We recently connected with Paul Hurley and have shared our conversation below.
Paul, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
I’d say my size and demeanor are my most challenging attributes to overcome. I’m not a small guy and years of being in radio and as a bouncer in the bar business I developed an authoritative carrying voice. Most consider it to be intimidating, and to see a guy my size on set get excited about filming a scene can get, as it was told to me, pretty scary. I have to admit some of our fight scenes have been action packed and I’m normally either being thrown through a table or wall. But I’m really a soft hearted guy and can feel that energy as if it were a feeling of rejection. As an actor that’s probably the worst feeling in the world. At times I wish they could see the world through my eyes. not as the aggressor but the protector. Although that’s what makes us all unique. Not one of us sees the world the same or travels the same paths in life.
Paul, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
It all started with a friend request. I had recently gone through a divorce and was looking for a change of scenery. I was always told to surround yourself with the people who are living your dreams and one day you will too! I was looking for a change. I sat up one night on Facebook and simply started requesting suggested people whom were living the life I wanted to live. By chance just before Covid I received an invite to a movie release premier from a new friend. She was a film director and actress in the industry. I thought why not, I never would have imagined myself at one, but I immediately got excited. So the next day I went and bought a suit and prepared to go! I met some really amazing people that night whom I’m still close to today. After that night I began to receive numerous friends’ requests, sometimes double digits daily from people in the industry. They really network! Well, after covid restrictions were lifted I received a message from another Director and actress about playing a part in a proof-of-concept film as a bouncer. Well heck I’ve done that for nearly 30yrs. I got this! From there it dominoed from referral after referral, project after project, I’ve been in over 20 films in just the last two years and slated to film another 10 this year. In January 2023 I co-created Cryptid Pictures LLC and went into film production. Our First film The Wendigo was released in August 2023. Terror films covered our distribution, and it went worldwide. Again, I never thought something I had a part in would be required to be translated into 7 different languages. But here I am. And we’re hoping our second release of our Cryptid Collection anthology film in February is just as successful.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The Charity works. I sold my Harley in November of 2022 and used those funds to purchase a Batman suit, custom made in Australia by Superhero Concepts. I use the suit to volunteer at the Childrens Hospital and various other places children need a spark of hope or encouragement. I teamed up with another production company Be Your Own Hero Productions whom was partnered with Wonder Warriors. We visit the children in the hospitals and if they are able dress in their favorite superhero costume and pose with us Infront of a green screen we provide the costumes. We later create a movie themed poster for them to hang in their rooms as a window of imagination and escape. This hits pretty close to home for me. When I was 5yrs old I suffered and infection in my throat which caused abnormal swelling. I was confined in an oxygen tent for 5 months not even being able to feel the warm of my mother’s touch. I know how important heroes are to those who need them and will forever as long as I’m able play Batman.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mother has to be my biggest inspiration and driving force, Her siblings all pursued and captured that dream as my Aunt became a TV reporter, and Uncle a DJ and later Actor. She felt she missed her calling choosing to be a parent, family over career. So, in my journey I’ve made it a point to include her in film premieres and events which lead to her finally achieving her dream of seeing herself on a big screen. And she’s currently booked for another film You’re It slated for filming Spring of 2024. Seeing her finally achieve her dreams at 72yrs old should be proof to anyone that’s it’s never too late to begin living!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12877863/bio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Only1Hurley