We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Schmidt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Steven, appreciate you 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.
Taking risks has been a fundamental part of my journey, both personally and professionally. Moving from Michigan to New York City, and then to Los Angeles, were significant risks that involved stepping into the unknown, embracing new communities, and navigating the complexities of the acting world in these vibrant but competitive cities. Each move was a leap of faith, driven by my passion for acting and a belief in the possibilities that lay ahead.
Starting Reelarc was another venture into uncertain territory. Launching a new business, especially one aimed at innovating within the well-established norms of the acting industry, came with its own set of challenges and uncertainties. The risk was not just financial but deeply personal, betting on the idea that we could genuinely make a difference in actors’ careers by providing them with the tools and support to showcase their unique talents.
But risk-taking is not unique to my story alone; it’s intrinsic to the nature of acting. Actors take risks every day, from the moment they decide to pursue acting as a career. They put themselves out there, auditioning for roles with no guarantee of success, facing rejection, and yet still showing up to give their all. They invest in their training, headshots, reels, and marketing themselves, often with no immediate return in sight. Every performance is a risk, a chance to be vulnerable and authentic in front of an audience or camera, never quite knowing how it will be received.
What connects my experiences with those of actors at large is the underlying belief in the value of what we’re doing. The risk is worth it because of the profound human need to tell stories, to connect with others through performance, and to explore the depths of what it means to be human. The risks we take, whether moving cities, starting businesses, or stepping onto the stage, are ultimately about reaching for something greater: a meaningful career, a chance to impact others, and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment.
In embracing risk, we also embrace the possibility of failure. But it’s precisely in those moments of uncertainty and vulnerability that growth happens. We learn about resilience, adaptability, and the strength of our convictions. For me, the journey has reaffirmed that taking risks is essential to achieving anything of real value, especially in the arts. And for actors, the daily act of risking rejection and heartache for the love of their craft is a testament to their dedication and courage.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m originally from Michigan, a place far removed from the glitz of Hollywood or the storied stages of New York City. My own acting aspirations led me from the familiar streets of my hometown to the bustling, unpredictable life of NYC, and eventually to Los Angeles. This journey wasn’t just a series of moves; it was a deep dive into the realities of the acting world.
In New York, I encountered firsthand the hurdles actors face: the need for authenticity in an industry that often values typecasting, the transition from stage to screen that isn’t as seamless as some might hope, and the daunting task of assembling a professional portfolio without guidance. These challenges inspired the creation of Reelarc.
Reelarc isn’t about revolutionizing the acting world overnight. It’s a straightforward service aiming to make the initial steps—like getting high-quality headshots, creating a reel, and making industry connections—a little easier for actors. We’ve had some successes, helping actors secure roles and representation, which has been incredibly rewarding.
Having recently moved to LA, I see a new phase for both my journey and Reelarc’s. We’re exploring ways to use technology, like virtual production, and create content that directly leads to jobs for actors. The goal has always been simple: to help actors focus more on their careers and less on the barriers to entry.
This isn’t about claiming to have all the answers or being the sole beacon for actors everywhere. It’s about sharing what I’ve learned, the good and the bad, to hopefully make someone else’s path a bit smoother.
From Michigan to LA, my path has been anything but direct. But it’s led to the creation of something I hope can genuinely support actors like me, looking for their break in an industry we all love.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
In hindsight, one pivotal resource I wish had been on my radar from the start is the concept of branding, particularly as it relates to human nature and authenticity. Early on, like many actors, I was primarily focused on the craft of performance itself—honing skills, perfecting techniques, and mastering roles. While these aspects are undeniably crucial, my perspective shifted dramatically when I began to grasp the significance of branding in an actor’s career.
Branding, in this context, isn’t about marketing strategies or commercial appeal; it’s about understanding and embracing one’s unique identity and how that translates to authenticity on stage or screen. It’s a nuanced concept that encompasses not just the roles you choose but how you present yourself, interact with others, and connect with audiences. This understanding would have allowed me to focus more on being genuine, rather than just on performing.
Authenticity, I’ve learned, is what truly resonates with people. It’s what directors look for in auditions, what audiences remember after a performance, and what differentiates good actors from truly great ones. This realization came to me later in my career, but it has since been a cornerstone of my approach to acting and the philosophy behind Reelarc. We emphasize to actors the importance of knowing themselves, their unique qualities, and how these can be their greatest assets.
Looking back, if I had been introduced to these concepts earlier, my approach to my career and how I navigated the industry would have been different—less about conforming to expectations and more about showcasing my authentic self. It’s a lesson I now share eagerly with others, hoping to illuminate their path with insights that took me years to uncover.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
One aspect of the creative journey that might elude those outside the artistic world is the instinctive drive to storify everything around us. As an artist, I’ve always seen life through a lens of themes, metaphors, and narratives, continuously seeking the deeper meanings and connections in everyday experiences. This approach is not merely a professional habit but a fundamental way of engaging with the world. It allows us to explore and elevate the human experience, turning the mundane into the profound and the personal into the universal.
To those not accustomed to thinking this way, the emphasis on metaphor over the literal can seem perplexing, even alienating. For example, when discussing events or ideas, I might instinctively look for underlying themes or lessons, much like how a writer seeks the story within the story. This can lead to rich, layered conversations, but it can also create a disconnect with individuals who prefer to see things in more straightforward, practical terms.
This difference in perspective is not about one approach being superior to the other; rather, it highlights the diverse ways humans interpret and make sense of the world around them. For creatives, finding the metaphor in the literal is a way to understand life more deeply, to question, to empathize, and ultimately, to connect with others on a profound level. Art, in its best form, serves as a bridge between the tangible and the abstract, inviting everyone to see beyond the surface.
Understanding this creative inclination to seek and communicate deeper meanings can help non-creatives appreciate the intent and value behind artistic expressions. It’s not just about creating art for art’s sake but about offering new ways of seeing and understanding our shared human experience. Whether it’s through a performance, a piece of writing, or a visual artwork, the goal is to enrich our perception of life and perhaps offer a moment of revelation or empathy that transcends the ordinary.
So, for those who might struggle to see the world through a creative’s eyes, I invite you to consider the stories and metaphors surrounding you. In doing so, you may discover new insights into your experiences and a greater appreciation for the nuanced ways artists strive to communicate and elevate the essence of what it means to be human.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reelarc.com
- Instagram: @stevenwreelarc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/REELARC-100063565821814/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-c-schmidt/
- Twitter: @StevenS10007
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reelarc
- Other: https://www.reelarcrundown.com/
Image Credits
Nora Hyde (promo pics of me [and my business partner Guy]) I took the other pics/screenshots