We recently connected with Myles Green and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Myles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In my household, my parents made a fun tradition of showing me old movies they grew up on. From Jim Carrey flicks to Spike Lee Joints, the more I watched these films, the more I fell in love with the idea of performing and storytelling. Overtime, I realized that I had a passion not just for watching movies—but for creating them. And it was in that discovery that I knew I wanted to be an actor.
I’ve always been inspired and fueled by the stories that so many filmmakers have told through their work. Even in my experience so far, I’ve learned it’s not always the easiest to be vulnerable in your art, especially when people have the courage to witness it. But I feel that those kinds of stories have a real power to touch, and even connect others. And those are the stories that I want to tell through my work—the kind that allows us to see one another.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Sure! I got into acting when I was around 9 years old. My parents barely believed me at the time, but once they could tell I was serious, we began searching for opportunities for me to learn my craft. I took a lot of local and bicoastal classes to hone my skills, but the way I got “into the industry” was through my first agent in California. They sent me out for a lot of stuff including auditions, workshops, and networking opportunities. That was my first real taste of the industry and after departing from them, I continued to audition and pursue opportunities as an actor.
Over the years, as I continued to navigate the industry, I discovered that I had other interests in writing, directing, and even producing. And after being accepted to New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, I was able to develop and practice those skills over the next four years and even begin making works of my own. It’s been an incredible journey so far, exploring all the other ways I like to create.
Today, I write, direct, and sometimes star in my own short films and skits that I produce with my extremely talented friends. In fact, we have another project coming out soon that I’ve been very excited to work on and am even more proud to release! So stay tuned!
Have you ever had to pivot?
Oh, all the time! Putting yourself out there as a young artist, you sometimes feel that you have to try to mimic your icons to be memorable. And although there’s an endearment in “following in the footsteps of giants”, I’ve noticed that it can, in many ways, diminish what makes us special as individuals.
There was a time in my life where I believed I had to be a certain way, and act a certain way. Not just as an artist, but as a black man in America.
It took me a while to acknowledge this habit, but once I did, I realized I had to shift my mindset from being a “star”, to being me. I feel there are many layers to who I am and who I’m becoming, and I’m still learning to allow myself the space to explore each of those layers authentically.
For anyone who may be experiencing a similar journey; I encourage you to be your authentic self. It’s a scary road, but a fruitful one.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Okay, I might be flexing the question just a little bit here, so bear with me! But here’s a lesson I’m actually still learning from.
First of all, let it be known, I like comparing my dad to Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid. Mostly because the lessons he teaches me don’t resonate until I apply them in my own life. When I was young, he always used to say: “say it with your chest”. At the time, I never really understood what that meant.
Fast forward years later, I was working on a commercial set as a production assistant. I didn’t know anyone and like many on their first day, I was worried about making the best first impression. But then, like a bell, I heard my dad’s words in my head; “say it with your chest.”, and I got up the courage to go speak to my coworkers. Turns out that one of the people I spoke to on set that day was the assistant director for this feature film that was set to shoot in a few months! They offered me a job and I worked on their set the rest of the summer!
Growing up, I was kind of a timid guy, and I can still keep to myself when I want to. But that lesson taught me to build confidence in myself and in my abilities. And that’s something I take with me to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mylesagreen.com/
- Instagram: @_mylesgreen_
Image Credits
Oliver Miguel Mason Woodard