We recently connected with Vinnie Langdon III and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Vinnie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re very focused on here – improving our ability to make decisions. Everyday, we’re faced with decisions that can impact the future of our careers, businesses, relationships and more and so one of the most impactful areas for personal development, in our view, is decision-making. Can you talk to us about how you developed or improved your decision-making skills?
For me it took quite a while to learn the words, “No.” I never wanted to be a disappointment. I never wanted to let anybody down. I figured in my head that IF I would say yes to a project that it would automatically lead to more work or bigger opportunities or simply make the other person feel happy with me. At a young age I was trained to commit, follow thru and do your best. I suppose I did that mostly, however one thing I was never taught properly was that it was okay to turn down work. Eventually if you try to juggle multiple work, you’re not putting all your effort into one single basket, and that will catch up to you and lead to lousy results or simply burn out. Recently I learned to self-evaluate when someone offers me a particular role for work, prior to agreeing, I will have to evaluate myself if I am in the right head frame for it. Will this project benefit me in the long run? Do I even have time? Will this project guarantee me a stepping stone to the next direction for my career? Will it be a short profit gain or will it be an on-going profit? Is this something I want to associate myself with down the road? I ask myself these honest questions nowadays prior to making a decision when it comes to my career.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Since 2004, I have been in the world of film and television production. I started off at a local TV station climbing the ropes from untangling cables to hosting my own talk show for 17 years called, ‘The Vinnie Langdon Show!’ I traveled the U.S. interviewing emerging rock bands at music festivals. Gaining confidence on-camera lead me to pursuing a career in acting. I’ve appeared in television commercials, TV programs, worked in news and have won several awards for my performances in independent films. I’ve been blessed on the journey so far as well as the duration of the career I’ve had too. Most people who want to break into the industry realize the reality of it quickly and what it entails and decide it’s not for them. For Me? It’s in my blood, it’s part of who I am and I plan on being involved either behind the camera or in front for the remainder of my life. Outside of Film and TV: I have a big heart for seeing the best in other people, wanting the best for people and being available to help others. I have an interest in Christian Ministry as well. I’ve lead multiple Bible Studies in the past five years, have been involved with my church in many ways and hope to pour into my community someway somehow with my gifts combining my skillsets as an actor, filmmaker and with ministry as well.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Consistency: Being consistent in my developing my work has helped come along way and being disciplined about it. Staying focus and keeping busy was the key for me to get better at what I’ve done.
Self-Educating: Sometimes paying for online courses or taking in-person classes can add up financially. There are other ways you can improve yourself without paying for lessons. You can find tutorials almost on anything anywhere on the internet. Sometimes you can find a mentor in the industry you want to get better in. You can hit someone up easily these days and ask a few questions you have to see what worked for them.
Not Giving Up: I know this sounds easier said than done but If I were to be honest with you, there has been probably half-a-dozen times where financially things weren’t working out in my favor or I got ‘bored’ with my career or I felt like I haven’t got to the point I want to be YET and figured wouldn’t it be easier to throw in the towel and go pursue something ‘easier’? Then again, If I think about myself doing something just ‘because” and not because I am passionate about it… I feel like I would be wasting my life as well as wasting others times too. Time is too valuable to waste.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
In this field of Filmmaking and Acting, it is a TEAM sport. The reality of it, is that it is competitive, people can be egotistical – you can easily hit heads with creatives who don’t have the same vision or drive as you do and that’s okay. There are people out there who do want to succeed, work hard, have the drive and want to do this full-time. You have to find those people. I am open to collaborate with anyone. I think we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is that you can broaden your reach as far as your “circle” goes. Recently I have worked with two actresses in Florida on multiple projects, I have been working with a photographer in Texas, I have connections in San Diego who reaches out to me for video editing work. With the power of the internet, you can work with anyone from anywhere in the world. Don’t limit yourself to “OH I have to work with the people in my neighborhood – because that certainly limits yourself and your creativity.” The best way to reach me is via my e-mail if you are interested in collaborating on a screenplay, need an actor, assistance with video editing, advice, consultation whatever… I’m usually open if I am available. My e-mail is: [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/vinnielangdonshow
- Other: E-Mail: [email protected]
Image Credits
Vinnie Langdon, Eric Ford, Dackalac Films [us]
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
