Road to Stardom with David Firestone Season 2 Episode 4: Aubrey Wakeling

[00:00:00] This podcast is brought to you by Stevie Wicks. From Hollywood, California, the manager that we all love, David Firestone.

[00:00:37] Stardom with David Firestone. We have another episode happening, starting in just a few minutes, with a great talent, Aubrey Wakeling. He's been with us, I had to ask him on the podcast how long he's been with us, hard to believe it's been three years. He's booked some really nice co-star role with us, and has been a great experience having Aubrey on board. He's a very unique individual. Great guy.

[00:01:02] As to a story before today's podcast, a lot of things have been happening in the industry, with people near and dear to us, to me. We had the passing of Art Evans, and we had a memorial service that I attended this past Monday. And it was quite inspirational, motivational. His wife, Babe, they loved each other dearly.

[00:01:31] We put a great memorial service together for him at the Hollywood Legion Theater Veterans site. It was very well done. Great story about his life, his commitment to acting, and how he treated people.

[00:01:50] He was a true gentleman. And if some of you don't know the name Art Evans, he had a really great scene with Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2, many other big films. He's won an Oscar. Great actor, but at the same time, an amazing human being. He will be missed. And as we all know, recently, Val Kilmer just passed away. He's been fighting it for a while with throat cancer, as you know.

[00:02:17] And he struggled through that to the end. But an amazing actor, amazing film credits. I met Val when he was doing his Mark Twain theater production, and he did a Mark Twain show. And he was at the, he traveled around the country with it. I saw him at the Kirk Douglas Theater. It was over a great talent at the time, Elliot Ellers and Yeva Georges were there with me.

[00:02:46] And I got a chance to meet Val, talk to him briefly. And it was a great scene. He did that performance of Mark Twain. He nailed it. So another great loss, but time moves on. And we have the memories and the film there to watch them do their performance.

[00:03:11] And enchant many audiences around the world with their incredible performances. So we've had a rough week, but we move forward. Keep the light going. And hope you enjoy this episode. Thank you very much. I understand they asked you for a backup. Yeah. And you're not gonna like it.

[00:03:37] It's a modified SAM with explosive warhead removed and a reduced thruster. In essence, it's a javelin. Now, the flight is scheduled to depart at 7pm when it's still light up. The reduced thruster will make the heat trail virtually invisible during that time. The reduced speed will cause more blunt force trauma to the body, making it break up.

[00:04:05] Steven, we need reassembly and source detection on this to be virtually impossible. Yeah. Now, what elevation does airplane need to be to achieve that? 10,000 feet. Aubrey. Aubrey Wakelin. David. David. How have you been? I'm very well, thank you. And I appreciate the time. Good. I'm a busy guy running your empire. Oh, well, you know, it's a crazy business we're in.

[00:04:31] But I appreciate you coming on board to our podcast, Road to Starting with David Firestone, because you've done a really great job over the last few years. How long have you been on board? Two years or three years? Two years. Three years. Two, I think. Wow. And you booked two roles of a recollect during that timeframe. Is that about right? I booked the residence, which was recurring. Right. I just booked For All Mankind.

[00:04:58] For All Mankind, those two, right? Which are really great shows. And I haven't watched the residence next. Let's do a little plug. It's on Netflix. And Aubrey plays, you won't tell what role he specifically plays. You'll see it on there, right? But he plays a great role. I really loved him on set. Yeah. The character's Walpole being, he's a corrupt Australian. Corrupt Australian. Australian. Australian, yeah.

[00:05:22] And it's a small part, but as some wise person said, there are no small parts, only small actors. And that's, I'd say that to any actor coming up is, it's what you can do with a part that's important, not the size of it. And that's right. That would be my advice. I mean, Steve McQueen famously was one of the few people in Hollywood who said, I need less lines. I don't need lines. I just need FaceTime.

[00:05:48] Oh, okay. That's an interesting thought. I never heard it expressed that way. Have you followed Steve McQueen's path? I mean, you like as an actor and you've studied? Yeah. I love his acting and I grew up with a lot of American actors like Bogart, Brando, Rod Steiger, Steve McQueen. Wow. I think he's very understated. He's underrated because he's actually in terms of movie acting, very sophisticated actor.

[00:06:16] You know, he's technically good, but he's very real. Right. And those things were easy. One of my favorite films with him was The Great Escape. Great Escape, Bullets. Right. Bullets. Classics. He died too young too. He died too young. Yeah. He passed away too young, but he was a great actor as you, as you say, and you have some great role models you mentioned there. Yeah. Let me ask a little bit more of a specific question. And that is what got you into acting? How did you, I'm not even sure how many years you've been doing that.

[00:06:45] You started in the UK, correct? I did. But I, you know, like you said in an earlier podcast, you shouldn't make reference to your age. Don't make reference to your age. Okay. Don't think of dates, but it's more like, were you an adult kid? I was mature. I was adult. I came to it quite late. I didn't have a lot of encouragement in terms of acting. So I had to find it myself in a way. And that came later. Like a lot of things in life, you kind of find it yourself later, you know?

[00:07:16] Right. Fine wines do age, especially red wines, right? Yeah. Yeah. I believe. So did you, what path did you follow? Did you start it? But did you start in the UK? You did some acting in the UK initially, right? I did. I went to drama school. I did theater for many years. The theater, the theater, the theater. Classical acting, Shakespeare, that kind of thing. And then I came over briefly.

[00:07:42] 15 years ago, I came over here to do some, to study with a Hollywood teacher called Margie Haber. You may have heard of her. I've heard of her, but I don't know her yet. And so I was only here a brief time and she offered to sponsor me to come back. And I'd never really done film and film is something I'd always loved to do. But for a British actor, theater is almost like the thing you're assumed you will do.

[00:08:08] You know, it's a kind of, not a snobbery against film, but there's a kind of way of, you go into the theater really. That's why if you're going to be an actor, you go into the theater in England. So, so she offered to sponsor me and I came here 15 years ago. Wow. Stayed, you know. Fantastic. You know, I'm not getting really, we never really talked about who you were with and how, and, and you have some great. Audrey, I have to commend you. Aubrey just so one knows, he has some great reels. Aubrey is the kind of actor you like to be able to submit.

[00:08:38] And because he has a really nice set of reels and he has some great English scenes that he has in there. And they're very varied. And he actually has an American accent, a gangster tape or detective. You could call it either way, which helps a lot when you're submitting. And Aubrey does have a kind of a psycho tape, which I enjoy that tape that, that always works well for certain roles. I'm not even acting there. It's just, just Aubrey.

[00:09:09] When he's at home, that's what Aubrey does. Well, we hope not. But anyway, it's a great, it's a great tape. And I think it served you well. You have some nice additions with us over the, over the last few years. I especially enjoyed that one addition. I forget the name of the show they were working on. It's the, can you remind me? It's the one where you have to do a fall down the stairs. It's, um. Oh yeah, that was, uh, Monsters, wasn't it? Monsters for Netflix.

[00:09:36] We won't go into detail about the scene, but I thought Aubrey did a bang up job. They didn't do a call back or had you on a veil? Yeah, I was on a veil for that one. Right, you were on a veil. I wish you would have gotten that one, but it just didn't happen. But it was, uh, did a great job on that audition. Thank you. And Aubrey always is on time, which we love about our actors that are on time and get their tapes in a reasonable manner. And it always follows up.

[00:10:03] And so you, what made you fall in love with that? What, what, what was the, that thing that spark? Um, it was difficult to say to pinpoint it really, but I was a big fan of Elvis when I was. Yeah. And I thought I'd like to be in an Elvis film, you know, just breaks into song whenever he wants to. I thought that's a good way to live, you know? So Elvis got me into, into films, which is.

[00:10:33] Really? Because he was more of a singer first. Yeah. Then did some acting. Yeah. Which propelled him into acting. That's true. And people, you know, don't consider him a good actor, but I thought if you could act the way Elvis sings, he'd be pretty good. Yeah. No, he has a good presence on camera, regardless of what you think of his acting abilities. He definitely could carry a film. And he's got great sincerity.

[00:10:55] So as a singer, my kind of ambition would be to kind of act like Elvis sings to be that truthful, you know? So that's kind of where it started, which sounds, you know, maybe unusual, but you know, I watched a lot of American films when I was a kid, you know, as I said, Brando on the waterfront. I remember when I was 10, you know, really moved by it. And I thought somehow I connected to it and like Steve McQueen movies, Humphrey Bogart.

[00:11:24] And I just could, I felt at home in film in a way. And it's, it's not just acting. It's being in a film. I think for me, you know, it's being in the whole dynamic of film, you know, which you, you love, don't you? You love films. So it's not just about me acting. It's being part of a kind of family in a way. It sounds corny, but I believe it. What's your favorite Humphrey Bogart film talking about Humphrey Bogart? I don't mind is. I wonder what yours is. Ah, that's a good one.

[00:11:53] Maybe the Maltese Falcon. I think that's pretty good. Which one? Maltese Falcon. Maltese Falcon. Maltese Falcon. That's a good choice. Um, obviously, well, Casablanca actually. My answer would have been Casablanca, but Maltese Falcon is actually a very good, good film. Casablanca. Yeah. Casablanca is the classic, but in terms of films that he was in, Maltese Falcon is right up there with the top, top four or five.

[00:12:22] So you, you got interested through Elvis, which is interesting. You, you threw me off on that. That's you being an Englishman. But, um, so you, you started with the Elvis connection like that and that kind of propelled you into wanting to get more into acting. As you progressed over the years and developed different techniques, et cetera, and you had acting schools. As a new actor getting into the business, would you have any thoughts about how an actor

[00:12:51] should get into the business and what's a good way to, irregardless of their, their motivation to do it. Any thoughts about the best way for them to progress in the business and how they get it, how they might get ahead. Well, I think the best way is experience. I think, you know, whatever it is, a short film, unpaid film, uh, you know, I think you learn through experience. I don't think necessarily going to drama school is the key.

[00:13:18] In fact, it can hinder you as much as help you sometimes because you may be very, very, very natural actor, but you can be kind of, um, directed in the wrong way. So I think the best advice is to get experience, you know, um, in acting really, um, however humble, you know, do that. You learn through, through doing it.

[00:13:44] I mean, I'm quoting a lot of actors, but Paul Newman said he only started to learn when he was 75, you know, and that less is more. And I think every actor I've spoken to, and certainly myself thinks that less is more that you learn as you get more experience. You learn just to be rather than to act because acting really is behavior. It's not about action. I mean, the word action is the worst thing you can say to an actor, you know, because it's like, oh, I'm acting now.

[00:14:13] And it's not like that. Acting is more behavioral. It's more simple than that. You know, I think as you go, the more experience you have, I've learned anyway. I think that's true. If that makes sense.

[00:14:25] The way you're talking, that's a very, not all of actors talk that way, but that's a very good point because sometimes actors can think they need to act.

[00:14:54] They just need to embrace the role and then present the role in the best way that they can feel they can. Yeah. I also found that research is very helpful. I don't know if you research your roles. Yeah. The other thing I'd say is research. Right. Prepare. Prepare. Learn your lines a hundred times, 200 times. So they're at the point of your subconscious. So they are available. So you don't have to reach for them. Right. When you work with actors, you can see that they're trying to think what the next line is. Right.

[00:15:24] We don't do that in real life, do we? We just, I'm talking to you. I have no idea what I'm going to say as it's pretty obvious, but I'm doing that naturally and that's what acting should be. So if you prepare enough, if you learn your lines a hundred, 200 times to the point of subconscious, you'll probably give a more natural performance. That's what I try and do in auditions, by the way. Thank you for your comments, but I try to prepare. So I am as natural as I can be, you know, within reason, you know. Right. That's a very important point.

[00:15:52] Not a lot of actors think about that when they're doing it. And granted, sometimes the auditions are such quick turnaround, especially for TV and series shows, co-star roles, guess what you've done a lot of work on. Sometimes it's hard to, you know, have the time available to memorize it many times for co-star roles and not a lot of lines, but it's good to be prepared. And be ready to do that performance. Do you find, how do you find this series?

[00:16:19] Do you find the series streaming roles different to prepare for versus film or how do you, do you see any difference there? I don't really. I mean, I see every part essentially the same in terms of what you, how you prepare, what you do, you know, so I don't see a difference really. I think you just be prepared as best you can and be as real as you can, you know, and don't be another thing I've learned is don't be affected by other people.

[00:16:48] Kind of do your thing because why they're bringing you there is because you've got something they like. So be that person. Don't think you have to be somebody else. Again, don't think you have to act too much. Right. Bring your thing, whatever it is, which is unique. Right. You've got something that's unique and bring that. I think acting, you know, the more you act, it brings that confidence to relax more into yourself. You know, I think a lot of very good points you're making, Aubrey.

[00:17:16] And I think it would be great for our audience that are able to hear these things. Do you, as your career has progressed and you are now a mature actor, you've been in a lot of different shows, you've done co-star roles. Obviously the next step is more guest starring roles and hopefully a series role at some time. Those are always the, on the television side of it or the streaming side of it. In your mind, is your goal to do more episodic work? Do you like films more? Does it matter to you?

[00:17:46] First, you know, lead roles in the film versus supporting roles in the film versus the series. I mean, obviously those are longer processes getting into feature film and indie films have gotten big now also. What are your thoughts about that? Any comments? Not really. Just to repeat myself. I mean, I think it's, I like to work. Right. So what I work is, I'm happy. I'm happy on a film set. There's no way I'm happy really. Right. If you, you want to work with good people and hopefully the more opportunities you get,

[00:18:15] the higher level you get, you'll get that opportunity to work with very experienced, gifted people, you know, and there's gifted people everywhere, but I just like to work. So I don't have any kind of snobbery or prejudice about it. You know, like I said, moments ago, there's no small part, but a small actor really, you know, you can have one line in a film and I've seen many films where this guy comes in for one scene and you never forget him. And there's a lead actor who gets on your nerves, you know?

[00:18:45] So it's like, right. It depends who the actor is in the part, really. Right. Right. And I always thought of you, you have a great character actor look, a great way with you that really stands out. Another actor who I'm kind of a little bit compared to, but he's very different, a little different technique is, unfortunately, the passing of Art Evans. I was at his memorial service just recently. And he was, you know, his big scene was the second Die Hard film.

[00:19:14] And he had a bunch of scenes in that film and it was great, but he's also done a lot of other big supporting roles. But he's just one of those people where you recognize the face, but sometimes the name maybe escapes you, but he's done so much great work. So being a character actor is really good attribute because it shows what kind of an actor you really are and how you can make many changes in different roles. Absolutely. And you can be kind of anonymous. I'd like to be the best actor in the world that no one's ever heard of. You know, so you could just be like an everyman character.

[00:19:44] Just right. So many things. I mean that in a way, because if you're kind of, you know, a star, then in a way you're kind of typecast, aren't you? In some sort of sense. But if you're a character actor, you can jump around and people embrace what you're doing each time, you know? Right. Right. No, it's a very good point. But if you've got a revolter or somebody, you know, you might feel constrained. I don't know. Aubrey, you're always a man of conciseness and few words.

[00:20:11] So I have to, I'm trying to pull a little more out of you, but it's, but it's, I love the way, cause I thought Aubrey was always very good at following direction. I think when, I think you're the kind of actor that a director loves because you just do what you're told to do. And I think some actors like to push back a little bit. And I think others, if it's better for you, to me, some of the work that I've done, it's better to listen to the director and proceed to give what they want versus

[00:20:42] there's nothing wrong in a scene. If you see something that might be a good suggestion. And if that, if that's a kind of show where you can do that, I think that's more, that's a little easier and independent film more than it is the series role or the, the big studio film. They have things pretty dialed in when you get into those types of sets. Yeah. True. And I think, yeah, you've got it. You're being hired. So you've got to follow the director's lead and respect and courtesy as well. Right.

[00:21:12] But sometimes if you're not given anything, you've got to trust yourself. So again, less is more sometimes in that. If you're not sure, like awesome. Well said, if in doubt, do nothing, you know, because why do something if you're not sure about it? You know, right. I think that's quite wise advice actually, you know, for an actor, because you just have to be in the moment and until you're sure, you know, don't, don't, don't go back to that acting stuff because you're nervous. You know, like, right, right.

[00:21:42] Do you, did you find that it was more helpful to, as you improved your craft and continue to improve it? Did you find it was more helpful to watch other actors do their performances and learn from other actors? Or do you prefer the theater teaching approach or, you know, some studios out here lean more on the craft in terms of the teaching the craft in a studio setting versus a film setting.

[00:22:10] Some do more film type teaching. And I just wonder what your perception is of that and how you prepare, how you prepared yourself over the, over the years you've been in the acting world. Well, again, you've got to trust yourself and why you're being brought to a film is because you have something unique that they want. So you've got to relax into that feeling to give them what you have.

[00:22:36] Otherwise, why do an impersonation of Robert De Niro when he's a better version of himself and you're a better version of yourself than he is. Right. And that's the beauty of acting is that everyone has something unique and can bring something. But in terms of film, it's interesting about film. I may be digressing, but we talked about this before that certain people you can go to an audition. That's why we used to do auditions in person all the time. Right. But not now post COVID and everything.

[00:23:04] But people sometimes don't seem to do a good audition, but on screen they're really compelling. Right. Right. And you said before, you know, that some camera likes certain people. Right. That's very true. You know, I don't know how that works, but that's interesting, you know. Right. Right. And then and self-taste near the good and the bad and the ugly of self-taste, so to speak, is it's allowed obviously casting producers and filmmakers to cast in a very wide net.

[00:23:33] On the downside, you don't get that, especially for series type activities, which are so fast, you don't get that in person. They do do Zoom work now, allow actors to do Zoom type work for certain series roles. That is an option many times. But the self-tape just you lose that ability and personal ability to kind of try and sell yourself, so to speak, and or let them see what you really like in person. So I think we do miss that.

[00:24:02] But the world we live in is what it is right now. And I do a lot of work with a director who only wants to see people in person. He doesn't do the whole self-tape routine. But if you look at the bigger studio films and the series, they like, you know, they're looking at a lot of people. So I understand why the self-tape process is something I like to do. I don't know if you have any comments about that. I kind of like it, to be honest. You do? I prefer it. Oh, yeah.

[00:24:29] Because it's so simple and you kind of think, well, here it is. Here I am. You know, judge me just on that. I mean, I know what you mean about meeting someone. You can sway someone maybe by your presence and they're going to think, wow, this guy is going to be very easy to work with or whatever it is. And that can help your cause in person. But I kind of like the simplicity of just doing it, you know, the way we do it and just get it out. You know, I see. Okay. So you actually like this. I mean, there's one advantage.

[00:24:58] You don't have to get in the car and go somewhere, right? Yeah, that's right. That's right. You're home and you can get it done quickly. And you just need a reader. And there's a lot of plug, you know, we edition. There's lots of apps out there that can be used to get self-tape readers, so to speak, on the app. And if you don't have the ability to get someone in person next to you while you're doing the self-tape. So having said that, absolutely.

[00:25:23] Having said that, I always get them, as you know, I take them professionally. So yes, you do. Right. Yes. I go somewhere to do the taping. You do that. That's right. Some people that is an option. Yeah. Some people do that. So that's halfway there. I kind of like that process. I see. Kind of. You're still getting an in-person feel. Yeah. Because you have a reader there and you have a professional looking set, so to speak. And something can happen in that moment, you know, that you wouldn't, might not happen at home.

[00:25:51] So you, so in a way I do like that, you know. Right. Yeah. I can, I can see that. And some actors, you know, it does cost money, you know, to do that. And as long as you have the available funds to do it, and you'll see many times where the, not all, but some will say, don't get to go, you have to go somewhere, you have to pay someone, but it does have an advantage in terms of the feel of being there. And the professional look of the, of the self tape. It doesn't make a difference. I don't know.

[00:26:19] I've had, I've got, we booked actors that have gone that route professionally. They booked, we have actors. We had one actor who booked a co-star role and this is us. This is several years ago. He was involved in court type stuff where he was translating different things. And it came with all those co-star roles that came like that. He had to get it in the next day, like 24 hours. And you're supposed to get 48, but he got 24 does happen that way.

[00:26:47] And he was at the courthouse and he had to duck into a courtroom office and he self taped himself as a one or two lines. There was no, you didn't have to have a reader. And he self taped it in the office, in the courtroom. Wow. And he booked the role. Isn't that insane? That's insane, but it's great though. It's great. But so you, you just never know. You know, some people say, well, just follow the process. Well, what is the process exactly?

[00:27:16] And that's a simplistic term of just do the work, you know, do the work and someone will see you. And we all know the numbers are what they are. We're not going to, we're not going to change those numbers. So you have to play that game or, or not. And it comes to the series roles and independent films. And, um, obviously networking is another great way to get roles. When you go out and about, we actually talked about that. Yeah.

[00:27:45] I don't do enough of it. I'm afraid I'm too. I know that's not a big thing, but that you do meet people that way. Yeah. And we have booked roles for our talent with people that I've met out and about. And I've also done this. Also the opposite has occurred. So it really, you know, kind of depends on, you got to do it all. Basically. There's no right or wrong answer to that. I don't know if you have any thoughts on that. Yeah. I agree with that.

[00:28:11] I mean, I'm joking about the British thing, but there's a kind of, I think the Americans are better at self publicity. Publicity. Yeah. And, you know, there are more opportunities for actors streaming and so forth, but you have more responsibility because it's swamped with actors, the modern world. Right. You have to do everything. Swamped. Swamped with creative. That's an interesting term. I'm going to remember that. Yeah. And so you have to do everything to stand out.

[00:28:40] And I haven't been to Instagram, but I promise to do it tomorrow. What's that? I've never been an Instagram, but I promise to do it tomorrow morning for us. Oh, you're going to actually set up an Instagram account is what you're saying. I'm going to do that. Yeah. Because. Oh, good, good. That's good to hear. Following your advice that you have to do everything you can. And we all live in the marketplace and acting. Right. Is the ultimate of that. So you can't. Like we've talked before, you've got to play the game and that's the those are the rules. Right. Right. Just get used to it. And I think.

[00:29:10] It used to be the big studio to dollar promotion. And that's not that does happen in the bigger films, obviously. But as an up and coming actor or someone who's been out there and doing things, it does help to have a social media footprint. I mean, some actors do themselves. All the sums have their agents and managers, but we don't we don't do that. Yeah, that takes that is a full time job just doing that. And some people hire people to do it. Right. But I think just starting out with a small footprint and get yourself on Instagram. We can talk more about that.

[00:29:39] And what are good things supposed to not the post? Just keep it clean. Keep it professional. Because they're neat. I was going to. It's casting. They are watching. They will look you up. Yeah. Yeah. Sure. So that that's definitely something that people need to be aware of. And Facebook or Instagram. And actually, Facebook might even be good for you, because to me, there's a little bit more mature market on Facebook. And there are a lot of casting directors and casting assistants that are on Facebook,

[00:30:08] that the younger side of it, the and you have do have a lot of assistants that do a lot of the cast. So they're on Instagram. Mm-hmm. So to me, we try and the fires don't tell. We try to cover both spectrums. Can I ask you something? Facebook and Instagram. I'm sorry. Can I ask you something the day after the residence? No, you may not. Okay. I'm leaving. I'm kidding. Go ahead. I was approached the day of this is example. On what? Yeah. I was approached the day after the residence network, right? Yes.

[00:30:38] By a publicist. Ah. They got in touch with me next day. It's like the sharks. Right. Smell. Maybe success or maybe not, but they smell it. Well, they're just trying to make a buck, you know, and I love publicists. There's a there's a place for publicists. We've used publicists in the past. And they usually do charge money, which is understandable. They need to make a living also.

[00:31:03] And I've never it's been difficult to gauge the what publicists do bring to the table in terms of results. You just don't know. You just have to trust that they if you get a good publicist to know what they're doing and they will get you out there in a bigger way. So I think publicists are great. You just have to pick the right one and decide whether the money that you spend is is beneficial or not. It's hard to judge, you know, the benefits. That's the only issue with publicists.

[00:31:33] You don't really know, but you're getting something right. And the good ones usually know what they're doing. So they're important part of the business. So I know that people have different opinions and various opinions of that. But, you know, it has what's changed a lot is the social media world has changed that a lot in terms of actors doing it on their own or they're paying the publicist to have an Instagram account and do it for them.

[00:31:59] So that is also done, especially with the bigger actors, because they're busy on set, you know, filming. Now they have time to go out and do all that work. Probably not. Some do. I believe some do it on their own. But I think some do use their staff or people they have with them to help them with that. We've covered a lot of ground. I don't feel we've gotten deep into Aubrey. Is there anything else you want to talk about? This is my good side.

[00:32:26] What may perhaps we could talk about what your aspirations are, what your dream is as you move forward in the business? Well, I just want to work more in good work. I'm happy on a film set. I like the group camaraderie of film. I love film. I've always loved film. I want to do more. I just want to do good work. I mean, beyond that, I want to be happy. And what does happiness mean to you?

[00:32:55] Well, being happy with my wife in a personal way and sharing a life. I think that's ultimately more important than what credits I have. You know, I think I'd like to feel that I'm I've got the right values, you know, about, you know, happiness and being a good person. I mean, there's you know, that's what I'd like to be a good person, a good husband, a good brother, a good client for you. Yeah, as well.

[00:33:26] And just to have a happy, interesting life. I mean, I'd like to produce films because I think we talked about this. I've got a lot of ideas and I'd like to be able to realize them in film, really. So I'd like to produce, but that's, you know, in God's hands, really right now.

[00:33:46] So when you say produce, you also have you say you have ideas you want to write also or you want to produce right someone write it for you or have a well co-write, right and produce because I think the two there are too many films, you know, like the films I watch when I was young, you know, the character dramas. I mean, on the waterfront, you know, they don't make films like that unless they're not so much anymore.

[00:34:12] No, it's all Spider-Man and kind of comic book heroes. Right. To get back to real kind of human drama. I think I know there are good films made, but they're often independent and a lot of people don't see them. Yeah. To get back to real human stories. I think that's what Hollywood needs to do. I see. And I'd like to be a part of it in a small way. Right. Yeah. But beyond that, I mean, what are your aspirations? I'm going to ask you. This is not about me. This is about you, Aubrey.

[00:34:41] Okay, pass the buck on me. Deflection. Yes. Classic. Not deflection. You're deflecting onto me. So I'm talking about you. But I think that last part you mentioned really. There's always some great things you said, because not a lot of people, you know, think that way all the time about being a good person. Yeah. And all those things you just talked about. It's what I believe. I mean, you know, I'm a person of faith as well, you know, and. I see.

[00:35:11] I think how you live is the most important. And, you know, that's I'd want to be a better person every day. Okay. You're better. Well, I think that you should then I'll do one more plug while we're talking. Mindatorium. They actually. We actually co-produced a bunch of films with them. This is before we knew each other. Right. And we had several of our younger actors in their films, and they got reels and all those things. We had some SAG actors in their films, too.

[00:35:40] And it was a great, great co-production. They were motivational, inspirational films. Right. So. Interesting. It's kind of a little bit up your alley. So we should connect with them and. And they're going to have an event, I think, next week, a small event. So maybe I'll invite you to that. And you get out and you can network with some people of like mind. What do you think about that? I think it's great. I did. Right. Am I shocking you? I'm shocking your system right now. I don't want to. I don't want to get upset or get too emotional about it.

[00:36:12] I'm kidding. That's a joke. But they. Yeah. We'll have to get that arranged. And they have sessions in there. You know, they're a little different from Hollywood. They're more of a kind of on the outside in terms of their focus is strictly motivational, inspirational, redemptive type films kind of following the hero. There's a bunch of bad people that try and distract them. And but then they eventually come through following motivational advice and those types of things.

[00:36:39] So because the gentleman who runs the company was is a professional motivational speaker also. He's dealt in that world. So interesting. Very interested in that. You know. Yeah. So is there anything else that you would like to talk about, Aubrey, about you, about your career? How do you wrap this up? Well, I'm kind to animals and I like children. And.

[00:37:09] I never forget Mother's Day. Mother's Day. Right. Yeah. Mother's Day is coming up. Right. Yeah. I like I write songs, actually. You do. I do. Yeah. And I want to record some songs. So. I'd like to. You know, get some interest in my songs at some point, you know. As well. Well, that's great. Well, that's good to hear. We're going to keep that mind also about this music side of you. I didn't realize you had that part of you.

[00:37:37] Well, gosh, we haven't seen so since you came. Have you seen so since you came on board? I think once after that, we got together. Yeah. Yeah. We got. I think we got together. We missed each other at the red carpet. Oh, yeah. That's the same. You were there at the WGA theater. I was the invisible man. The people you should get to know the director for that group. Okay. Yeah. I was the invisible man. I just. But I think a lot of actors actually in fairness in my defense.

[00:38:05] I mean, De Niro is quite shy guy. Right? No, you're right. There are a lot of actors. A lot of bigger actors who don't who are in. They they're not used. Well, it's a different world now for them to just like me going up and you. We had to adjust. But you if you don't adjust and the world can pass you by. Right? Yeah. Yeah. So but you're right about that. So actors love acting. So but the world's got changed a little bit. Right? So living in a media world. So you. Yeah. We are like my social media world.

[00:38:34] Social media world. So we are like minded in a way you just why you came into film. I'm sure the same way I did. Yeah. You want to you're interested in the work. The art. I love the film. I love that. And yeah, that's why I get involved in the business. Yeah. So everything else is kind of gets in the way, but you have to deal with it. Yeah. So I'd rather just work and go home and you know. Right. Quiet life. I'm sure that's not possible really. I wish it were that way now, but it's easy to do that. Yeah. Just like me.

[00:39:03] Sometimes I have to force myself to go out even though I might be my man cave. Even though I don't have a man cave. I admire the way you do it because I see you and you do it. You know, you're always publishing events and things like that. And I kind of admire that because the stamina to do that is. I don't know if it's admiration or just foolhardiness. I'm not sure which, but I do think I'm kidding. Kidding aside. I do think it makes a difference.

[00:39:28] And I think you have to balance that, you know, with your personal life and what time you have available to do that. Right. Can you do that? And part of what I'm doing. Well, you know, I'm a little different situation and people, some people that I know and that I'm single, I'm not married currently. And so my focus really is my business in terms of growing firestone talent. So that is what I love to do. So that's my love, so to speak.

[00:39:58] Now, at some point, you might have marriage. You're married to your company. In a sense, it's kind of weird to say it that way. But in a sense, I am. But I do love to get out and meet people. And I do like that part. But it has to be it has to be balanced with doing the work. Right. Yeah. That's always the challenge and where you spend your time and and do things.

[00:40:24] But it's important to find a good life balance, which is what you talked about. Sometimes. Otherwise, you know, again, as an actor, going back, you know, to acting is you've got to. You're showing yourself in some way. Right. You know, the camera doesn't lie. Right. So hopefully it picks up some kind of humanity in people, you know, when you see a great performance by Brando, you're picking up something and about him.

[00:40:52] That's right now, you know, and I think you do. You will come through on the screen, won't you in some sort of way? You know. Right. It's a good. Good point. Good point, Albert. Well, I appreciate I appreciate the time you took to come on today. And it was really a great conversation. It wasn't never what I expected to be. I talked to someone, whether it's you or Jerry or Mariana or Joe or others I've had on the podcast.

[00:41:21] My first podcast with the Sean Harmon, which is one of our great young and upcoming actors. And he's just so exuberant excited about. Well, I want to thank you. Sorry. I want to thank you for the opportunity because. No, you've stuck with it. You kept with us and to the good, the bad. And you've recently did the resonance fairly recently. And then you did the other one. We just. Sorry, it wasn't him. Yeah. All mankind, which is also a big show. So you really stuck it out and kept going.

[00:41:50] So we want to continue that and keep things going, no matter how the industry is doing or not doing. We need to keep things going. So we'll we'll take it from here. Thank you, Aubrey, for coming on board. This is Aubrey Wakeland with Firestone Talent. And we will have some things on there for you to look at from Aubrey. And we'll take it from there. Thank you, Aubrey. Okay. Take care.