Newsletter
Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tommy Gunns. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tommy below.
Tommy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.
I will have to go back to Seattle, Washington on a Thanksgiving about the same time. Thanksgiving and the sound of Christmas starting to sprinkle upon us once again for it might the center stone of the risk that got me into the industry of films. and becoming a CEO of my company. I must go back 15 years ago to start this story. Now, let me pave the way for you being lost, confuse, a little slow and a dreamer too. It my indigents to taking a risk in life.
I was a lover of movies. and I watched as many movies as I could. At home, I was watching a movie called a “Lemon Drop Kid” staring Bob Hope. He was a kettle worker in the movie. I saw him ringing the bell and singing in the movie. My eyes got lit up, for what I saw what he did in the movie. Did, I knew a kettle worker just ring the bell next to a kettle. No, I did not know at all. After the movie finish, I went to get a job as a kettle worker. and got hire as a kettle worker on a snowy Thanksgiving. I was place at Rite Aid and it was the 16-spot making money. I dance and sing off key and did everything I could to be like Bob Hope in that movie. I move to 8 stop there and never happen there before. They move me to the south center mall in front JC Pennys. I did everything to try to entertain the people flooding in the door. It came to be the number 2 spot of making money. I knew at that point that I needed to go Hollywood to become an actor just from ring a bell.
Now, this is where the taking the risk comes in place. I knew nothing of becoming an actor and what steps to take. I was thinking I was going to be a big star I got there. My friend brought me a van and gave me 300.00 for gas to get down here to sign up for Central Casting. I only had the money in hand from the kettle job to pay for a room too. I was going to learn from background and no money for acting class too. I just had a direction and a plan. I left everything I knew that I understood in Seattle just from ringing a bell until Christmas Eve.
The risk is scary for you don’t know if you going to make it or not. This is the first lesson of taking the risk. If you are thinking taking a big risk, you only need to break up to small risk at first.
Example: I was thinking what I got into an audition that the door will be shut on my face. It was on my mind at the time. I could never read well or speak well enough. I broke to little risk, and you need to break that down too in any life challenges. I broke it down to the road trip to get Los Angeles. It was little step in the big risk. You are here now, and it was a thought in your head and the dream is real now. You are in a place you think you wanted to get too, so you stand tall on the place that you landed on and take on the challenge. You make every risk small so you could look over it and not overlooking you. In other words, you have to get to that place that you want to build that foundation. You did not risk it all. A small risk only you did to find that place to make more risk.
I was doing background on the third set that I was on. I got let go for it was a three-day shoot for a show. I found another show to get on. It was at a high school reunion dance. I was told to dance with a girl. Everyone I ask said no to me. I was thinking I did dance with a girl that I be trouble. I could not dance at all, and it that made me more scared. I made a decision in my mind on that day that help me taking on risks. I was just going do it my way and what comes from it will be a win or lose situation.
Here is the risk I took and the message I got from it:
No one wanted to dance with me and did not know to dance. I decided to go the middle of the dance floor alone, and I did drunken dance holding my cup high and making a fool out of himself. No one told to do it. I dance like a fool and all eyes are on me the whole-time watching my performance and camera turn on me too. They gave me my first reel from what I did. Plus, the main cast ask me to dance for them too. It was a do or die for me. I took the risk, and it paid off.
Here is an example that I got from it:
I felt my back against the wall and when you feel your back to the wall is a beautiful thing. Only thing you could do is to step out and take the risk for the wall is the stopping point from going backwards. Any step out is a risk. When you take that step, it when you notice your back against is not against the wall no more. Every step after that pulls you away the wall. You should never fear the wall, for you should think it as starting point in life to move forward. How big or small that wall is in your life, for it only a beginning to move forward. Take that risk to get your back off that wall and it keeps you there. If you don’t move off that wall, for it only means you waiting for the right risk to take.
My life moves on as actor and there many up and downs. I took many risks for It kept me pushing myself. I had to put it on the line and take on the risks only try the way I knew. I read my lines a little fast and I could read it good sometimes. If your dream to become an actor or actress. You take on the risk and don’t worry about the right way. Take on the risk if you are at that audition and questioning in your head should read my way. It a risk that could put food on your table, pay your rent, and your way up. Take the risk for I’m still here from it and it did pay off from it. Be you, it’s a small risk that you know well and that you.
When covid hit my acting career stopped and not really had a job in 8 years, for I live off from my acting and did not know what to do. I saw a free writing class at MYU in writing a short film. I took the risk and wrote my first film. The was called “Drop of Blood part one”. and it got made a year after I wrote it. My first film got pick up. It not saying I’m the best writer, but I took on the risk.
Taking this risk once again in my life got me to this finish line on my first film. Now, I’m 51 years old now and just starting my company at Tommy Gunns Productions. I knew from all the risk that I took that I’m okay still and thinking at this age that I’m going into a new beginning is unknown. People could have all the answers in life. There is a lot of smart people out there. I do not know how to make my production company successful. I do know well in life my smarts are from taking on risks, they are like an old friend that being there from the start.
If you a step out in life for risks becomes a daily thing in life. It starts from getting to that point in life as my story began too. It the feeling your back is against the wall and only way is taking that step and risking it all in own your way to makes that difference. It’s stepping into the unknown and not knowing it be a waste of time from that risk. The journey from the start to end is learning from that risk and growing from it.
My company is a media company will take on all the voices to be heard. Everyone has a story to be told. Let me take on the risk for you and make your voice be heard from the smallest people and the biggest production company. I want to be that risk, for I been taking risk all my life to this point of time. My new company will go under my second film Midnight Howler to show what I see a new way of film making experience. I only know how to be me and try new ways from the norm by taking risk. We will do everything to make your dream come true and true to you. As I said: Everyone has a story and let us be your sails on your ocean of dreams.
I never knew the Lemon Drop Kid started this dream, When I close eyes and look back at it all, I could see a man a young man took a risk and another one every step in his life in his life. The point of taking a risk is to know where you going to fall from it and make sure it a soft landing every time.
Tommy, 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?
About me:
I was an actor until Covid hit. The acting did stop for me. I was my only means of money I was getting. I was non-union for at that time non-union did not get paid as much as union actors. I still paid my rent and bills from it. I was happy and pushing myself hard, and I just loved the craft. It made me happy, and it not the drive for money. At the same time, I was in a relationship, and she wanted to get a real job. My acting stopped, and she was thinking that I’m too old become something at this point of my life as an actor. I saw a goggle a free class at MYU writing a short script. I knew I that I wanted to stay in the industry one way or another. I work on my first scrip ever and took on odd jobs to pay my bills. My grammar was poor at best at first. I never knew how to a film about at that time. To write a film or a short story, you only really need a word only that will drive the story. I knew I wanted to write a horror story. I was thinking of words that could drive the story. I said blood to myself. I stop to myself right there and look the blank screen right in front of me. It made scene at that moment. What about blood? How about a drop of blood.? It like saying writing a movie about a person and looking a part of a person in fife or form. Here is an example: What about hand? Are we looking a finger of the hand, lines of the hand and etc.
What I learn on my own is the end is before the start of the story. It like a man finds himself walking out the woods. It the end. Why he enters the woods at the beginning of the story. We go into the middle of story what in the woods holding him back from leaving the woods. Everyone has a story in their life to tell and it why it important for me tell my story. History is written out in stories and let my story be told to move people and make people think in a different way or even looking at things.
I was on the path writing my script “Drop of Blood part one”. It got great review from it from the teacher of the class. What do I with the story is done? I wanted to make my script come to life. I must find actor to play the lead in my story for the first thing I must do. I sent the script to all my actor friends out there. I got great actor name Omari Washington to play the part of James. I gave the script to my agency and see a director would like it too. It about a year out for me trying to find people and trying make my way and not knowing the right way. I got a call from my agency to come in to meet a director name Peter Paul Balser who read my script and like it. I went in like a bullet to my agency. We met and talked over the script. What came out from that meeting that I come up with the money Peter will sign on. It always come down to the money. He wanted to rework the script a little to make actors/actress to read it better. I think you never hold a script to close to your heart. It about the love for the idea for the film and everyone in your film from the script to pre-production and last of all filming day has a piece on them in the film. There are many ideas spread out in the film that everyone has a stake into it. Let their dreams come into your film too. It only good to know your blood flows still in the script and coming to life.
I went into crowdfunding for my first film and made 500.00 dollars only. I did not have the fan base yet. It all about getting your product out that you have in mind. The more eyes you have on it for the better chances to get your budget. Never let it get you down.
Here is an example: You in a boat and your goal to reach a place. You had both oars in your hands and moving in that direction. Your arms getting tired from oaring, and you are barley moving to get to that place. Don’t give up. If you have energy to lift the sail up, you pull them up and hold to the direction of the wind. Now, you just holding the direction of the sail until you hit land.
It what I did, and I got my budget from a producer. My film was on its way. I had little Control over the film for my producer put the money up. At the same time, my ex just left me. I needed money for a film to live on and does pay off right away. I found a job on my birthday. I never knew a job is a good way find how you are. Actor plays many parts and not really know himself. I found that in the job who I’m really as a person. My first film was a product to see could be done. I knew you could do it and the next step will be starting my company. My first film was made right into a film. It about the steps and study how you going to make up the next steps. Every step is a goal and never at the of the landing is the goal. You could grow forever and best to focus on each step how long it takes. It you fall from a step, for you already know how to get back on to the next step. Never stop climbing.
My Art/ creative works.
I’m a writer of horror films. I started off with “Drop of Blood: part one” of the apology series and could be found on my YouTube channel. It was my fist of the series to get ready to be carry on soon. My next film in line is the Midnight Howler. It’s a werewolf movie, and we are going on old school on the werewolf and the feel for the movie. It will be under my company name and after that I have the script ready for part two and three for the series to be shoot. I be looking into other works and films to shoot under my company for everyone. I want to share your stories to the world and never a bad story. It your story to be told and there only one of you.
My Inspirations:
Is everyone around me. As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise baby. It goes for the same as a film maker. It the one job everything is against you. It why it important to have people around you that believe in your dreams and same for them. We do need each other to inspire and help us on the way.
My focus:
I always said; if you have minutes a day to get something done or it could be an hour. Make sure put your time to that time and get what you needed to do in that time fame. If the time runs out, STOP. We see the big picture and could feel like you could never get it done. I tell people if you could write a page write, or an action shoot if time is against you. Add to it every day to grow. I work at a job and after work every day I sent little on my production stuff. The time is flying by fast when I get home from work and bedtime time is around the corner. I put an hour in a day. I wish I could do more every time. I set my goal to the calls and emails and etc. It could be one thing done, and I could quite for the night. It all about taking that step every day to make that goal. With the little things, they do add up to the big things being done. It how I stay focus for never looking at the big picture just finding the little pieces.
My Mission:
This year I started my film company under Tommy Gunns Productions. It or mission to inspire dreams, raising the voices up from unspoken people want to tell their tale or stories for us to bring to life. It from smallest soul to the biggest production out there. I been told that I needed help on my writing and so on. There are lots of people like to pop the dream bubble out there, and they think they have the right way to do it. Everyone has a story and history comes from that written word. I learn that dreams keep the hope alive, and I’m here to let you know with my production company will keep your dream alive too. it not us dreaming your goal. We are just the driver to get you there. From short film, features, shows, music video, webisodes and etc. We bring in all the keys’ players for you to make it come true for you in your way. We want everyone that we bring in is best fit for you and could your vision. Listen to what you have to say from start to finish. If you have a budget already or need a plan to put forward for you. We have time in life, and you do not have time in life to get that place. We will fill that gap for you.
We work with other companies too and do not have it for you. We will know someone that has it like these great companies.
Bagh films
Living and loving Life Productions
We will be making film, show, music video in this production company, I hope you our vision and hope come on-board to share your vision too. On that note, we would love to hear your story from the big to the small, dreamers to the dream catchers, Studios, to bring your life stories, and last of all the lost and silent voices to be heard.
I work with a great producer Kevin Mathew Kneeling, and he does lot of great work is being by him on my film. I want to share his name with you all. Please check him out on IMDB. He has a great vision that stands out and a passion goes with it.
I work with a great artist does my movie posters, for he a tattoo artist and have a very skill hand to draw up anything just like the old days. His name is Christopher Roque at @tat2_chris and under the name of tattoo Chris. We try to bring old school posters done by a tattoo artist. It one way we try to something new as a poster special to you.
I been a long road for me to this point for it a beautiful curse. I never been home when I came to Hollywood. I never took a vacation just trying to live in a dream. The bubble never pop. It still there and now I’m 51 years old starting a company. I could tell you this I never left it behind me, for I so know I will grow and keep growing. If we stay in that one place, the sun will hit us, and it will make us grow. I still feel that light hitting me and not letting me go. What I learn being in that place for all this time. It going to bring a new light to Tommy Gunns Productions, and it will shine for you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn listen to people and put trust in yourself. In this industry. Let say you had a script idea, and you wrote it. You can’t share it to everyone for it might a great idea for them to make it big that they did not came up with. Keep your script to yourself and pick who you want to show the script too. You have to trust in your story and in your yourself first and don’t let them put you the wrong direction. You need to unlearn to put your truth in other to your project. You have to trust in yourself and take control. Everyone promises to help and watch from the sidelines. It means they have control of your product. It good to unlearn to trust in everyone. and start trusting your path.
I wrote a script and handed it off to someone to go over it. He did like something in it and other thing he chances in the script. He came around and put his name on the script as writer. It an old script. He too my idea and use it has ideal. It takes three chances to a script to make it their script. You got to trust in your work and unlearn to trust everyone has the same ideal as yours.
Last of all, I want to say to you. If you find yourself in a dark place and lost, the steps you take moving forward will lead you somewhere. Don’t think you are lost and in a dark place for your feet meant to move forward in place like this.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think the rewards come from making people think and look at things differently after watching one of our movies. Hoping they could see a new viewpoint with a smile. My first film Drop of Blood was a knock the door to say we are here to stay. We will carry out the series to bring to smiles and thinkers out of it. Now, we are working on Midnight Howler and the first as a little person as a werewolf and the way we put on the screen. What is done is done. My rewards to get a people to they have stories too. What comes out from Tommy Gunns Productions and hoping they get inspire and share to the world what to become. I don’t ask mush back from my movies and shows for this is my rewards.
Thank you.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Omari Washington at my red carpet
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
here.
