We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jose Eduardo Ramos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jose Eduardo, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

There’s a quote I heard by John Maxwell, which says “The more I know, the more I realize. I don’t know”.
Adopting a growth mindset and student mentally has allowed me to seek working with different teachers , reading a variety of books, podcasts and being open to learning from any viable source or situation. Ive been blessed to have studied with some great teachers but the true learning comes from doing. Working, actually practicing your craft, exploring different things, and failing over and over again.
Honestly, as difficult as it can be sometimes, physically doing the work from beginning to end, putting in the reps, the hours and executing on a consistent basis has allowed me to grow and develop the confidence needed to be freer in my work.
If knew then what I know now, I would’ve stayed in class throughout and sought out different coaches earlier. I would’ve also developed a community of like minded artists like I have now, Its important in this business to have that support and accountability system. Overall , I would’ve been more consistent with my learning and doing. Trusting the process, that its a marathon not a sprint, and celebrating all the small victories in between.

There are so many skills that are essential and I believe it’s an individual thing.
For me it was working to get out of my head, thinking too much and not trying to get things perfect. Trusting my preparation , that I was enough, being present and really taking what the moment gave me and responding honestly.

The obstacles that stood in the way of me learning more, initially it was finances but I realized that there are so many books, so many sources available for us to learn and there are things that I could practice daily that are free.
Time is my greatest challenge as I have a full time job, am a hands on father for my son and have many responsibilities at home, so I have to really schedule my creative work time, which if I’m being honest I suck at but am getting better.
The other obstacle that creeps up every once in a while, is just really believing that we can do this and that we can contribute and add value to any production that we’re a part of. Why not us.. right?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was always fascinated with movies, television and entertainment as a kid. Reenacting scenes, moments and imitating characters I grew up watching. That said I never thought it was possible that I could do this.
While in high school, we did a Shakespeare re-enactment in modern times, using some improv, and it was an amazing experience. A few years later I was in a music video that was story driven and really enjoyed the process.
Although I fought it for some time, I decided to take an acting in NYC, which I actually went to but never got up to perform. Yes, I was scared!
I then enrolled in a two year Meisner conservatory program and that was it , I was hooked. Throughout the years I took time off as life got complicated at times but I always kept my foot in the door doing little jobs or community, church theater.
About 8 years ago I decided if I was going to do this then I needed to be as fully committed as I could be. So I went back to class, rededicated myself and I haven’t looked back. I have been fortunate to have studied with some amazing, kind and generous teachers, and I feel I need to be consistent with my craft to continue growing, becoming more confident and more fluid with my work. I’m also a part of a few great creative communities, which is key.
What I am most proud is being the best father that I can be to my son and business wise not quitting despite some major life challenges, massive failures and embarrassments. Taking those moments and choosing to learn from them, empower myself and help others.
I’m also so grateful to have been consistently working over the last handful of years in different mediums TV (FBI, Lifetime Movie “The Closer”), a myriad of independent shorts/features airing on Prime, Tube, Etc and theater (“Awake” at The Barrow Group).
Being a father, working for the fire department for now 23 years and living life gives me a depth and perspective that I didn’t have when I was younger and its shifted my work for the better.
I feel what sets me apart from anyone else is my positivity, work ethic and range, because of all the challenges, failures and work I’ve done , I feel I have a depth and versatility that’s powerful and unique.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

For me, the greatest misunderstanding by non creatives is them constantly asking why are you putting in so much work, time, energy and finances for something that doesn’t always make you money, that’s so unpredictable, inconsistent, frustrating and that the chances of consistent work and success are low.
They feel if I put this much work into something else, it would have yielded more success, money , etc.
What they don’t understand is that once we realized we can’t not do whatever art or creative endeavor that has chosen us, we’re doing it regardless of the recognition, the success and obstacles. It just becomes about the work itself, the process, the journey and being of service to this craft and every story we get to tell. I do have to say I’m getting less and less of these questions lately.
There is so much self knowledge and fulfillment in the exploration and well executed scene or work that transcends anything extrisintic and that makes all the work, sacrifices and obstacles disappear.
It really is living life at a heightened and more present state, which serves me more in my everyday life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My parents, who I am extremely grateful for moved to New York from Puerto Rico and I was born a year later.
I grew up very humbly and my parents were really just trying to find a way to navigate starting their new life, so I never grew up thinking or believing that any creative pursuit or really anything outside of the norm was possible.
Growing up as an overweight kid and having self esteem issues compounded these feelings of not being enough or not dreaming big. As I got older, and experienced life and was able to accomplish a few things, I realized that although I had some disadvantages that anything was possible. And as I lived life, educated myself and witnessed stories about others who were in similar positions or even worse off, accomplishing great things, It hit me, that I can do the same for others. That if I can accomplish my goals, live my dreams, that I can give hope to those who are in the position I was in or those who are struggling with their belief system. For years I kept this in for fear of being ridiculed, judged but when times are tough or challenging, this mission to serve those who are afraid, who don’t believe that they can or don’t think its possible, has gotten me through.
I’m realizing that it’s less about us and more about how we serve, add value to others and our contributions that really make the difference. If can do this, then I truly believe with hard work, and a strong commitment anyone can. Empowering others, especially those marginalized is truly fuel for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Jose_eduardo_ramos
• Other: IMDB- https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm4624553/

  Actors Access- https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/joseeduardoramos

Image Credits

Edward T Morris
Michael Ruiz