We recently connected with Manny Mccord and have shared our conversation below.
Manny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I’d be lying if I said I never had that thought. I have a bachelor’s degree that I’ll probably never use, at least not in the traditional sense, and I’m okay with that. The grind of an artist is something that’s really difficult to comprehend unless you’re in it or have been through it. To put it plainly, we live in one of the most expensive cities in the world, juggling multiple side hustles to make ends meet while chasing a career that offers no guarantees. And yeah, sure, there are a lot of things in life that aren’t guaranteed, but in this particular field, putting in more time doesn’t necessarily translate to more financial stability. You truly have to love acting and love telling stories to be at peace with the pursuit of it all.
Manny, 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?
I moved to Los Angeles six months after graduating college. I had no job lined up, nor did I have any money saved. But what I did have was a really good friend who allowed me to stay at his place for a few months until I was able to get some things going. I slept on his air mattress because someone else was already crashing on the couch.
My plan was to get out here, get my feet on the ground, and figure it out. Within my first two weeks, I was enrolled in an acting class and working at a bar in Hollywood. Shortly after, the pandemic hit, and everything pretty much shut down. During that downtime, I learned how to write, and I really fell in love with that process. Just out of a necessity standpoint, writing gave me the freedom to create my own opportunities as well as opportunities for my friends, which eventually led me to landing an agent, getting auditions, and receiving a couple of “yeses” every now and again.
My main reason for sharing most of this is for the people who are considering pursuing their dreams. Encouraging people to follow their hearts really fills my soul, but at the same time, there’s a responsibility to be real and raw so they at least have a bit of an idea about what to expect. That way, they can be ready to work and tackle it the best way they see fit.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My first meeting with a manager in Hollywood was definitely something I’ll always remember. I walked into a beautiful office in Beverly Hills and spoke with a team of managers. For the most part, it’s what you’d expect: small talk, just getting to know each other—where I was from, my name, that sort of thing. Within the first five minutes, one of the managers interrupted me and said, “Okay, this meeting is boring as hell. What makes you different from anyone else in Hollywood?” As you can imagine, this threw me off and created a whirlwind of emotions. At that time, I felt like I answered in the best way I could. But now, after being here for a few years, putting in hours and hours of work, and finally understanding my worth, I know the answer to that question. It’s simple, really, and I had actually already said it in that meeting. I stated my name, where I’m from, shared stories about my family, told them my hobbies, and explained my views on certain things. And that’s it. That’s what makes me different. No one else has lived my life, walked in my shoes, or seen the world through my eyes. You see, you come to this town trying to be somebody when the most special thing about you is YOU. Don’t lose that.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
This is a difficult one for me to put into words. I’d say freedom. And I definitely don’t mean financial freedom because that may never come. What I mean is the freedom I feel in the pursuit of my dream. Young Manny would be proud that adult Manny had the courage to do what his heart desires. I also enjoy making people feel something—whether it’s by encouraging them through action or affecting them emotionally through a story or a scene. I love movies because I enjoy being taken to different worlds, experiencing all the emotions, learning things I didn’t know, or just escaping for two hours in a theater. Being part of that is incredibly fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crimsonmooncinema.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannymccord
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10819845/
Image Credits
Jonny Marlow