We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Timothy Schramm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Timothy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have worked on is LVnTheLife’s “LView”, an IGTV show on Instagram @lvnthelife in which I single-handedly build 117k followers for interviewing multidisciplinary and disabled artists of Texas providing them exposure in hopes they are recognized for their talents and potentials. LVnTheLife’s “LView” wants to be an apparent social media show, highlighting the state of Texas and its ability to be on the same plane of professionalism and significance as New York City and Hollywood. Today, Social Media gives the “little voice” to reach a broader range of audiences than never before due to its popularity, easy access, instant connection, capacity to build traffic for individual businesses, and a wide range of potential growth in impacting and changing views of the world.

I was born in Austin, TX with a learning disability and epileptic disorder. Growing up I lacked social skills and discovered AOL Instant messenger as a way to connect with other people without being fully present. I was an awkward kid and did not do well in speech, but I wanted to be better. I pursued acting, taking on theatre and speech classes while my mother constantly sought work for me through talent agencies. Unfortunately, she found herself the target of scams leading her to spend thousands of dollars. In addition, many productions saw me as a handicap and each rejection led me to believe that because of my disability I would never have a chance to reach my potential as an artist.

I eventually became a talent scout in Las Vegas and Los Angeles which gave me an insight to the barriers of access in a commodity-based entertainment model. However, in doing so I kept my disability confidential while rejecting talents for the same reason I was rejected when I was a child. However, being a talent agent did give me the opportunity to experience acting for Universal Models and Actors, Kids In Media, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Bonanza Productions Inc., NBC, Atmosphere Casting, MTV, 21st Century Fox, and Coca-Cola. After some time, I felt that I was covering up my true self while denying others the experience they deserved. I left the agencies and in 2008 founded LVnTheLife, viewed as “Livin’ the life” or “LV and the life”, as a way to give the disabled a voice that helps them surpass the gatekeepers in the arts that would not otherwise consider their artistic potential.

Later, I discovered my ability in software analytics as I built an audience through MySpace and later on YouTube. I saw the potential of online engagement early on and after I had left the agencies I went to Austin Community College to gain more knowledge in media and brand development. Simultaneously, I worked for ACC as a social media marketer in Academic Coaching gaining more experience. Throughout my college years, I formulated a way to bring exposure for the disabled I had been eagerly searching for through social media. In 2017, I began an Instagram page for LVnTheLife and within two years had single-handedly built 117k followers and became known as an Instagram Influencer of Austin.

LVnTheLife became a Public Benefits Corporation in 2019 providing marketing and advertising services with the purpose of giving worldwide exposure to the disabled, provide for the helpless, and empower the local artistic talent through digital engagement. In concurrence, I created “LView” an Instagram IGTV series interviewing multi-disciplinary and disabled artists of Texas with filmmaker/ex-dancer Lena Konetchy to fulfill the mission of LVnTheLife. In the past, I had participated with programs such as Special Olympics and although enjoyed it I felt that such programs only separated the disabled further from the world by honoring only the disabled. In addition, most programs that promote disabled artists are not run by disabled individuals nor do these programs push inclusivity of the disabled within a greater community. “LView” acknowledges that voices of the disabled artist are too often overlooked and are rarely recognized in society and “LView” merges and intertwines the voices of the disabled with the norm. “LView” is uniquely designed to give voice and exposure for the disabled and the standard typical artist in order to present them on par with 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

I am an entertainer, talent scout, and social media builder. I also create content for social media plus I am the host of LVnTheLife’s “LView”! I founded LVnTheLife with Lena Konetchy as a Public Benefits Corporation with the mission of giving worldwide exposure to the disabled, provide for the helpless, and empower the local artistic community through digital engagement! I am so proud to have the opportunity to give voice to the artistic disabled, like myself, and all other artists in order for the artistic community to broaden the view of artistic potential in the state of Texas.

LVnTheLife provides services in advertising, marketing, editing, videography, photography, content, and social media development for social media platforms: Instagram and TikTok to promote Texas businesses in order to improve their presence and attract new customers while fulfilling our mission in providing digital exposure for the disabled and local artistic talent. Without local business we are unable to do our show! Thank you for those who have supported over the years. We can also edit, video, and take photos of product, an event, or interview sessions.

I am also working hard on building a TikTok page, right now at 21k followers! I enjoy doing fun skits and I like to use my knowledge in theatre and the Arts to make it as creative as possible. Feel free to reach out and give some ideas for the next skit! We go live on the page for “LView” and ya’ll should check out our artists that join us in our movement.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Donate, give, go see their shows, be a part of their artistic life! They work sooo hard because they believe in society, they believe in life, and believe it or not they believe in you! Just a day or two out of every month makes such a big difference in their every-day of learning, growing, and trying to make life a better place. After all, that is what Art is for, a place to escape the every-day monotonous cycle. And be inspired! Perhaps you are an Artist too! Take a class from your favorite artist! Show how you are inspired by them by inspiring yourself. Life is full of inspirations on the daily, you can embrace it or let it pass you by.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I had left the talent agencies I felt like I was moving backwards. I went back to school when I returned from Las Vegas and Los Angeles area. My family thought I was making a mistake. I contemplated on this for a while, was I making a mistake? After all, life was good, money was good, and I was working on Hollywood stages! But, I learned quickly that our world needed more work, it wasn’t done, even with all the opportunities I was given I had to hide a piece of myself to receive it. Denying yourself is something you cannot live forever with. I learned that the disabled was making a difference across areas but not significantly enough in the Arts. I also wanted to be myself, be open to the fact that I have a disability and that it is ok and that I can still do what I love. Sometimes, I look back fondly on the times I worked on set in “Couples Retreat” and “Alvin and The Chipmunks 2” knowing that I may not experience this again until changes takes place within the industry. It is my life’s mission now, to make known that our world needs to embrace more individuality and unique aspects of Artistic potential. I learned that sometimes going backwards is moving forwards in one’s purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lvnthelife.com
• Instagram: lnvthelife
• Facebook: lvnthelife
• Twitter: lvnthelife
• Youtube: lvnthelife
• Other: TikTok: lvnthelife Gettr: lvnthelife

Image Credits
LVnTheLife, PBC