An Inspired Chat with Antonio Rumie of Burbank

Antonio Rumie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Antonio , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
A priority of mine has always been to never miss any time. It had been set in stone that right after high school I’d go straight to college. Right after college I’d dive straight to work. Keep moving until I reach my potential. No gaps. No breaks. No time wasted.

What I didn’t realize till now was the importance of the moments in between. Those “empty” spaces that are often overlooked and that are often just as-if not more-important than the actual studying or working parts.

If there’s one thing artists in general need to learn, it’s how to be at peace with the workless days. They’re inevitable. And instead of panicking or bumming out, its in those moments we’re actually supposed to make ART (which is our job to begin with.)

For me, it looks like sitting down and writing for hours. Dancing until my heart bleeds. Filming a random scene. Traveling. Being with friends. Learning something new. Or said simpler:live.

Right now, I’m being called to do more of that. Living.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m only scratching the surface of what I want to achieve professionally. But I know the work will be stronger, deeper, and more honest if I honor these moments of youth that won’t come back.

My art, especially, is fueled by culture. I’ve lived in over seven countries, and my work is shaped by the languages, customs, and contradictions of all those places. I know that if I keep learning and expanding my art can do the exact same thing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I don’t intend to be vague, but I’m an artist at heart. If we went by titles, I studied film and acting professionally. But during my studies and once I started working, those titles expanded into areas I didn’t even know I could step into.

So now when I stumble upon the question—“what do you do?” Or “Who are you?” I have a tough time narrowing it down.

I’ve worked as a production and costume designer, danced in more stage productions and music videos that I can count, and I’m currently preparing to direct a film in early 2026 in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Also, my most consuming long-term project is a science-fiction trilogy I’ve been writing for the past five years.

That’s the beauty of this industry:there’s no manual. No one path, no checklist you have to complete. Yes, I do believe in studying the craft you want to specialize in, but also in staying open to learning something new every day. To become a writer, you simply sit down and write. To be an actor, you learn the foundations and then train it like a muscle. Again and again and again.

What makes me unique is my versatility. I can adapt to what a project, crew, or cast needs in the moment. I can work behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera or somewhere yet to be discovered in the middle.

Especially in an industry that is in constant flux, being able to evolve and adapt is essential.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My father has taught me the most about my work ethic. His story is the one I replay in my head whenever I lack inspiration or need a confidence boost.

He was never the most academically inclined, nor did he pretended to be. But he grabbed life by the fist and completely flipped his reputation around. When you’re not only trying to change how people see you, but also build something from the ground up, you learn how to put up a pretty good fight. He taught me that when you fall, you learn how to get back up stronger.

That mindset is the foundation of how I approach my work and life. You start at the bottom and work your way up. But you do every step with consistency, humility and the same attitude no matter the scale, the price tag or title.

I take the work. Any work. Whether it’s paid or not has never been a deal breaker. Being on set, helping out, observing, learning—that’s where the gold is. It keeps my art muscles awake, fuels my networking and keeps me active in the industry tongue.

That’s what I take from my father. No matter where you start from: You show up. You do the work. You keep building.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Don’t listen to them…”

That’s what I would tell my younger self.

There wasn’t a single person-teacher, friend, family member, anyone, whether they meant well or not—who didn’t at some point tell me to “grow up.”

It kills artists.

It wasn’t until I began my bachelor’s program that I realized the strongest way to become an actor is to never grow up. To stay connected to that younger part of yourself. A part with enough imagination to transport you anywhere: outer space, a war zone, underwater, the caveman era. What acting teaches you is to unlearn everything modern society demands of you: be polite, speak when spoken to, be “mature”. When in reality, every story we tell is based on flawed, and the messiest of human beings.

So yes, if I had a time machine, I’d go back and mute those voices. I would never grow up or delayed it as much as possible. It would’ve saved me time and lots and lots of unnecessary stress.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Believing intelligence alone is enough.

In this time and age we over-intellectualize everything. Art, politics, history, identity, culture, emotions until everything becomes lifeless.

Being informed does not make one wise.

In the arts especially we tend to want to control creativity instead of letting it take its natural course. We shouldn’t trust algorithms, trends, strategic data, let alone rush it at all! The real revolutionary art pieces come from emotional honesty, intuition and taking risks.

I really enjoy the old saying: Sometimes the loudest in the room is not the smartest. Sometimes the smartest is the one who leaves you doubting what you thought you knew.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Whenever i’m dancing or writing I feel closest to peace.

Simply said, I enter an unbreakable trance. No news, no stress, no breakup can touch that space. There have been numerous moments- family issues, heartbreaks, heated arguments, or days heavy with tension where entering that zone was the only way to breathe and see life with color again.

No, it won’t fix the issue. But it calms me. It allows my emotions to be unleashed in a healthy manner. I can pour them out onto a page inside an imaginary world, or release them through my body with music.

It’s a practice I believe is a necessity in life. A personal habit you must discover for yourself based on what matches your lifestyle. No matter the day or circumstance it will always be your backbone and no one can ever take it away from you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyrumie/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-rumie-b4b2a625b/

Image Credits
Yiti Tsai, Anton Sinitsyn, Daniya