We were lucky to catch up with Oscar Torre recently and have shared our conversation below.
Oscar, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Pablo Picasso famously said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” I think that is the key, trying to remain a child in the way you are open to everything around you. Living with a a sense of wonderment. I always keep a notebook with me and I’m constantly taking notes or doing little sketches of something I saw that caught my attention that I might use for a character or story. If I hear someone say something interesting, I’ll write it down. Any story idea that might come up, I write it down. I don’t trust my brain to be as pure as when the idea arose, if I just try to remember it. For me, creativity is a way of life. Everything around us is creativity, from nature to the chair we sit on, no two are exactly alike. When I’m tuned into this, it’s quite an exciting way to live and I feel closer to my creator.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Oscar Torre. I’m an actor, director and writer, best known for my acting work as The chief of the Mexican police in The Hangover 3 and as Vinny Malone in Tyler Perry’s hit series, The Haves and The Have Nots, I can currently be seen in the Starz network series Gaslit, opposite Julia Roberts and Sean Penn.
Recently, the feature film “A Summer Night,” which I wrote and directed, had its world premiere at the Love & Hope International Film Festival in Barcelona. The film stars my wife, Chuti Tiu (Yellowstone, Pretty Rosebud), who has won best actress at both Barcelona and the Hollywood Florida Film Festival for her portrayal of Summer, a recovering alcoholic exotic dancer during COVID. The film was recently awarded best feature at the Billy The Kid Film Festival in Hico, Texas. I’m excited to be showing “A Summer Night” at film festivals and seeing how audiences are embracing the movie. This is my second feature film as a director. My first film, Pretty Rosebud can currently be seen in many streaming platforms.
I’m also thrilled about the film, “Final Vow.” I play one of the lead roles alongside Christina Urias. The film was directed by Ruben Islas. Final Vow is about child trafficking and it has done very well at film festivals.
Additionally, I star alongside Danny Pino (Mayans) in the film “Union de Reyes” that premiered this past year at HollyShorts Film Festival. Danny also wrote and directed the film. This film is close to my heart because it’s about a Cuban family. My parents immigrated from Cuba at the beginning of the revolution. I’m currently starring in a film that deals with serial killers, directed by Shivaan Makker, a talented young filmmaker that I’m thrilled to be working with. I can’t say much about this film because we are still filming but it’s going to be an incredible ride.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d have to say perseverance, discipline and faith. To be able to succeed as an actor, you have to have an attitude that this is a marathon and not a race. Regardless of how successful you are, you have to have the discipline to show up every day and work on both your craft and the business side of your career. Just as important as perseverance and discipline is faith. Know that you have this dream for a reason and when things get tough, know that this too is part of this journey and as a storyteller everything that happens to you can be put into your roles. I’d like to add, also have faith in your God or your Higher Power. Know that you are being taken care of, despite any challenge you might be facing. Notice that I did not say talent. Talent is nice to have but I’ve seen many talented people quit because they lacked these things I’ve mentioned above. I’ve also seem much less talented people succeed because they kept showing up and did not quit.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The list is long, but I’ll mention the books that I always go back to. First of all, the Bible, especially Psalm 91. This Psalm is one that I often read when feeling afraid and insecure. It reminds me that I’m not alone and I’m protected. The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron. This book was key in deciding to pursue acting as a career. It has a quote that says, “Jump and the net will appear,” so I jumped! Two of my favorite books on acting are “Being & Doing” by Eric Morris and “The Power of The Actor” by Ivanna Chubbuck. I am currently reading a fantastic book by Rick Rubin, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being.” Last but not least, “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne. This book is all about the importance of living with gratitude and focusing on the good. I highly recommend all these books that have been influential in my life and career.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.imdb.me/oscartorre
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscartorreactor/
- Other: My acting Demo-Reel: https://vimeo.com/722793692 https://www.instagram.com/asummernightmovie/
Image Credits
Paul Alvarez Jr.
