Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharar Ali-Speakes.
Hi Sharar, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a full time creative and decided the corporate world was no longer for me. I got into acting really because my mom felt like I would do well in this career. I’ve always had a passion to be creative whether that was from poetry to acting. As I continued to dive into my acting I discovered other passions within the industry like videography and editing. I see life through stories and I love any opportunity to share them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle is reinventing yourself. I booked a tv show Will Trent, which was an amazing opportunity. However, I had no idea that taking that job would have me walking out of the corporate life. I know I want to act and I know i love creating, but I wasn’t sure how do I pursue being a creative? Acting..you wait for the auditions and you hope you book a job. But until that happens I had to ask what else can I do? It took me a minute, but I found my path. I not only act, but I continue writing poetry, I make content for myself whether that’s Tik Tok or skits, I do videography and editing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Like I mentioned, I still act and you can watch the last project I was on on Hulu. The show is Will Trent and it’s the season finale on season 3. Right now I would like to highlight what sets me apart is I believe my interest in videography and editing. I know a lot of actors that like to direct and produce, but I don’t hear much about being the one actually holding a camera to film or editing. I feel like stepping into that area of the industry has helped me grow as an actor and also appreciate editors who put our stories together.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I will say now my biggest risk is going after being a full time creative. I would describe myself as a steady freddy. I would love to take risk, but I also crave stability. So as much as I always yearned to quit a job and not work a “normal job” I hesitated to take that risk. This year some great things happened and some unexpected things happened that were out of my control. That unexpected event changed my life and now I’m all in for the risk. I want to give myself the real chance to go for it and give it everything I have. I have people that believe in, but I wanted to fully believe in myself to go after it. I think something I am really keeping close to my heart is every moment matters. What life do you want to live ? If there is something tugging at your heart I believe to explore that because you owe it to yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prophet_speakes/
Image Credits
headshot : Justin Powell
