Meet Clayton Farris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clayton Farris.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After getting laid off from a cushy hotel sales job in Dallas, TX due to the 2008 recession, I packed up and moved to LA with $500 and a tube of chapstick. I came here for a seasonal job with a local film festival, but ten years later I’m still here. I identify most as an actor but also I would call myself an internet comedian or the most loathed term of all “a content creator.” I’ve been lucky enough to work regularly as a commercial actor since I’ve been here, but even with regular acting work, you still have a lot of downtimes.

After a series of “close but no cigar” moments as an actor, I realized that I would have to wedge myself into this business on my own terms. That’s when I started making my own content. I started with a web-series based on the horrible process that actors go through where one gets “pinned” for a role only to later be flippantly let go. The earnestness of the web-series resonated with people, so I continued making funny shorts from an honest place. Then my friend Alona introduced me to the Vine app, and we started making relatable relationship videos that ended up gaining millions of views.

When Vine sadly died a tragic death, I continued making content for Instagram and recently teamed up with Facebook as a featured creator. I have appeared in shows like American Horror Story, Grey’s Anatomy and Jane the Virgin to name a few but I always go back to being a creator when I have downtime. It keeps the creative energy fresh and keeps you from waiting by your phone for your next opportunity. Sometimes you gotta make your own opportunities.

Has it been a smooth road?
Acting is like a punch in the face every other day. Each week you get presented with opportunities that could drastically change your professional life and each week you are told it’s not your turn (with some yeses in between). The highs and lows can be exhausting, but that’s the ride you sign up for. Acting is fucking fun, and when I focus on that, I feel lucky that I get to drive to Santa Monica every other day to pretend that I work at Best Buy.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
Whore for a laugh.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is still the place to be if you want to be an actor. Luckily, if you want to make dumb videos for the internet, you can do that anywhere. And if you don’t know what to shoot, just remember the next time the phrase “wouldn’t it be funny if…” comes out of your mouth. That’s what you should shoot!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.claytonfarris.com
• Instagram: @claytonfarris
• Facebook: @claytonfarrisactor
• Twitter: @claytonfarris

Image Credit:
Alona Forsythe

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