We were lucky to catch up with Bill Hoversten recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bill, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
My parents encouraged learning – and early on I read and wrote at an advanced level.
But when I moved to Boston after college I discovered a love for the PERFORMING ARTS – especially acting. I plunged into acting, dance and singing classes, play readings, two seasons of summer stock, theater, radio, television, and film.
After moving to Los Angeles, I widened my LIVE PERFORMANCE experience to include radio news and live red-carpet hosting. In addition, I returned to my WRITING roots and expanded to new formats: “police beat” news reporting for a wire service, newspaper and magazine feature stories, and screenwriting.
More recently, in addition to returning to acting on stage and on screen, I’ve done WRITING for an audio series and two web series, for book trailers, and for my own standup comedy routines. And I do VOICEOVERS. I’ve been excited about learning and expressing myself in each new format I encounter!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As you may have picked up, I just love telling stories – my own and others’ – through writing and performance!
Now here’s another love of mine: TEACHING! As a SUBSTITUTE teacher I’ve worked with kids from elementary through high school. As a CHESS teacher I’ve taught kids from ages 4 to 87. And as a teacher of IMPROV & CREATIVITY at the nonprofit Homeboy Industries’ halfway house, I’ve helped men and women – former prisoners and gang members – expand their horizons.
My mission in all my work (acting, writing, producing, teaching) is to tell stories that entertain, inspire, and bring us together.
You can see some of the breadth of my work here: http://billhoversten.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Openness – to new ideas, people, and ways of doing things. Every day can be an adventure!
2) Flexibility – to go around, under, or over if you can’t go through. Often it’s a matter of timing or of readjusting yourself.
3) Optimism – knowing there is are no limits to opportunities, if you are willing to see them.
These qualities will help you achieve your goals. But what kinds of goals should you shoot for? Do you have a “mission statement?” That would be your purpose, based on your values.
So ask yourself: What are things I’m good at and enjoy doing, which contribute something positive to the world around me?
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I would love to collaborate with upbeat, creative people. Do you have an idea that needs to be shared with the world?
There are myriad stories waiting to be told in any number of formats, and I appreciate others who want to uncover old stories and create new ones.
You may connect with me through Instagram: @billhoversten
Contact Info:
- Website: http://billhoversten.com
- Instagram: @billhoversten
- Facebook: Bill Hoversten
- Linkedin: Bill Hoversten
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@flashfilms
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