Actor and filmmaker Tyler Gallant chatted about his future projects, the digital age, and his career in the entertainment business.
What inspires you each day as an actor and filmmaker?
I have been in love with acting and filmmaking since I was seven years old. Ever since I was young, I always loved letting my imagination run wild with creating characters and telling stories that move me and hopefully move others.
I hope that the movies and performances I do are entertaining and maybe moving to audiences. At the end of the day, we are doing it for the audience.
Honestly, every time I get to act, it makes me feel like I’m a little boy again playing pretend.
How was your experience doing the film “Eyes in the Trees”?
I had a really great time working on “Eyes in the Trees.” I remember as a kid I watched “The Island of Dr. Moreau” and I thought it was such a cool idea. Then, to come full circle years later and to be in the remake of it was really cool.
I have also never been to Thailand before so that was such an amazing experience to get to work there and experience the beautiful culture of Thailand.
We had a truly amazing cast and crew that were also wonderful. It is definitely an experience I will never forget.
What was it like working with Natalie Burn and Timothy Woodward Jr.?
It was so wonderful working with Natalie and Tim, they are not only very talented artists, but they are good people and good friends.
I always feel so lucky when I get to work and create with friends. I hope we get to work together on many more projects to come.
How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
Streaming and the digital age have definitely changed the film industry, especially the way films are distributed and marketed. There have been so many changes over the last few years.
Also, social media marketing for films has become such a huge part of advertising. I have seen the use of social media advertising really making a difference in a films success.
However, with the emergence of streaming It all, but did away with video stores and it definitely has hurt movie theaters.
For me though, I do miss Blockbuster and other video rental stores and I really love going to the movie theater. I hope that is not going to be the next thing that disappears.
What is your advice for young and aspiring actors and filmmakers?
My advice would be to learn as much as you can, go to seminars and take classes with people that have great experience. Make your own content, I feel hands-on experience you cannot substitute.
Also, it is so important to get to know other professionals in your business and always keep an open mind to learn. There are many ways to do things, especially in the creative space. We never stop learning.
If it’s one thing I’ve learned no one has ever completely figured it all out so it’s important to keep learning and evolving as an artist and creator.
Finally, it is important to always be grateful and kind.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
I’ve had so many people over the years that have been very kind and generous in not only teaching me, but helping me become a better and more successful actor, as well as a better business man in this business.
Every project I have done I have learned something on and every person I have met, I have learned something from. There are a lot of ups and downs in this business, but I feel it’s important to go through it, it prepares you.
Ever since I started acting I always knew I wanted to be a character actor, interesting characters have always been exciting to me ever since I was a kid.
Watching actors like Gary Oldman, Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, and Tom Hardy are really inspiring to me because they were leading men that gravitate towards playing characters not just the leading man.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success means to me personally is being able to do what you love and making a living at it. I feel like if you can wake up every day and feel grateful and blessed about what you do then I feel like you are winning.
I am so grateful every time I get the call to work on a project and play a character.
What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
First off, I want to tell all my fans and supporters, Thank you. I learned early on in my career that the spectator ultimately is who pays your salary.
When the spectators love you is when you become a star. So it’s important to remember this is for them and to never lose sight of that.
To learn more about actor and filmmaker Tyler Gallant, follow him on Instagram, and check out his IMDb page.
