Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Amaya.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started when I was about seven years old, my parents bought our first camcorder. I remember my brothers and I would use up all of my parent’s cassettes recording how to tutorials and filming homemade magic shows. Ever since then, everywhere we went, I took that camera and recorded our family vacations, gatherings and sometimes even trips to the grocery store. I loved that camera. A few years later, I remember my middle school having an awesome after school program and that’s where I really got into the arts. I joined everything that program had to offer which was actually quite a bit. Violin class, painting class, drum workshop, guitar lessons, and also a film and media class, I wanted to do it all. Growing up, I always enjoyed performing for people, and in high school I took my first drama class. From that day on, I knew the stage was the place for me. After graduating high school, I joined the Army. I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life there. I enjoyed my time in, I got to do some amazing things, I had the opportunity to travel to many countries but after almost seven years I decided that I wanted to pursue my dream, to be an actor. Unlike most people who travel to Hollywood, I am actually born and raised in Hollywood, I think that’s what explains this strong connection I have with the arts. I was surrounded by it my whole life,
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Well, everything worth doing will come with its own set of challenges. It’s up to you, as the individual, to overcome whatever gets thrown at you. I think one of the biggest challenges for me was that it took me a long time to realize what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t think that being an actor was right for someone like me. I grew up pretty poor, and as a first-generation American, being on television or film seemed out of my league. I struggled with this mindset for a very long time, and so I didn’t pursue my passion because of it. I wish I acted on it sooner, but better late than never.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main focus is in acting, that is what I love doing. Building a character from scratch, giving that character layers, and using techniques to bring that character to life in order to best tell a story. It’s an exciting journey because the possibilities are endless. With that said, I also love being on set. I know how to work in most positions on set, not all but most. This has allowed me to be on many sets, but not just as an actor. I understand that in film-making, it’s not one person who makes it all happen. Its teamwork and everyone’s job is equally as important. That’s the way I see it. It also pushes me to keep growing and to keep learning. That’s one of the things that set me apart from others. I am known for creating a fun but strict environment on set because our job as storytellers is important. It’s definitely true that the arts reflect the things going on around us, so in a way we are making history and I feel like that’s a huge responsibility.
What are your plans for the future?
No big changes, I think. I’m just going to keep doing me. The main thing I am looking forward to is actually work. I want to get my name out there and show people what can bring to the table. Now that I’m finished with college, I feel super eager to put into practice everything I have learned. I do plan on submitting a short film I produced to film festivals all year, so hopefully I hear something back.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: kevamayaofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChFJUb0kurPwmikFIOdPh9g/featured
Image Credits
Brian Lau (for the black and white, me laughing at camera one)
