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

Neil, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I started acting in high school without much technical knowledge or training whatsoever. Fortunately, my school (Whitefish Bay High School) really valued the arts and the teachers there were all very passionate about developing each student by finding out what makes us who we are and what ignites us with energy. My first teacher was a man named John Coleman, and he very patiently taught me that before the “play” of acting begins, there is much work to be done. His guidance along with my sister Rose’s help memorizing lines were definitely key to my pursuit of the craft.

During my time at Whitefish Bay High School, a unique training opportunity arose for students to audition for a television show as hosts, reporters, writers, producers, editors and sound engineers through Strive Media Institute which ran a few television shows including G.T.V. (Gumbo Television) and Teen Forum. These shows ran like News programs, including human interest pieces as well as current events, celebrity news, and even featured music videos. Each student involved would be given training and the opportunities to work in every facet of Broadcast Journalism and Television Production. I was the “Strive To Be The Best” Reporter. This experience taught me many key differences between working on stage verses working on camera. I also learned much about the technical side of the industry which I value greatly.

For college I auditioned and was accepted into the Acting BFA program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This was definitely the most intense, thorough, educational, transformational and refining point in my training. Here I learned from the best, with the best, and in doing so, saw my strengths and weaknesses as an artist truly surface, leaving me with the decision to either refine my habits, practices and techniques, or burn out. I was blessed with a great community and truly benefited from seeing each and every member of the program shine in their perfectly unique ways.

After college I worked with a few theaters and independent filmmakers refining my craft and booking some Television and Commercial work before landing a few Feature Films. But soon the time came to pursue Hollywood, and when I arrived I jumped on as many opportunities to train and study as I could afford to. Some coaches I’ve studied from here in Los Angeles include Joseph Pearlman, Brad Heller, Clay Banks, and a whole slew of artists at Stan Kirsch Acting Studios. (Shout out!)

-Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have moved to Los Angeles sooner. In Chicago and Milwaukee I was well known, enough that I would often get work without auditioning. I had established a name for myself and a reputation that afforded me director’s meetings and table reads where after, I’d be asked if I’d like to accept the part, or if any other parts spoke to me. Establishing that rapport in a new city which is massively populated during a 3 year pandemic-strike isolation period really hasn’t been the best timing. Also, I wish I would have started training here in L.A. sooner. Networking is so important and after these past few years I feel I’ve completely fallen out of touch with the whole concept. Meeting the right people is key, and I’ve met so many who don’t even live here anymore.

Essential skills that have really helped me definitely revolve less around talent and more around commitment. The number one “skill” I treasure most as an actor is my ability to learn. Aside from being able to learn, one must be committed to that process, and so: time management is also very crucial. I do my best work when I organize my free time with lists of “to-do” items, which definitely include rest, stretching, exercise, eating restorative and energizing foods, reading, writing screenplays, practicing a monologue, keeping up on new shows and who’s directing them, making time to pray and meditate on the Word of God, and reflecting on my own life quietly as a form of self regulation and (hopefully) growth. That being said, Humility is a trait which I find greatly improves these critical skills. If you do what you do to glorify yourself, you do it in vain. So I try to be a source of love and joy wherever I go with hopes that in whatever I do, I glorify God. By this principle, I think listening is the most important skill to master: Listen to understand, not to respond.

My greatest obstacles changed. I used to be my greatest obstacle. As a young man I was very proud, selfish and arrogant. This made me very naive, which made me very blunt. No one goes to a hardware store to by a blunt saw, they want a sharp one. Directors, producers, writers, coaches, actors – you name it, they all want to work with people who make the work easier. A sharp tool will provide that, where a blunt one only adds difficulty to any task.

After years of working on myself I finally sharpened and refined all those rough edges and then.. casting became my greatest obstacle. This industry is not a meritocracy. In contrast, Hollywood makes many of its decisions based on guessing what audiences want to see, and who they want to see do it. When this town first started out, Story and Truth drove audiences to the theaters and talent and commitment and professionalism made stars. Now, “Inclusion” seems to be a double edged sword stabbing the industry and it’s artists in the back. No other workplace setting in the world is allowed to state that certain jobs require you to be of a certain ethnicity or gender or sexual orientation in order to apply for the job.. Yet this is considered “inclusion” rather than discrimination. I think the industry over-corrected and did so incorrectly.

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

I grew up loving television and film. Jim Carey, Jackie Chan, anything Disney or Batman or Ironman or Spiderman related had my full attention. I remember staying up late with my sister Rose watching The Lion King on mute so our Mom wouldn’t know we were still awake. We’d put on closed captioning and take turns reading the different characters’ lines until we had them memorized and then eventually get caught singing “Hakuna Matata!” Indiana Jones was a big favorite, and Batman with Michael Keaton was so incredible I still rewatch it and know almost every line. I actually hoped growing up that one day I could play Terry McGinness in a live action Batman Beyond.. So needless to say, as I grew up and realized that I could actually train to become an actor and do these incredible things that I saw all these talented actors do, I knew that was what I wanted.

Since I loved cartoons, VoiceOver always fascinated me and I started studying the equipment, setups, software and techniques people used. I loved Jackie Chan and owned almost every VHS of his work up until about 2010 when my basement flooded and they sank like the Titanic.. But that desire to be able to do what he does, to move live Jackie, or Batman.. I asked my Mom when I was in the 3rd grade to sign me up for Kung-Fu classes, and quite thankfully, she did. So Technically, I studied most of VoiceOver on my own, was taught movement by skilled Martial Artists, and then worked with very kind and informative professionals who eased me into both VoiceOver and stage-combat/stunt-work. As I mentioned previously, My acting training was vast.. But my first real big “Break” was working on the Christian Film “Come Follow Me,” where I played John, the disciple. That was huge for me. Walking on those sets (some of which I helped build) with those cameras rolling felt like everything was finally coming together.

Services I provide are Acting, Voice Acting, Dubbing Foreign Films, Impressions, Stunts, Stand-In, as well as Self-Taping other actors auditions and reading for them. I am equipped with Source Connect, have a home studio for recording, have 4K equipment and also offer Headshots if needed to match the look for the audition self-tape.

What sets me apart from others?

Here in Los Angeles I would say it’s my demeanor for one. I don’t want an ego, I want a team. I’m excited to try new things and love those on-set “aha” moments when I get to try something new or in a different way and it clicks. Working in VoiceOver I was given a note by a director once and it completely changed how I saw the character and my delivery of this line absolutely transformed and I felt so grateful for the experience! Also, as someone who has worked on camera, behind the camera, edited, done sound, lighting, you name it.. I can understand what technical considerations need to be made while also looking out for everyone on set should an issue arise. Working as a stand-in definitely taught me a lot in that regard.

I’m most proud of my ability to transform. Since I do VoiceOver and impressions and had voice coaching for several years I enjoy doing different accents and creating or “flushing out” a character and love exploring those sounds and movements.

Also, despite my appearance, I have studied a LOT of comedy and improv technique and can play more than a villain or “ethnic-type.” -I was told by a few directors and agents on Clubhouse once that my headshots looked very serious and dramatic but that after having a fun conversation, they all saw me perfect for sitcom, which I’d greatly enjoy. -So Thanks!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve often felt that an artistic pursuit is viewed as “selfish.” Rather, I should say that I have often been made to feel that way by those who misunderstand us artists. Sometimes life happens.. People pass away, family needs help, someone breaks your heart. -Life can be a lot. I’ve had to put my career on hold several times to deal with “life.” Sometimes I was providing financial assistance to family, or moral support, or physically being present for them in a time of struggle and that meant seeking other forms of income to afford me that flexible schedule.. So I pivoted. I’ve always had one foot in acting and another tap-dancing between construction, marketing, being a barista.. I mean just look at my LinkedIn, lol. My point is: It’s ok to put “being human” before your art. Sometimes you need to play the background in the arts so you can take the lead in your life. Don’t make being an artist your idol. You are the masterpiece, not the job.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I struggled with depression after a breakup and experiencing some family hardships.. It got bad. I didn’t want to go outside, I didn’t want to see anyone I knew, I didn’t want to even eat I just wanted to sleep and watch “The Office.” Eventually I started to see a therapist and “doing the work,” which included taking medication and.. I tried acting in a play with my home theater troupe which I love and adore and had worked with for 15 years.

Unfortunately, two weeks before opening, my medication had completely destroyed my memorization skills. I had all my lines off-book for weeks, but then they were gone. My director pulled me aside and kindly explained what was happening and I barely even noticed. I was so embarrassed. I agreed to step down from the leading role and offered instead to just help finish building the set for the show. I was so embarrassed but I knew that the show deserved an actor who could deliver -and I wasn’t there as a side effect from the medication I was on. I talked to my doctor, they changed my meds. The set was coming along and while I was alone amidst a snowstorm I was approached by a man who had heard about me from a mentor of mine. The man had a deep conversation with me and then offered me an audition. I explained my current situation and the man said “Oh, this isn’t for theater, it’s for a feature and you’re able to memorize a few pages still, right?

Needless to say, I grabbed that script, studied it all night when I got home and booked the role. I was given the next two months before filming began and I LIVED with that script by my side. I had every single line memorized for every character, I fought so hard to deserve the opportunity I’d been given and that film went on to be globally distributed.

I was literally sweeping sawdust in an empty theater by myself after building a desk and when that man offered me that opportunity, my inner artist SCREAMED “YOU AREN’T FINISHED ACTING!” So I listened, and that was ten years ago.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.NeilVanides.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neil_vanides/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nvanides?si=hB1cyRqbdoRO8ita
• IMDB: www.imdb.me/NeilVanides