Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan McClure.
Hi Bryan, 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?
I always like to say that my story as an actor started in college when I was looking for a summer job. I saw this thing online that said make money acting, so I filled it out. I completely forgot about even doing this until about a year later when I got a call out of the blue. The call was to come to a commercial audition. I remember saying to my roommates at the time, “I think I’m getting a prank call.” Ultimately, I decided I was going to go to the audition. It was at this warehouse and I thought that maybe this was it. Maybe I get kidnapped or something 🙂
but it turns out it was a legit audition and it was for Windstream communications. I would actually go onto book this commercial.
Everyone on set was so nice, I had such a fun time, and there was this artsy vibe from a lot of people there who are just there create something together. Also, it was craft services (the snacks on set), which I loved.
Ultimately, I got bit by the acting bug there.
That initial phone call that I got had come from a local talent agency in Omaha, NE, where I lived at the time. I would tell them after the fact that I would love to be considered for more things. Little by little I got opportunities as a background actor in things, commercials, industrials, and other various film related things. I was thirsty to get my hands on whatever I could.
About that time there was a group that was forming called the Omaha film group. I joined that and attended as many of the events as I could. Through the group, a film from Los Angeles came to town and held auditions at the Omaha film group location. That film was called April showers and it would eventually become the first feature film that I would book. I got to act opposite Tom Arnold and the film made me SAG-eligible (eligible to join the actors union).
Additionally, I was reading and working through the book “The Artists Way”. I’ve talked about this book a lot with a lot of people in my journey, but this book really helped me in so many ways, including my relationship with God. Through it, I began to see God’s guiding hand in my life that I hadn’t seen before. It was like a veil has been lifted. With these things developing in my life, I felt like God called me on a journey to pursue acting professionally, so I made the decision to move to Los Angeles and it’s been a 16+ year journey now.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I feel like very few people who walk this path in the entertainment industry have seen a smooth journey. From financial challenges of pursuing the life as a professional artist, two moving through two different strikes recently, Covid, the threat of AI taking our jobs, and a massive amount of production going overseas, his journey is not for the faint of heart. Additionally, the auditioning process can be really hard on people if they don’t have a thick skin. I remember the year that I had the most auditions I ever had, which was about 160 auditions if you include my theatrical (tv/film) and commercial auditions. Of those auditions, I booked three. That means I got 157 no’s. You really have to learn to love the auditioning process and you can’t look at the numbers. If the role is for you, it will come back around. All you can do is show up and do your best. Control the things you can. Mindset and readiness.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’d probably say at this point I’m most known for being an actor. In recent years I’ve started developing talent as a writer and producer, and directed a little bit. Additionally I help coach actors with their auditions. And being an artist
in general, I also on a graphic and web design company. So I guess you could say I specialize in quite a few things.
It’s hard to pinpoint what I’m most proud of, but there is a number of things that I’m proud of. Some including som of the lead roles I’ve had the pleasure of taking on, such as my role in the film “In Other Words” and “Wedding at Keestone.” Also the feature film that I”m currently developing.
I think what sets me apart from others is God and my genuine love for others.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
A lot of people like to ask how to get into acting what the first thing they should do is. The most frequent thing I recommend to people at the very beginning is getting in classes. If you want to be an actor and you don’t know how to act, you don’t have much to sell. If you can conventionally portray a character and carry a story, then you have something that an agent wants to invest time in trying to sell and a producer is more likely to want to buy. This is a business. The entertainment business. You have to also be business minded if you want to succeed. You are the product here. How are you marketing the product? Is your product quality (back to the skills acquired in classes), who knows about you and your product? If you’re the best actor in the world, but nobody knows about it, how are you going to get booked on something?
It’s truly a marathon and not a sprint.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imdb.me/bryanmcclure
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanmcclure/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActorBryanMcClure/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanmcclure/
- Twitter: https://x.com/bryanmcclure
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bryanmcclure
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bryanmcclure5
