Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Lloyd Preston.
Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Huntsville, AL, by way of Meridianville, AL. Being a poor, ethnically ambiguous kid made me feel unnoticed and insecure about who I was and what I could bring to the table. My mother was a single white mother raising three black children. I didn’t know what I wanted to be or what I was capable of doing, but I didn’t want to be poor and I didn’t want to be invisible.
I was always was interested in acting, since I was five I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle and was performing scenes along with the cartoons and films in the living room when we stayed with my Grandmother and Grandfather outside of the city. Shortly afterward we moved to the city and I got into football and did only sports until the end of high school. But, I was reintroduced to the idea of performing because I went to see a play that two friends and members of the football team were in and caught the bug and knew that my interest was peaked again.
I never thought I’d be an actor because I was always being told that I had the voice for radio but not the face for television. The bug bit me in college during my freshman year while I audited a vocal training for the actor class at the theatre. Fast forward, I finished at Alabama State University, I have won awards, National accommodations, and a craft that no one could take for me or belittle. It felt good being accomplished in that way. I earned respect for myself, and I loved it. After moving to LA and performing many shows and skits. I was stoked to be in a place where my craft, skill, and experience could grow. I keep a list of all of the things and people that I have come across and done, and it always brings me back to the thought of how far that I have come and also what is ahead of me. Those people, those experiences made me who I am that help build a lot of the things that I love about myself and I am forever indebted to them. I moved to the west coast pursuing the dream and I’ve been acting in movies, tv shows, and I even started my own company, which I predicted that I would 15 years prior while in school. I’m building my own production company to produce the stories I want to tell. I hope I can be for a kid what so many actors of all colors and cultures have been to me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a challenging path, but I gotta admit it has also been a path of connecting to people who showed me that I am more than my struggles. I’m from Huntsville, Alabama and I mentioned that I grew up poor. I was ashamed of myself because people made me feel like I was a mistake because of my parents. Kids, adults, people who didn’t even know us always looked at us and judged us and intentionally messed with us to amuse themselves. We were the focus of their racial anger and hatred just because we were there. I wanted to leave every day. Once outside though, I was bullied in my neighborhood a lot. I didn’t want to be at home because mom had to work, no father and my brother and sister needed someone to watch them. The only kid thing about my childhood that I kept for myself was football. I was afraid to go outside sometimes because every day was a reminder that I was different and that I might have to fight to keep other kids/people from messing with me or my family. I got into a lot of fights.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have worked on Vimeo VOD, Hulu, TubiTV, AmazonPrime, etc. My company Gold Piece Films LLC., has content on the YouTube Channel, GoldPieceFilms. I am currently working on some projects to pitch to studios for financing, it’s a lot going on. I’m just trying to stay busy, stay working and active in building the craft. A brand that hopefully takes my name and likeness to a new level.
I am very proud of the fact that when I look back since I was a child, it’s been my dream to do it and I legitimately am working towards the strong possibility of making it to the highest level. I have worked tirelessly and consistently just to have the opportunity. It’s too late to turn back or change now. I made a promise to one of my grandmothers that when I get a major award that I will give her that shoutout whether she is here or not. I plan on fulfilling that promise.
That’s the thing that sets me apart is that I am relentless. I will achieve goals that I have made at everything. It takes a lot to be that determined but I think I have a real good chance at making it happen for myself. I owe it to my family, I owe it to myself.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can feel free to reach out to me via social media. @The_AndrewLloyd for most platforms. To any creators out there, please feel free to contact me, I am looking to collaborate with all that Atlanta has to offer.
Image Credits
1. Quinton Thomas 2. James M. Black 3. On set photo for “The Row” 4. James M. Black 5. @theunrealartemus 6. BTS @The Geffen Playhouse – Table Read for Shaka Senghor Project 7. Still from the Live Action Short “Sins Of A Father” Dir. by J. Spacoli
