Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Wendrich.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“If your only reason not to take an opportunity is because you’re afraid to do it, do it.” This is a promise I made for myself a long time ago and a rule that I have stuck to ever since. I started my acting journey in 2016, and as a ridiculously shy kid who was afraid of public speaking, it was one of the biggest jumps I’ve ever taken in my life. In 2018, I was lucky enough to be one of twelve young men to be selected to work with Frantic Assembly, a renowned London-based theatre company. After graduating from Coleg Sir Gar College in 2019, I began my journey auditioning for drama schools, and after being unsuccessful for the first two years and everything being put on hold due to the pandemic, I was accepted to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles in 2021. Through a combination of fundraising and an inheritance left to me by my late grandfather, I was able to pay the tuition costs of an international student and began studying at one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world.
My journey to LA began to satisfy not only my craving to act but also my love of traveling and experiencing more of the world. A teacher once told me, “You won’t know yourself until you’ve traveled,” and this is something I truly believe and will continue to work towards. I also believe traveling to be inherent to acting itself, as to authentically portray a character outside of yourself, you need an understanding of people and cultures outside of your own, and although Los Angeles is only a stone’s throw away from the UK in terms of culture, it is certainly a step in the right direction, the first of many to come.
The Academy was where I really began to develop my craft as an actor. I began to understand the mechanics of storytelling, character development, pushing my own boundaries, and improving my technique as well as learning new skills such as stage combat, fencing, various dance styles, and vocal production. I also discovered a love for writing and began to create my own work, which, as any artist knows, is a cornerstone in your career.
I graduated from the Academy in 2023 and am now working as an actor here in LA on my OPT visa, allowing me to work in the field I studied in. There have been many challenges, such as graduating into the middle of a Writers Guild strike and SAG – AFTRA strike here in the US, and with a minimum amount of work hours needed each week to hold the visa, finding the necessary work was a struggle. Thankfully, by booking a job at Universal Studios and with the help of my agent at Tilmar Talent, I managed to pull through, and with the strikes now over, there are far more opportunities for me to book roles. I have been fortunate enough to work on multiple short films, music videos, commercials, mini-series, and potentially a Netflix Series, as well as creating my own work on the side. It has been my privilege to meet and collaborate with some of the most talented upcoming talent in the industry, as well as learning from industry professionals at the top of their game.
The community of like-minded artists and creatives that we have established here is not only inspiring, pushing each of us to our limits and reaching towards our potential, but it is also comforting. Comforting because, as any artist knows, there’s no one way to make it, and everyone has a different experience, and it can be difficult for people outside of the industry to understand the dedication and sacrifice required to pursue a career in acting. But when your community is made up of people who are walking the same road as you, they can also become your support system, there to catch you when you fall and cheer you on in success as you do the same for them. I cannot overstate my gratitude for the people I have met on this journey.
It is my hope to establish myself here as an actor, not an easy task, but one I’m excited to begin. There is an immense freedom and excitement in committing to following your dream, knowing the road you want to follow, but not knowing where it will take you.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggles have been financial. School fees and visa applications to finance, as well as LA’s living costs. Graduating into a Writer’s guild and SAG strike also made it difficult to find work, and as there is a limited field I’m allowed to work in due to my visa, it has been tricky to finance everything.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been acting for eight years in Wales, London, and Los Angeles, and I have been fortunate enough to work with some incredibly passionate and talented people, both starting out on their journey and professionals at the top of their game. Working in the theater has given me an appreciation for the craft of acting, capturing an audience’s attention and keeping it, telling a story in a way that stimulates your mind. But acting in film is where I fell in love with the craft. For me, it ties in my love of travel with the satisfaction of creating something permanent that I can be proud of and say, “Here is something that I was a part of making.”
What matters most to you? Why?
I need to have a sense of freedom in my life. My biggest fear is to be trapped somewhere I don’t want to be, and so having the ability to follow my dreams and follow where this road takes me is extremely important to me. I think discipline and sacrifice are two traits that have helped me immensely as they hold me in the direction in want to go and help me lose that which would hold me back or distract me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @joseph_wendrich_
- Facebook: @joseph.wendrich
