Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Otto Lana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Otto, thanks for joining 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.

My life story is one of taking risks. This is America, the land of opportunity. But taking advantage of opportunities involves risk. And refer back to this is America. What is beautiful about America is that you are not punished for a risk not panning out. You just think of it as an opportunity to try again. Sometimes, the risks are imaginary, all in your head. If the risk is someone will laugh at me or my idea, I say good, have a hearty laugh at my expense, and when my idea is honed and I hit it big, I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank! Learning to type to communicate was a risk. Attending a regular high school was a risk. Inventing a letterboard and launching a website was a risk. Acting in a short film was a risk. Collaborating with fellow risk takers to write lyrics and produce a music video was a risk. Let My Typin’ Let You See — A TMP Original Music Video

But submitting my story to a project in Hollywood with seasoned actors and real professional Hollywood photographers and supporting professionals seemed like a huge risk. I am not represented by a talent agency. I do not have a PR rep or a social media director. I did not have headshots or any film festival credits to my name. But I knew I have a great story, a great personality, and the camera loves me. So I decided to send my bio and an iPhone pic to the organizers and see where it would go. There is an organization called the 1 in 4 Coalition which is trying to change the face of the entertainment industry to better reflect the world we live in. 1 in 4 people are disabled but less than 1% of the individuals behind or in front of the camera are disabled. We need representation with roles, good roles, not victims of bullying or caricatures of geniuses or mad professors. The only way this will happen is if people like me take a risk. But really, what was the risk? What was the worst that could happen? They say no? No problem. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I answered the lengthy questionnaire and pitched my idea for a good looking guy with great hair and a great smile to be included in their project, Hollywood On The Spectrum (HOTS). I gave them the opportunity to be the ones that discovered me. They could have the bragging rights that they were the ones to see past my deficits and see the diamond in the rough. Anyone can shine bright in the right light and who knows that better than a professional Hollywood photographer. Lo and behold, I got an email from Beth Dubber and Kiki Stash inviting me to be part of the project. This was just the beginning. There was the wardrobe fitting for the vintage clothes. There was hair and makeup. There was the early morning casting call on a real Hollywood sound stage. That may not seem like a big deal to you but I hate tags on my clothes. I hate buttons and zippers. And makeup…what does that even mean!!?? I can’t quit now, I’m in too deep. I can’t complain about the 1 in 4 if I’m not willing to risk a day in a three piece suit from the 1950’s. I can’t quit after I sold them on the idea that my life is a moonshot and I think of myself as a young JFK challenging America to be the first. I can’t quit when they agreed this is a great story and a great place to launch my rocket. So I take the leap and remind myself the only failure is the failure in not trying. But there is no shame in failing to succeed. I can always try again. If I never try, I will never accomplish anything. I was worried. I cannot smile on command. My smile is great. The camera loves my smile. But my smile is genuine. I have to feel joy in the moment to smile. Lucky for me I learned something about myself that day on set. I learned I love the sound stage. I love the bright lights. I love being on center stage. And even though the suit was scratchy, it was doable and I looked great. Most of all, I felt great. I knew I was making a difference. I knew that the next time the cast and crew met an individual who does not use their mouth to speak, they have a new lens to view that individual through. I know there will be a role for me someday, and if not soon maybe I’ll have to write it myself. But has anyone seen Top Gun: Maverick? Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky uses technology to speak just like I do! How cool is that! Val Kilmer lost his ability to speak from throat cancer. I lost my ability to speak from apraxia. You can learn more about the project at www.hollywoodonthespectrum.com and Beth’s Instagram @bethdubberphotography and my photo was picked for the Variety magazine article promoting the project. Move over Val Kilmer, there’s a new kid in town. HAHAHAHA. Just kidding Val, the stage is big enough for both of us.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My mission and my particular goal is to change the perception of disabled people. This begins with representation in the entertainment industry. We are leading men in our own lives, we need leading roles in front and behind the camera.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Are there really non-creatives or are there simply individuals who lack the self-confidence to believe in their creativity? This is also something I strive to do, get rid of binary ideals. This or that. Us or them. Creative or non-creative. All the non hyphen words are nonsense. I have been labeled non-speaking or non-verbal for nearly fifteen years. These non labels are hurtful and divisive. Instead of calling someone or even yourself a non-creative, change the view, change the light and think of yourself and others as someone who hasn’t exercised their creativity in a while. Try it out. It’s worth the risk. What do you have to lose?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ottosmotos.com
• Instagram: @otto_types
• Other: Google me and there’s lots of fun stuff you will find. It’s a virtual treasure hunt and you are bound to find some gems.

Image Credits
Beth Dubber is the HOTS pic with me in suit with the coral suit. Jocelyn Roy did the graphic art pic. Sofi Ghassaei made the action action of me. The rest of the pics are from my brothers Zach and Addison and my mom Shelly Lana