We recently had the chance to connect with Marcus Hamm and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Marcus, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about the filmmaking industry, is that it’s driven by the hope of becoming rich and famous. Neither are what inspires one to sacrifice so much. It’s simply the desire to create, and to share your gifts with others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marcus Nel-Jamal Hamm and my brand is the Urban Renaissance, aka Urban Renaissance Entertainment. Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s, the Urban Renaissance takes the concept to a global audience. What makes it interesting and unique, is that it’s driven by the mission of inspiring every person who has been told that they can only be a handful of things, to dare to be anything.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My late mother Brenda Mae Hamm, as well as my father Wilfred Hamm always saw me as limitless. When I was a C student, she believed that I could get A’s. When I shared my dreams of becoming a professional wrestler and Actor, she didn’t try to talk me down, but instead would encourage me to go full force.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Before I made the decision to move from Maryland to Los Angeles, I applied to become a State Capitol Police Officer. On the same day that I was scheduled to take a test for the position, I also was invited to a casting call for the film State of Play, starring Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe. I was a little late for the test as I had difficulty locating the testing site, and the officer at the door denied me access. I later went to the casting call and was booked to play a Capitol Police Officer, and had an on screen role with Ben Affleck. It was the day I truly knew to continue to follow my dreams.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public me is as much a fictional persona as any character I’ve ever played. That is, unless I’m in the company of those who I truly feel I can be myself around.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Everything that we experience in life was meant for us to experience. We are not in control of our destiny, we are a spiritual collective, driving on a highway towards Infinity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.urbanrenaissanceentertainment.com
- Instagram: @UrbanRenEntLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcushamm?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/UrbanRenEntLLC/?http_ref=eyJ0cyI6IjE3NTQ5NzQwODIzMjMiLCJyIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3d3dy5nb29nbGUuY29tIn0%3D
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@urbanrenaissanceentertainmentl?si=VGV3bPHRknOcX4XQ
Image Credits
Masashi Ishizuka
