Meet Tim O’Leary

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tim O’Leary. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tim, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

A solid work ethic is fundamental to any success in Hollywood (and I’d imagine every other industry, too, but I’m just a dumb filmmaker.) The best and quickest way to form a good work ethic is to surround yourself with mentors who have way more experience than you do. I’ve been lucky to meet some amazing people in LA who’ve been navigating the film industry for a long time, and they’ve all taught me so much.

Another good way to form a successful work ethic is to observe the people who absolutely suck at this job. The people who show up late, who don’t know their lines, who think we’re doing community theater… they help solidify your work ethic, too. Just not in the way they probably think.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have a very specific brand as a filmmaker:

MURDER & GAY STUFF!

It’s the name of my production company and tells you exactly what you’re gonna get with my films. I specialize in horror or thrillers that feature queer protagonists and showcase a cheeky sense of humor. (And often butts.)

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The most important quality you can possess in Hollywood is to know how to be cool around people. I’m not saying you have to be the coolest dude ever, like the Fonz. (For example, you now know that I am not the coolest dude ever, because I just used the Fonz as a reference.) What I mean is you need to be able to talk to people and be likable. Hollywood is an industry built on relationships. People want to work with people they like. So make sure people like you.

As for skills, it’s simple: get good at your craft. Practice. If you’re a writer, write. If you’re a cinematographer, shoot little vignettes with your friends on your phone. If you’re an actor, get your butt in an acting class. Do the work.

And finally, the knowledge that’s most important is actually something that might surprise you. It’s not technical knowledge. It isn’t about writing tricks or the best cameras or equipment to own. It’s something much simpler.: it’s the knowledge that you cannot go it alone. You need friends. Colleagues. Brothers and sisters in arms. My mentor is Kaia Alexander, who founded the Entertainment Business School with the driving philosophy of “finding your wolfpack.” Taking her classes was a game-changer for me and helped me find my wolfpack while also learning everything else I needed to know about this absolutely insane industry.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

So much of filmmaking is overwhelming. There are so many moving parts. And when you’re the director, the buck stops with you. You get all the credit (undeservedly, by the way) if the film is a success, and all the blame (deservedly) if it fails.

Making movies is like Hercules fighting the Hydra–you cut off one of the beast’s heads and two more grow to take its place. I’m someone who easily gets overwhelmed when trying to see the big picture. So my strategy is to break everything down into small, actionable steps. And make lists.

I love lists. I love checking items off of lists. Nothing is sexier to me than a long list of checked-off tasks. Horny, horny, horny.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.timolearyonline.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/timolearyonline
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/timolearyonline
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timolearyonline/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/timolearyonline
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/timolearyonline
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@murderandgaystuff