We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Oswald Hunter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Oswald below.
Oswald, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline has grown significantly since I discovered a purpose that brings me deep fulfillment. This discovery happened unexpectedly during a challenging period in my life when everything seemed to be falling apart. Seeking joy and a sense of normalcy, I turned to acting—an area I had always been passionate about. I began attending acting classes and participating in casting platforms, initially hoping to find a hobby. However, from the moment I started, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and safety, despite the initial fear of performing in front of others. This passion ignited a determination within me, making it clear that I wanted to pursue acting professionally.
In addition to my passion for acting, my 12.5 years of experience in healthcare, particularly working with individuals on the autism spectrum, have been instrumental in building my self-discipline. This role required strict routines, meticulous administration, and consistent interaction to ensure the well-being and quality of life for those I cared for. Unlike my previous experience in high-risk security, where discipline was more about following orders, healthcare taught me the value of self-discipline through understanding its direct impact on others’ lives. This foundation has reinforced my ability to stay committed and organized in all my endeavors.
Throughout my journey, there have been moments when I felt like giving up and returning to a more stable career. However, my unwavering passion for acting and the realization that perseverance leads to progress have kept me moving forward. Embracing the philosophy of ‘never quitting, never losing,’ I’ve learned to develop resilience and maintain a positive mindset even in the face of numerous rejections. Additionally, a piece of advice from a famous actor—encouraging me not to make acting my sole purpose and to cultivate other interests—played a key role in my ability to balance my passion with other aspects of life. This guidance inspired me to explore and engage in activities like writing, designing products, and outdoor pursuits. These diverse interests not only provide me with joy and fulfillment but also strengthen my self-discipline by ensuring that my passion for acting remains sustainable and harmoniously integrated with other meaningful endeavors.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’d love to share my journey and what I’m currently focused on professionally. My story is a blend of passion, resilience, and dedication. After spending over a decade in healthcare, specializing in care for individuals on the autism spectrum, I discovered my true calling in acting. This transition was born out of a challenging period in my life where I sought fulfillment and joy, leading me to discover acting as a profound source of personal satisfaction and purpose.
Professionally, I am pursuing a career in acting, participating in various casting platforms and continuously honing my craft through acting classes. What excites me most about acting is the ability to connect with diverse audiences and bring stories to life, creating meaningful experiences both for myself and those I perform for. The adrenaline of performing and the satisfaction of delivering a compelling performance are incredibly rewarding and keep me motivated.
In addition to acting, I am the founder of Offstage Originals (offstageoriginals.com), a platform dedicated to fostering creativity and providing original content that resonates with audiences. Through Offstage Originals, I engage in creative endeavors such product design.
My writing has been published under the titles “Fate or Faith” and “Poppy’s Adventure,” allowing me to explore storytelling from different angles and reach a broader audience.
Those initiatives not only showcases my versatility but also reinforces my commitment.
Looking ahead, my future goals are centered around becoming an established actor. I am dedicated to working on this every day, embracing the slow but steady process of growth. I’ve been fortunate to secure diverse roles that I’m very proud of, which indicates that I am progressing toward my aspirations. Beyond participating in productions by other companies, I am now focused on organizing the production of a feature film that I have written. This project represents a significant step in my career, allowing me to blend my passion for acting with my skills in storytelling and production.
A personal philosophy that drives me is the belief in dedication and consistency. I firmly believe that without these two qualities, goals remain mere dreams. Importantly, I don’t think people are born with unwavering dedication and consistency; these traits are teachable and manageable when approached step-by-step and when one learns to forgive themselves quickly for mistakes. This mindset has been crucial in my journey, helping me stay resilient and focused despite the inevitable challenges and setbacks.
Overall, my focus is on building a sustainable and impactful career in the arts while leveraging my background in healthcare to bring empathy and depth to my performances. I believe that blending these experiences enriches my work and allows me to contribute uniquely to the artistic community. Moving forward, I’m excited about upcoming opportunities to expand my acting repertoire, collaborate with other creatives, and continue developing projects that resonate with audiences. Specifically, the production of my feature film represents a significant expansion of my creative efforts, and I look forward to sharing more about it as it progresses.
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?
Looking back, there are three main qualities that have really shaped my journey: being stubborn, staying humble without downplaying myself, and respecting everyone around me. Each of these has been crucial in both my personal and professional growth.
1. Being Stubborn: I truly believe that a bit of stubbornness is key to achieving your goals. Throughout my journey, I’ve faced a lot of opinions from others—some helpful, some not so much. If I let those opinions steer my decisions too much, I wouldn’t be following my own path. Being stubborn has helped me keep pushing forward and think critically about the advice I receive. It’s important to listen to others but not just follow their ideas blindly. No matter how scary it might seem, creating your own path allows you to shape it according to what you really want. My advice to those just starting out is to stay true to your vision and keep going, even when things get tough.
2. Staying Humble Without Being Modest: Another quality I work hard to maintain is being humble without selling myself short. Maya Angelou once said something that really stuck with me: there’s a big difference between being humble and not valuing yourself. To succeed, especially in a competitive field like acting, you need to believe in yourself. But it’s important not to become arrogant or think that everyone is solely focused on you. It’s a delicate balance, and sometimes it’s easy to slip into either side. My advice is to have confidence in your abilities while staying open to learning and growing. Embrace your strengths, recognize your weaknesses, and always strive to improve without letting your ego get in the way.
3. Respecting Everyone: Lastly, treating everyone with respect has been foundational for me. Whether you’re talking to a janitor or a CEO, everyone deserves the same level of respect and kindness. This approach has helped me build positive relationships and create a supportive network. For those just starting out, my advice is to always treat people with dignity, no matter their role. It not only reflects well on you but also helps build trust and strong professional connections.
Advice for Those Early in Their Journey: If you’re just beginning your professional path, developing these qualities can really set you up for success:
Embrace Your Stubbornness: Set clear goals and stay committed to them, even when you face setbacks. Learn to differentiate between helpful feedback and opinions that don’t align with your vision.
Balance Humility and Confidence: Take time to understand your strengths and areas where you can improve. Seek feedback from trusted mentors and be open to learning without undervaluing yourself.
Show Respect to Everyone: Treat everyone you meet with kindness and respect, regardless of their position. This attitude will help you build a strong and supportive network.
In summary, being stubborn helps you stay on track, humility keeps you open to growth, and respect builds meaningful connections. By developing these qualities, you can navigate your journey with integrity, resilience, and a strong sense of self.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Absolutely, like anyone pursuing their passion, I encounter a few challenges along the way. Honestly, there’s always more than one, and they’re all interconnected, so it’s hard to single out one as the biggest.
On the practical side, one of my main challenges is securing funding for my feature film. Creating something meaningful requires not just creativity but also financial backing, which can be tough to navigate. Additionally, developing a sustainable business model for Offstage Originals is another ongoing task. Ensuring that the business can grow while maintaining its core values is something I’m constantly working on. And of course, finding the right balance between my professional commitments and personal life is crucial—something my wife greatly appreciates! (She’s my biggest cheerleader, and keeping her happy definitely adds a bit of light-hearted motivation to my day.)
To tackle these practical challenges, I’ve found that staying organized is key. I personally rely on checklists, crossing off tasks as I complete them and prioritizing them by importance. If something doesn’t get done today, it’s on the list for tomorrow. It’s all about maintaining that balance between hard work and taking the necessary time to rest. After all, working hard is important, but getting adequate rest is just as crucial for long-term success and well-being.
On the emotional side, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with the uncertainty of ‘what’s next?’ This is something I believe many actors face at some point in their careers. Landing a role one day doesn’t guarantee another part the next, and that can create a lot of anxiety. My approach to this is to stay present and handle each opportunity as it comes. I trust in my ability to navigate whatever comes my way, which helps reduce stress. Worrying about future roles only drains energy that I could better spend on current projects.
To manage this, I make sure to apply for roles in advance and continuously seek out parts that align with the projects I’m working on. It’s about staying proactive and keeping the momentum going. This mindset allows me to stay motivated and handle setbacks constructively. Instead of stressing about the unknown, I focus on what I can control today, which not only keeps me grounded but also ensures that I’m always moving forward.
In summary, balancing the practical aspects of funding and business growth with the emotional challenges of an uncertain acting career requires a structured yet flexible approach. Staying organized, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and adopting a resilient mindset are all strategies that help me navigate these challenges effectively. And of course, having the support of my loved ones makes the journey a lot more enjoyable!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oswaldhunter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamoswaldhunter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamoswaldhunter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/OswaldHunter
- Other: https://www.offstageoriginals.com
Image Credits
Manny Fontanilla
Natalia Ciesielska – “The Final Goodbye”
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