My Journey into Acting: How Overtown Changed Everything

Back in 2023, I was at a turning point in my creative journey. I was making a name for myself in User-Generated Content (UGC) and commercials, booking gigs nearly every week—music videos, short films, you name it. But one opportunity stopped me in my tracks. A student filmmaker from Miami Dade College was casting for a short film called Overtown, produced by Al Skoke Entertainment in Hollywood, Florida. Something about it felt different, like it could be more than just another project.

I decided to go for it.

The Audition That Almost Broke Me

Walking into the audition room, I felt completely out of my element. This wasn’t like shooting my own content or working behind the camera. This was acting. And the energy in the room was electric—actors vying for attention, each trying to dominate the space in their own way. It was intimidating, but also fascinating to watch.

When it was my turn, they handed me the script, and I immediately felt a mix of excitement and terror. The role was Abel, a character inspired by Denzel Washington’s legendary Training Day performance. And yes, the script even included that line: “King Kong ain’t got s**t on me!”

Denzel is my favorite actor, so this felt like fate—but also a mountain I wasn’t sure I could climb. I stumbled through the lines, feeling every ounce of my inexperience. By the time I finished, I was certain I’d blown it. The room was silent, the casting team stone-faced. My instinct was to bolt, to leave before they could tell me how bad I was.

But just as I reached the door, I heard a voice: “Hey, where are you going? We want you to read a few more lines.”

Wait, what?

I turned around, heart pounding, and went back. They had me read more, gave me notes, and before I knew it, I was going back and forth with the script. Still, I walked out convinced I hadn’t made the cut.

The Call That Changed Everything

Days later, my phone rang. It was the director. “We loved your audition. We want you to play Abel.”

I couldn’t believe it. Me, as one of the leads? I was flattered, excited, and absolutely terrified.

A Crash Course in Acting

Fast forward to the day of the shoot. My nerves were through the roof. This was my first time being an actor on film—not just background or extra work, but a lead role. And then reality hit: I hadn’t memorized my lines.

I’d skimmed the script in the days leading up, but I hadn’t put in the work. Now, I was staring down long, uninterrupted monologues—two to three minutes of dialogue I barely knew.

With 30 minutes to spare, I locked myself in a corner and crammed. Somehow, I pulled it off. When the cameras rolled, I delivered. Was it perfect? No. But I proved to myself that I could handle the pressure. And the experience taught me a valuable lesson: preparation is everything.

Becoming Abel

Abel was unlike any character I’d ever imagined myself playing. He was intense, commanding, and complex—so far removed from how I see myself. But stepping into his shoes allowed me to tap into a side of me I didn’t know existed.

There were moments during filming when I doubted myself, moments when I thought, Is this really me? Can I pull this off? But as the scenes unfolded, I found my rhythm. By the end of the shoot, I felt proud. Proud of the work I’d done and proud of the risks I’d taken.

What Comes Next

Overtown was more than just a short film for me. It was a wake-up call. It reminded me how much I love storytelling—not just creating it behind the scenes but living it in front of the camera.

Since then, I’ve dived back into the world of acting. I rejoined platforms like Backstage and Casting Networks, ready to take on new challenges. I’m also exploring modeling and even producing my own projects. The possibilities feel endless.

But what excites me most is knowing how far I’ve come since that audition for Overtown. I walked into that room doubting myself, but I walked out with a role that changed everything.

This is just the beginning. Acting, storytelling, creating—it’s all on the horizon. And I’m ready to take it all on.