We recently connected with Tommy Delbarrio and have shared our conversation below.
Tommy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
You know that moment, when your mind conjures up an idea so awesome, that you start attacking it right then and there, without skipping a beat? That moment, for me, was my first short film: DOWNBAD JONES. I was sitting at a Halloween party, sans costume, when I came up with a story. The story was about a newbie hitman who, after having accidentally killed his mark, calls upon his senior partner for help. However, unbeknownst to the noob, the partner has been ordered to kill him for his slip up. I was so excited I started typing up the script in the middle of that party. “You want a shot?”
“No.”
“How about a dance?”
“Nu-uh.”
After The Monster Mash played for the eleventh time, I had myself a screenplay. I sent it to my acting classmate and range brother, Ernesto Rey, who’s youthful demeanor at the time was perfect for the newbie. I decided to play the senior. Now, prior to this, I had never made a film before so I was going into this blindly. I didn’t even have a “proper” camera. People are always amazed to learn that I shot this on an old iPhone X, which I had in my pocket when I fell into my fathers pool while trying to clean it. Oy vey. We propped that smartphone up on a tripod and shot the film one weekend at, my childhood friend, Erik Alfonso’s house (He actually makes an appearance as both a mob boss and a dead body in the film). I was thrilled that we had finished so quickly. Not bad for a first time actor/director, right? Wrong! I uploaded all the footage onto my laptop and after putting together the first edit, I came to a realization: This film was a mess. The lighting was all over the place, the composition was flat and some of the dialogue was inaudible. I could go on and on. At that moment, I felt a bit discouraged. I guess making films wasn’t as easy as I initially thought it’d be. I could’ve gave up, but that’s not how I’m built, y’now? I texted the boys and told them were reshooting this thing and we’re going to make it good. They were so on board and to this day I love them to death for it. See, at the end of it all, this film helped me level up two attributes: Trust and patience. Trust, not only in the people creating with you, but in the process. Know that if you show up for yourself consistently, you’ll get to where you want to be. Patience, because without it, you won’t be able to endure long enough to reach the other side. I used both for the next couple months as the boys and I learned how to compose a shot, record sound… all in all, as we learned how to make a film.
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 honestly don’t know what to call myself other than my name, Tommy Delbarrio. See, my world doesn’t have any rigid lines that I have to keep the colors in. I create whatever I’m fascinated by at the time. Last week I was working on a song, but this week, as I write this, I’m shooting a film. I don’t really have any attachments to labels such as “musician” or “actor”. And I keep the same energy with my work. Once it’s in the ether, it’s yours. Feel free to dissect or attach whatever meaning you see fit to it. I’m here to inspire.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect about being an artist is inspiring others to be themselves. I’ve had people come up and tell me that my film inspired them to shoot their own and it feels so awesome. I’ve always valued artists, that I looked up to, who made me feel that same way, who made me feel like I can fly. So, if I can do that for someone in this world, that, to me, would be very rewarding.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
We can embrace the idea that being an artist is an important profession. I’m tired of this stigma that artists are selfish people and they don’t contribute because they don’t wear a suit and tie. I’m well aware of my bias, however, without music, film, FOOD, there would literally be no spice to life. Culture pushes civilization forward, and it is artists, that influence that culture. So with that being said, let the weird kids be weird, man.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommydelbarrio/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyuTOZIETNB54DDY9U2Slw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zu8tXH6I3jYhayjVUVD4X?si=I8-_TA-XT6axzhk_VTDkfA https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tommy-del-barrio/1437530457