, voice acting and more! Fields I have always wanted to explore but have hardly had the opportunity to. Now, I am immersing myself in them as well!
These experiences have fueled my mission: to always create, no matter the circumstances. I’m blessed enough to have a solid foundation on top of loyal and ever-growing communities through Bad Mojo (film and entertainment based) and P.v.P (Paws vs Players, gaming based) that inspire me even more so. This was achieved by expanding my reach through Twitch Television broadcasts as an official affiliate and fully investing into growing my YouTube channel. Slowly but surely building a digital library of content for anyone who stumbles upon it or is curious enough! These platforms have not only allowed me to showcase my work but have also helped me secure better agency representation, more acting roles and much more, further proving that taking control of your own creative journey can pay off!
As for what’s next? I’m more focused than ever on leveling up. My path so far; from working as an assistant on sets, to booking roles from background to leading, even directing entire productions and projects and eventually dabbling into broadcasting, voice acting more digitized work… It has all been a deeply rewarding process. Now? I’m laser-focused on achieving the next level of greatness. I’m inspired by the journey itself and I’m thrilled to dive into whatever lies ahead! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and for the ones I am yet to have, but I know this is only the beginning. Though I’m both committed and ready to make the next chapter even bigger and better than ever and I would love to invite you all to join along for the ride with me!
If you haven’t already tapped into any of the channels or checked out any of the content yet you can find me through @JangoTheOfficial on pretty much anything…
Cheers!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Like many creators, the past few years have been a whirlwind. Especially for artists trying to turn dreams into reality in the midst of everything going on today in age. Life has a way of throwing curveballs and the challenges we’ve faced recently, particularly with COVID and the 2023 industry strike, have tested our resolve in ways I personally never saw coming. For me, COVID hit right when I was in the thick of my college years. Being a student and aspiring actor/creator, I was suddenly thrusted into a world where learning from behind a screen became the new normal and opportunities seemed to disappear overnight. It was a difficult time to be anything at all and like so many others, I felt the weight of the industry grinding to a halt. But as hard as it was, I knew I couldn’t just sit still or give up.
That doesn’t mean that things got much easier either. Things do not change over night. While the world began to recover from the pandemic, the entertainment industry was facing huge hurdles, including the strike, which only prolonged all uncertainty. As I neared graduation, I found myself at a crossroads. Do I call it a day or do I keep pushing? Naturally, I kept pushing. Rather than viewing these challenges as setbacks, I saw them as a chance to adapt… and that’s exactly what I did! I digitized myself and landed in broadcasting. It was a natural extension of my skills and a way to keep creating from home. What started as an experimental outlet quickly turned into something more. Before long, I became an official affiliate on Twitch, building P.v.P (Paws vs Players), a very supportive community helping me gain momentum in a space I have always been interested in!
This shift opened many doors and as things progress, I find myself further exploring broadcasting opportunities and even voice acting now as well! All fields I’ve always wanted to get into yet have never had the resources to pursue until now! It has truly been a challenging but exciting journey, one that has helped me grow in ways I could have never imagined. Pivoting during such a turbulent time wasn’t easy, but it taught me how valuable it is to be able to adapt and continue doing what you love. Especially when the world seems to be working against you!
Today, not only do I continue to strive for greatness as an talent and entertainment worker, but I now also have a thriving Twitch Television Channel and a fully developed YouTube platform, both which have allowed me to continue creating and connecting with my ever-flowing and growing supporters and reshaping the way the entertainment industry works, especially when it comes to community! This has not only helped me stay relevant in such an uncertain industry but it has also opened up more opportunities for me as a talent. Now, as the industry begins to get back to normal, I am fully equipped to take it by the horns! I’m eager to charge into new horizons and limits when it comes to roles and productions, all while continuing to build my presence as a content creator and voice actor!
This experience has shown me that no matter what obstacles we face, there’s always a way to keep moving forward. For me, it’s been about staying true to my passions, finding new avenues for creativity, and never giving up on the dream of becoming THE leading talent in entertainment today!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Artists are just as vital to society as any other essential element, yet all too often, we find ourselves fighting for recognition, understanding, and support.
At the core of it all, what we need most is belief… belief in our work, in our stories and in our ability to make an impact. Society thrives on creativity and artists are a good portion of those who push those boundaries, challenge our perceptions, and inspire true change. But we can’t do it alone.
As an artist, I’ll step out on a limb and speak to art’s transformative power. I believe art isn’t just about making something beautiful or entertaining. It has been my lifeline. Art has shaped me, guided me and given me glorious purpose! It’s not just what I do. It’s who I am. What I am. I know that many if not all artists feel the same way because our craft is not just a job but it’s a deeply personal and integral part of our lives. Without it, many of us wouldn’t be the people we are today. To deny an artist’s ability to create is to deny a part of their very soul.
When it comes to what you can do to help, it’s actually simpler than most might think. Support! Just being there. Whether that means showing up to a performance, sharing your favorite work, or offering those very well needed words of encouragement… it all makes a huge difference. Artists often have to wear many faces. We are not only the talent but also the producers, promoters, and managers of our own careers during and through our take off. When you take the time to see our work, when you give us a moment of your attention, when you take a second to help share it… That all helps exemplify all the hard work we put into our craft. In return, that support can be the catalyst that propels us to new heights!
True support isn’t just about financial backing, though that is reasonably important, I think it’s really about community. It’s about people. People coming together. People showing that they care whether by interacting with an artist’s content, engaging with them directly, or simply spreading the word. Communities thrive on connection and the more people we can connect with, the more we as artists are able to grow and continue doing what we love. All thanks to the community.
I’m sure all artists work tirelessly to create. Too often this comes at great personal sacrifice, because we’re driven by the belief that what we do has value… that it can touch lives, provoke thought, and genuinely change the world. It’s a beautiful and sometimes tragic pursuit, because we often give so much of ourselves to the process. Though at the end of the day, we create for others. We want to share our vision with the world and we want the world to try and understand it. Simply put.
If you want to support an artist, the best thing you can do is simply be there. Show up, engage, and let us know that what we do matters. If you have the chance to help an artist grow; whether through sharing their work, collaborating, or simply offering your encouragement… take that chance on them! You never know how far it will go or what kind of impact it might have on the broader lands of our communities and maybe even society. We are all connected on this journey and by supporting one another, we create a more vibrant, creative, and thriving ecosystem!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10386125/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Eric%2520J%2520Blanco%2520L
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jangotheofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JangoTheOfficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-j-blanco-l/
- Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@jangotheofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JangoTheOfficial
- Other: https://streamlabs.com/jangotheofficial/merch
Image Credits
Scott Schafer
Eric J. Blanco-L.