Conversations with Cayman Cardiff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cayman Cardiff.

Hi Cayman, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a southern boy who was born in Lexington Kentucky and then grew up in Savannah Georgia. I was raised on proper morals, good country cookin’, and a drive to succeed. I went to school in Utah at the University of Utah and was studying to be a physician when I decided that I wanted to pursue a passion instead of a “career” and so I switched my major to Spanish and let the universe guide me. I was reached out to by Irvin Gelb a manager in Los Angeles while I was still in college. He told me he thought I would make a fine addition as the leading man on his roster to which I responded “I don’t know what that means.” I had no idea I would want to be an actor but he planted the idea and I met with him the next time I was in LA. When we met he showed me that he thought I had what it took and as long as I had or acquired the skill in acting I would make it. I determined to give it a shot and so I left after graduating to come down to LA with nothing but a personal training and massage license to make money while I gained the necessary training practice and skill in acting. My manager began submitting me and I was taking classes and finally things started happening. I was getting auditions, I was turning those auditions into callbacks, and eventually within a few months I was booking roles. I got my first role in a Lifetime TV movie called “Betrayed By Love” as Johnny Valentine and since then I have continued booking more and more. I joined the Union, I did a national Commercial, and then I started starring in vertical micro dramas or vertical soaps! I have done 15 so far as the leading man in each and I am getting more and more auditions for SAG films and TV shows. I worked with my manager to get agents for theatrical and commercial as well as VO and other areas of the industry. Everything has just been seemingly taking off on its own but I know there are a lot of people supporting me and all I have is gratitude for what is going on and where I have come in only less than a year.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggles were personal! I ended a 4.5 year relationship that was not healthy, I had to take multiple classes and continue getting coaching in order to maintain and grow as an actor. I didn’t grow up really acting outside of musicals and plays and so I had a lot of catching up to do. I also have had to find ways to balance making enough money to live in LA while also having the freedom to audition and work as an actor. But as of now I am a full time actor and making more than enough to cover costs of living as well as start saving for my future!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actor! I never thought that was where my life would take me to be honest. I started out in the medical field, I was an anesthesia technician in college, and then I got my massage license, personal training certification as well as my nutrition coach certification and I was helping people with health and wellness for about 7 years while in college and before switching to a career in acting. I started acting in middle school with some plays including sound of music and then in high school where I played in Chicago and was the lead, Horton the Elephant, in Seussical the musical. Later I took classes in college just Acting I and II for non-majors for fun. I always knew it was something I enjoyed but I didn’t ever think it would lead to a professional career. Now I am here with almost 20 professional credits on my IMDb and an international commercial and a part of the SAG Union in under a year of deciding to be an actor. I am humbled and grateful but also brimming with anticipation for where my future will go as an actor! I am being asked to submit for major recurring roles and series regular roles as well as films even in a time in the industry where there is not much happening. I am excited and I believe it is only a matter of time before I am able to get my next big role.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe the Vertical Short form or Micro Dramas will continue to be seen with more legitimacy in the industry. My goal, actually, is to be a bridge between the “vertical” and “horizontal” film worlds and help merge and blend the industries as well as help others to see their legitimacy. I think that in 5-10 years I will see that goal realized and I think that I will be able to have a major part in making it come to fruition. I also think that for myself I will be more recognized widely and be able to use my platform to make changes to the industry that are helpful and protect people. A big thing for me is making sure that my female costars feel safe and comfortable on set, I want to make that a big trend shift in general that women feel heard, safe and are seen as equally important in the industry (especially when it comes to pay).

Pricing:

• Betrayed By Love – Lifetime Movie Network
• Unwanted True Mate – Dramabox
• Playing Pretend – Candy Jar (formerly known as Galatea TV)
• My Mafia Pilot Boyfriend – Dramawave
• Mated to my Savage Alpha – Dramabox

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caymancardiff/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caymancardifftalent/

Image Credits
Andrew Gin (First Photo Only)