Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleq Bey.
Aleq, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I was the cliché introverted kid. It was singing that gave me a voice and a focus. If you ask people who grew up with me what I would be doing in life, they would have told you I’d be a singer. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t be able to ask anyone that question because I was a military kid; I didn’t stay in one place long enough to form any type of social bond. I ended up moving to Japan when I was about 14 or 15 and that’s where I got my first taste of the art of acting. The drama teacher at my high school had a scene from “The Phantom of Opera” that none of her male actors could sing; knowing I was a singer, she asked me if I could do it. I told her I would, but with the stipulation that I play the lead character in her production of “Fools.” She gave it to me and once I took the stage as “Leon Tolchinsky,” any ambition of being a professional singer had dissipated.
Since then, I’ve always had the desire to act, but lacked the courage to follow through with it. Fear is the biggest dream buster and it’s usually us, as human beings, who breathe life into the fear, talking ourselves out of the dreams our hearts tell us we need. No matter how much I tried to stick to my plan to be successful without acting, acting always found me. A Dawson’s Creek makeup artist sat at one of my tables when I worked at Apple Bee’s. I had no clue who they were, but apparently, I had “a look,” that was marketable. They gave me the contact number to a local agent who ended up helping me book my first role. After that, I put acting aside and joined the military. Ironically, the episode I had been booked on aired a week before I shipped out to boot camp. About a year after I joined I got a call from my agent requesting I audition for a TV project that was shooting in Virginia. Turning it down felt like someone had kicked the air out of my lungs but, I was serving my country, so it was worth it…not really. That’s just how I rationalized it.
I was seven years into my military career when I had the fork in the road, life-changing, do-or-die moment. Up until this point, I had done everything that I was supposed to do, but I was discontent with life. I had a career, money, a new promotion with another one around the corner and I still wasn’t happy. That scared me more than the pursuit of an acting career. It was then that I knew I had to stop playing it safe and take some risk. It was time for me to invest in myself. I had year left in the military, so I made the most of it, I took acting classes, wrote and filmed my own short films for my reel and I enrolled in college with a degree in film. My life finally had a purpose. To add to the excitement, I decided to not reenlist in the military and relocate to Atlanta, which is where I’ve been for the last two years.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve had a ton of successes, but there have been a lot of “dust yourself off” moments for me as well. I’ve had my car stolen, broken into, rear-ended twice and hit while I was parked twice. The night my car was stolen, I had to prepare for an in-person audition the next morning. Both times my car was hit, I was at auditions. One of those times, I was hit by an 18-wheeler, the other time I was hit by an Escalade. My poor car.
Going from making money consistently to not making money was also a struggle and an adjustment. As an actor, everything cost; reels, casting website, tapings, gas, headshots, acting classes and I was definitely spending more money than I was bringing in.
I came to Atlanta with a TX agent who was representing me. It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed an agent based in Atlanta. I submitted to 10-20 different agents and only two responded. I was happy with the two because you only need one, but unfortunately, their lack of interest in me made me second guess my talent. In short, I was riding “the struggle bus” for a while. A lot of the learning I did came from me falling on my face.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am an actor/storyteller/filmmaker. I’m known for my acting, but have the capabilities of switching hats. As an actor, I’m known for my dedication and commitment to the character that I’m bringing to life. I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’m still standing. I’m chasing my dreams, but there are still so many different avenues to explore. I also do taping services without the service; I don’t charge…we’re all actors, we’re all running the same race and if I can help someone else out, I do. I’m just glad I’m in the position to do it. The equipment I have for filming is top notch and guarantees a high-quality audition tape/film.
As a filmmaker, I’m completely collaborative. I have the degree and training under my belt to reinforce my value, but at this point, I don’t have the desire to venture into filmmaking completely. However, I enjoy collaborating with other local filmmakers on projects. Sitting down, talking shop and getting the groundwork started on projects we could both have a hand in. I think the thing that sets me apart from other companies/actors is my passion for the art of film. I’m not driven by money, yet the quality of my work doesn’t waiver. Whether I’m acting, taping an actor’s audition or simply collaborating, I lead with my heart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the food in Atlanta; it never gets old. There always seems to be a new restaurant to discover. I dislike the traffic; Yea, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aleqbey
Image Credit:
Bryan Chatlien
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