Meet Phillip Garcia in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Garcia.

Phillip, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in San Jose CA. I will always be a bay kid at heart. I really started acting when he was cast as Mowgli in my elementary school production of The Jungle Book.

I remember my teachers pulling my dad aside and telling him that I had something special and that I should continue training in musical theatre. So I did. I got involved in theatre at a young age. Was in over 20 musicals between the ages of 9-18.

I also got involved in commercial acting classes in nearby San Francisco- which, looking back at it now, is probably why I did so well once I moved to LA.

Our mind is the most powerful tool we have. And because I had that training years prior to ever stepping foot in a commercial audition room here in la I already had an innate confidence in myself. I had an “oh I’ve done this before” type mentality. 

After high school, I went to an arts college here in LA called the American Musical & Dramatic Academy where I studied Musical Theatre and acting. More than anything, while at AMDA I learned that building relationships with those around me, was going to be the most important tool to maintain throughout my career.

I graduated with a BFA in Acting in 2010.

Since then, I’ve appeared in over 30 National commercials including Taco bell, Verizon, Bud-Light, Microsoft, Volkswagen, McDonalds, and most recently Progressive Insurance.

Since 2012 I’ve had the privilege of appearing alongside Hollywood’s elite on NBC’s Telenovela starring Eva Longoria, ABC’s Scandal starring Kerry Washington, and most recently CBS’ Criminal Minds starring Mathew Grey Gublar. Probably the craziest experience was most recently appearing on literally my favorite show on TV- TNT’s Animal Kingdom. To go from watching every episode to then watching yourself be a part of those characters’ story arc was NUTS. So thankful to have had that opportunity. It was unreal.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
By no means has my journey so far, been smooth. psh far from it. If failure is supposed to be a part of our success stories then let me tell you, I’ve failed about 95% percent of the time. Look, there is no possible way to control all of what comes to you. ESPECIALLY in this industry. So much is out of our control. But I believe, how we respond to adversity and how we overcome obstacles is the most important part of our process and thus in turn; our success.

Last year I was flown to Atlanta for a screen test for one of the hugest shows on TV (well internet… Netflix) and I was being considered for a recurring role- a pivotal role. I got to test with the star of the show and I felt really strong about it.

I flew back to la on such a high. I was elated to know that I had accomplished such a feet. Once I arrived back in la, I was met with a phone call from my agent telling me I didn’t book the show, that they went with someone else. I was crushed. All of the hours preparing. all of the time and money it took for me to get to that point- all of it came rushing into my soul with a swift and unapologetic dagger of emotion. I fell to my knees right then and there.

To not get the job was one thing. But the self-doubt in the weeks to follow was the more unwavering obstacle to overcome. I was so hard on myself, I asked myself: what could I have done better? Why wasn’t it me who booked the show? How come I’m not good enough?? Was I distracted? Was I over prepared? – And the list goes on and on.

But in looking back at that point in my career, I learned to not let myself get to high on the outcome of it all. That there was always a chance that something may and could at any time change. Production and casting has one job: to cast the person that tells the story in the correct manner. FOR THE STORY. It has nothing to do with us personally. It’s just business at the end of it all. I learned to not be CARELESS with preparation, but to just learn CARE a little LESS. I was so looking forward to booking that I lost sight of what was truly important. Having fun! and finding the joy in it all.

Anyway, they ended up casting a girl in the role so, in retrospect, I’m just glad it wasn’t a dude that looked exactly like me. I mean, she looked like me, but she was still a girl, so I guess I was comforted by that.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Phillip Garcia – what should we know?
I am a multidisciplinary artist. I’m an actor full time. I am a recording artist and singer. And I shoot photography on the weekends. I have idle hands (it’s a blessing and a curse, trust) but I always have my hands in something creative.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe in any discipline that authenticity and integrity drive any successful and effective person be it in personal or business relations.

This year my mantra has been “FIND THE JOY” and lemme tell you, it’s worked wonders. Think about this would you be more willing to work with someone who is annoyed or jaded and un-happy or someone who is genuinely excited and joyful and happy to be there?

I think there’s no question that production and casting want to be around someone who has a positive attitude, and who is willing to “be the student”, and work hard to make things easy on set or in the audition room.

Contact Info:

• Website: Phillipagarcia.com
• Email: phillip.a.garcia@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillipagarcia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phillipagarcia24
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/phillipagarcia
• Other: www.imdb.me/phillipgarcia

Image Credit:
Phillip

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