Meet Vinnie Langdon Iii

We were lucky to catch up with Vinnie Langdon Iii recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vinnie, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I get my work ethic from my family! When I was younger, I witnessed my older Sister working 2-3 jobs while juggling high school. Back then I thought that’s what every fourteen year-old kid did. My Dad was always a hard-worker taking any extra hours if offered. My Mom always had the ‘cool’ jobs from running an ice skating rink to managing a local country singer. When I was fourteen, ready to enter the workforce as well, I wanted to combine all those skills my family showed me, especially having the ‘cool’ job part!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I suppose the best title for me nowadays is what you would call a ‘content creator.’ I started my journey professionally at age fourteen when I entered a TV studio for the first time in my hometown of Vacaville, California. I learned the ropes of basic camera work and taught myself video editing along the way within a six month period. During this time it was recording on VHS tapes so the editing process took way longer than it does for today’s standards.

My ‘claim to fame’ is that I was the host and producer of ‘The Vinnie Langdon Show’ a music TV series that ran from 2004-2015 on 7 public access stations across the U.S. I proudly produced over 500 half-hour commercial-free episodes interviewing pretty interesting characters better known as ‘rock stars!’

Some would be surprised to know that the reason I pursued my own show was because I wanted to be on an actor in Hollywood. Figured a TV hosting gig would be good on the resume and I could gain on-camera experience. I was a super shy kid believe it or not. Later in my life, I did eventually do some background work in feature films, Super Bowl Commercials and television shows… a few cameos here and there. One time I was asked to be on YouTube’s SMOSH where I played an Alien Student on a webisode.

I got to work with some incredible artists over the years thanks to my show from Paramore, Escape The Fate, Papa Roach, Alesana… the list goes on. I’ve made some of the nicest friends you could from all over the world and I am blessed to be able to say I’ve enjoyed my life along the way.

Today I work throughout the Tri-State area producing various forms of content ranging from local TV commercials, documentaries that have broadcasted on PBS stations, helping other YouTubers like Mrs. Q’s History (Patriot Tours NYC), making my own short films, and since 2022, my big concentration has been the role of being the founder and festival director of the Summer of Shorts International Film Festival in Staten Island, New York.

Best way to keep tabs on me is by following my YouTube channel: YouTube.com/vinnielangdonshow

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: Persistence. In this field of film/tv is just knowing people are going to tell you NO often. I got denied hundreds of times for really good script ideas I had or interview requests for some of my favorite bands. Of course I’d get bummed out for a second but then I’d not let that stop me completely. I’d never take it personally. I’d find another way around the situation. #2: Follow Through (Always!) – Going back to an earlier question in this interview about my work ethic and what my family taught me – maybe it’s having East Coast parents or what not (?) – but I was taught you must always follow through. Even if you are in the mood one day, tomorrow you might not be, but you have to push through it and just get it. Can’t back out once you’ve started. Once you make a commitment, promise… people are going to expect something from You. In this sometimes rough business at the end of the day, each product you put out is your reputation so you gotta make it as best as you can. If you start something and don’t follow through it’s going to be a reflection of your work ethic for future gigs. Lastly I would say be willing to #3: Be Open – Be Open to new ways and changes. Things have certainly changed over time in my field. New video equipment, new editing software, there’s even a new way to audition for your favorite TV shows and movies… back “in my day” (lol) You would have to stand in long lines to audition – bring your headshot printed on an 8×10 with your resume stapled to the back, now everything is done with these virtual auditions and call-backs. “Self-tapes” it’s certainly amusing seeing fellow friends on social media even posting their auditions for their network to see! But yeah, just be open to learn what ever comes at us, even if you need to take your own time learning it first before jumping right in!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I would say the most impactful thing my parents did for me was to simply be there when needed. I understand some readers may not have supportive parents that would go the extra mile, therefore I am blessed. In the early days of doing my show, my parents would offer to be my camera operators when no one else was available. I would film concerts for some artists that required additional camera angles, so I’d say, “Mom! Dad! Guess we’re filming a band!” I would direct them specifically too to make sure I wouldn’t have to do any re-shoots! They would attend film festivals with me whenever my film was shown locally in California… bought tickets to the screenings and even open to have those heart-to-heart talks when I would self doubt myself or choices I made in my career, they’ve always been there for me.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/statenislandsummerofshorts (Film Festival I run!)
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/vinnielangdonshow