Daily Inspiration: Meet Tim Neff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Neff.

Hi Tim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Life is truly an interesting thing. An unknown sequence of events unfolding day in and day out. How we navigate it is up to us – our imagination, and our will to bring the truth we desire into fruition and make it our reality. I truly believe one can accomplish anything.

I grew up throughout California, Oregon, and Washington State. As a child, I was very sheltered from the outside world, which caused me to be shy, anxious, and generally unengaged with the world and its possibilities. I was feeling like I was behind in life.

Bit by bit, I began discovering the world. I found myself immersed in martial arts, action films, anime, and superheroes through comic books. I started exploring art, drawing, painting, and other mediums of creative outlets inspired by all of the above.

My early life at school was somewhat challenging. I felt inferior and inadequate. But, I was still able to find my way and channel my creative flow through furthering my art, exploring home economics (as I thought I may want to be a chef at that time), woodworking, and mechanics. Outside of school, I found skateboarding, which filled my free time and gave me a creative and focused activity.

At seventeen as I was finishing high school, I chose to join the military. I needed a foundation and a direction and it seemed like the military would provide both. But as I was acquiring the much-needed structure, I began craving more of a creative outlet. That’s when I found hip hop. The music and lifestyle led to dance. I was initially inspired by The King of Pop’s iconic moonwalk and taught myself breakdancing and pop lock.

Following that, I made my way toward the beautiful state of Montana. With a couple of siblings already there, it seemed like a perfect temporary space to think. There, I landed work in various places. I did construction, waited tables, and, most rewardingly, became a hip hop dance teacher. All the while I was exploring a snowboarder’s lifestyle.

Early on a Monday morning, I woke up craving change. By that Friday, I packed my car and drove to LA to see what the City of Angels could bring into my life. I followed pure curiosity but never did I think I would push into the film and TV business, let alone, be where I am today.

All in all the journey into the biz and surrounding ventures following the move has been full of challenges, lessons and adventure. Early on I funded my experience with no real direction. Managing a restaurant, bartending, catering events, and anything else that would keep me going. While gaining my bearings in the city, I found modeling. Giving me my intro to being in front of the camera and finding comfort in front of people walking the runway in fashion shows. All helpful experiences but nothing in comparison to discovering the art of acting. In this, my life would forever shift into a more direct and focused purpose.

Although I partitioned most of my time and energy into developing my craft and auditioning, I simultaneously did things that continued to make me happy. I competed in martial arts, discovered parkour, and even used the clothing construction education I received to develop a few clothing lines. My clothes appeared in TV shows and music videos, and for live shows including Depeche Mode’s world tour.

In the grand scheme of things, I am a creative through and through. I’m a filmmaker, an actor, a stuntman, a producer, a creature performer, a motion capture artist, a dancer, a designer, and now, a video game developer. I’m working in various productions through Hollywood, NYC, Atlanta, New Mexico and many other locations. I’m creating my own projects among friends and business partners; I love the opportunity and freedom to create with friends and colleagues, and my goal is to continue to do so in whatever feeds me as an artist.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In no way has it been a smooth road. My previously mentioned sheltered past that I glazed over made things extremely challenging. Having no information or experience on most of life’s and society’s functions, expectations and systems didn’t prep me for much of anything. In that I have to say that I’m very lucky I was able to see that and turn myself into a sponge of life, in a constant state of learning and soaking in everything I could at a rapid pace. Because of that realization and practice, I became addicted to the act of learning, growing and applying.

Every experience has been essential in shaping me to what I am today and to give me the know-how to what I’ve been able to accomplish. I’m appreciative of every challenge that’s been presented.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As previously mentioned, I am a creative in many mediums. Most recently acting and stunt performances have taken the forefront. I continue to love the journey of discovering a new character in myself. Getting a new script, breaking down the guts of it, finding the life in myself through it and breathing performance into it.

In the world of stunts, though well versed, I specialize in fight choreography and performance. Outside that I flip, fly (wire work), burn, drive and fall with style. What sets me apart (in my humble opinion) is that I tend to use my acting background through my stunt prep and performance. I use the same methods to break down a fight as I do to break down a character or scene. I need to find purpose and tell a story with every movement.

I’m proud of most of what I’ve been given the opportunity to do. I’m proud to work with the best of the best in my field and get to co-create and find new creative ideas. I am proud and I am thankful.

How do you think about luck?
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca

This couldn’t be more true. Through educating one’s self, hard work, dedication, a desire to be more and having the opportunity to showcase it and being prepared when the time comes brings all the luck in the world.

One of the most influential people I’ve experienced has a great quote: “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” – Tony Robbins

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Therealtimneff
• Facebook: facebook.com/thetimneff
• Twitter: @Therealtimneff
• Other: IMDb.me/TimNeff

Image Credits
D’Andre Michael Fausto Darquea Jim Donnelly Tyler Tackett Jonathan Chia David Chan Danny Wong