Cole Stroud

Hello, everyone. I'm Andrea. The stories you will hear read in this room are scripts. Scripts from different lives. For those of you unfamiliar with storytelling or screenwriting. As actors, screenwriters, or producers, we are always answering the same question about our characters. Why, who, and what? And that's exactly what the people in this room will explore. Not just about characters, but about themselves. Because that is the story, the script of our lives. Before success, there were setbacks, before recognition. There were doubts. But what happens after? At some point, the people who entered this room all reach the moment we have been working toward. We make it in the industry. But what does making it really mean? Does success still have the same meaning? It had years ago when we first begin our journey? Or does this definition change along the way? This is the place where overnight success sometimes takes years to build, and sometimes only days where even the most successful careers still face uncertainty, expectations, failures, and new battles. Perhaps the greatest question is not whether we made it, but how. Our definition of success changes along the way. This is not an interview. It is a conversation between people writing the scene of their lives, people whose stories are still unfolding,

whose dreams continue to evolve and whose definitions of success keep changing with every chapter.

Today script is Cole Stroud's Story blend raw talent with a touch of humor and a great deal of courage, and you may end up with someone like Cole through the highs and lows of an acting career Built on trust, doubt, and ambition. Cole offers an honest look at the realities of Hollywood and the changing meaning of success. Because in the end, like all of us, he is simply searching for one thing happiness. It is now time for a conversation that stays long after the room.

My first question would be you started acting at a very young age. How has acting shaped the person you've become today?

I'd say I know how to read people very well. Um, acting is one of those things that you just. You have to listen to react. If you don't listen to react, then you're just reading lines. So, um, and everyone, you know, delivers lines differently and they have their own interpretation of what the line is. So it's really just listening and being in the moment and, uh, kind of just taking everything as it goes. You do all the work and then you throw it away and you bring the character to life by reacting off of what your partner is giving you. So I think it's definitely helped me being able to read body language and attitude and, um, lots of stuff. So it, uh, it's definitely helped me, um, kind of shape the way I act. And also, you know, it's why did this thing happen? And how did you come to this conclusion? And if the conclusion is not right, then you have to go back and realize like, what got you to that point of the conclusion? And if there were issues along the way, then you need to work those out and figure out what you can do to get a better solution.

But when you first got the acting bug, did you already feel that this could become your future, or was it simply something you enjoyed doing?

I think that I've always kind of been a performer. I've just been one of those guys that just kind of makes jokes. And, you know, I've been in the hallway more times than being in the, in the classroom. Um, just because I'm, I'm just a, I'm, I was the class clown for sure. Um, I just think that it was fun. I mean, acting should be fun. It should not be stressful or hard. Um, I mean, sometimes the material is difficult, but that's just something you got to work through. Um, unless it just doesn't make sense to you, then that's just not the right project. But, um, I think the acting bug kind of hit me back in middle school, and then my theater teacher at the time definitely pushed me to audition for Booker T Washington and Dallas. And once I got in, you know, I enjoyed theater as much and as much as I could. And then I, uh, you know, I, and I did all aspects from lighting and design to set building to, um, scene study and dance. We didn't have a, we didn't have any sports at the school, so we ended up, um, doing dance as our, uh, our extracurricular. Um, so it's kind of, uh, fully shaped me. Um, and I think that, I mean, nothing is for sure. And unless you try, you won't find out what the outcome is. So, you know, it's been a, it's been a struggle. I don't think any actor has ever had an easy time, especially someone that's moved out of town and not having family. And nepotism is a real thing. Um, of course, like once you're at the top, you want to work with the people that you've worked with in the past or just have good rapport with. So it's one of those things that, you know, you have to, you have to work a lot harder than nepotism, babies and people that are already in the industry or have a leg up because you are starting from ground zero and you know, you have to build your resume, you have to work with the right people. You have to, uh, just like hit the ground running way harder than, than people that are already in the industry.

Before you moved to Los Angeles, what did the city represent to you and did the reality match the dream?

I think everyone in the world kind of thinks that California is the I mean, first of all, it it was it was before Covid, the place to be because all of the casting offices are here, all the major casting offices are here. And if you want to work as a TV and film actor, you have to be where the casting offices are. And I've literally worked since middle school. I've gone to every single diction, acting class acting coach that I could work with in Dallas. Um, Katie Studios, Katherine Hart, um, Lynn Metric, uh, prediction. I mean, I've been, I've studied with so many people. Um, but then you move to Los Angeles and that doesn't mean anything because nobody knows the Dallas market because it's so small. And I think that, um, the city is awesome. L.A. used to be the coolest place to be. Um, after Covid, everyone closed their doors and is working from home now. So it's very much like you don't need to be in Los Angeles anymore. You could really live anywhere. Um, I have commercial representation in Austin and in New Mexico, as well as like San Antonio and Dallas. And I am grateful for the opportunities that I've been given and that, you know, I've been able to book in Los Angeles, but the city is just changed so much. The industry has just done a complete one hundred eighty. Um, when streaming started coming out, um, the reality is, is California is not cheap. They siphon your money any way they can and tax you on everything. Um, whenever you're coming from a place like Texas where everything is way cheaper, the way of living is just, you know, everyone in Los Angeles is living above their means. And it's hard to pursue a career in acting where everything is everything costs money. You have to pay for SAG, you have to pay for your membership dues. You have to pay for acting classes. You have to pay for literally everything. Headshots, voice over demos. Um, it's just it's nothing's cheap, but it takes money to make money. So until you try, you never will make anything your reality.

When you decided to pursue acting professionally, were the people around you supportive, or did some see it as another Hollywood dream that might just never happen?

Acting is one of those things that you just have to believe in yourself. And I've also had the most supportive parents in the world. Um, my family followed me to Los Angeles a year after I moved out here, so that has just been the most grateful thing ever. Um, to have family close. Um, I am moving to Austin, Texas soon and super excited about that, but I'll be living below my means finally and being able to save more, way more money. Um, and I'll still be able to come out to California and work here and stay with family and see family and, but it's, it's going to be nice to be in a smaller state and maybe a bigger fish that, you know, um, I can hopefully be seen and I'm working with great people and they trust and believe in me. So that's the name of the game. And, uh, I think that, uh, most people see moving to Los Angeles as a pipe dream. Um, it is very expensive out here. So you have to have the finances and you have to have the support behind you to make the move, unless you are just willing to almost be homeless and to try to make it work out here. but it's one of those things that, um, you know, if you have a supportive group behind you, like a family or a bunch of friends, or you even have people out here already, then you're going to be in a good place. But I can't tell you how many close friends I've had out here that I've thought that I'll be friends with forever. And, you know, something happens and you just don't even respond. You don't follow each other on Instagram anymore. And it's just after eight plus years, you think that, uh, you'd have your best friends in your life. And it's just, it's LA is much like that there. No one's friendly here. Everyone's on the hustle. Um, it's not cheap. So I mean, if it, if money isn't involved, it doesn't make sense to most people. And I mean, one of the, one of the most asked questions when you go out, um, for a drink or out to eat food is what do you do for a living? Um, that's like the number one thing because people want to see what they can get off of you. It's a very much a, a leeching, a leeching kind of city. People, uh, try to see what they can get off of anybody. And once they figure out that you're kind of worthless to them, they move on.

That was a very beautiful answer. Well, many inspiring actors believe they need an agent before they can really start their career. What was your experience before signing with one?

You can live really anywhere now. You don't have to be in Los Angeles. There are good coaches out here, but there also is a cult to the industry of just spinning your wheels in classes that are not cheap. Um, if you're not getting auditions, I mean, yes, training is training, but if you trust and believe in yourself to do the job and you know what you're doing without asking all these questions that make you look like you have no idea what you're doing, then you can get on all the casting websites and self submit and hopefully you get some projects. But when it comes to bigger projects, you have to have an agent and manager. And I've never been about submitting my materials to agents and, you know, on my knees trying to beg them to represent me. Um, I've gone about, uh, my way of finding agents and managers that most people don't know about, but it's kind of my secret. And it's just, it's, I've been able to find great people that trust and believe in me. And, you know, they watch my tapes and, um, my audition tapes and they're very, they're excited and they know that I'll book and it might not be this project, but it's going to be the next one. And if it's not the next one, it's the one after that. You know, it's just this, this industry is all about opportunity. And once you get that opportunity, you have to do your best at it. And that's all you can do.

You've been to acting school. So what did acting school teach you that you don't think you could have learned on your own?

I think acting school taught me a lot. I mean, I went to a performing arts high school, so I learned a very, very overall. I mean, I did set design, I did lighting, I've been black box theater. So you have, um, a stage all around you. Um, you need to know how to open up. You need to know how to listen and react. So there's a, you need to know how to read people and communicate and work with people. You need to know body language and just going for it. I mean, a lot of people are just, they're just used to being safe. And there's not a lot of, uh, not a lot of people that take the risk that need to be taken to be either seen or to portray the character that you're getting across. So it's one of those things where you just need to trust and have confidence in yourself as a person. First of all, actor and acting is just a title. You have to portray that character by doing all the work and then throwing it all away, because you don't know what your partner is going to do, and you can't foresee things that aren't there. So it's one of those things that you just need to, uh, listen and react is the best thing that I could say.

And is there one lesson from your training that still guides you every time you step onto a set? Something you'd like to share with with the audience?

I believe that you just need to be confident in what you're doing. I've seen numerous actors over the years that just get in a get in the room with a casting director or in a scene with me, and they ask more questions than just making that choice themselves. And it's not about asking for forgiveness or anything. You do what you know and what you want to do, because as soon as you start asking questions and saying sorry is when you people lose confidence in you and they think that you don't know what you're doing, and why would they want to work eight hours to twelve, fourteen hours on set with somebody that is just going to be a hassle to work with?

Now, everyone who follows you or knows you know your passion for food. It is no longer a secret once we scroll through your Instagram. Have you ever thought about combining that passion with your acting career?

I have thought about making videos, um, eating and, you know, doing food reviews and all that. And I kind of started doing that during Covid and I've had some good response and some people, uh, you know, are always like, I've hung out with old friends and they were like, hey, you need to continue to do those reviews. It's so cool. And I enjoy it a lot, you know? Um, and I think we're in that age, um, in that day and age where you have to create your own material, you have to be doing your own stuff, whether it's writing or shooting or creating something. Um, social media is like the biggest power tool ever. Um, we didn't used to have that back then. And, uh, and it sucks because, you know, you would be in an audition room with someone that's not as good as you performing wise, and they would get the job over you because they have more followers on Instagram because they do some something on Instagram that kind of catches people's attention. And now they have an audience. So.

Creating your material. That's gold. Thank you for that. Um, every actor experiences rejection, whether it's a callback that never comes or complete silence after an audition. Do you remember the first time you faced that? And how did you stay motivated?

I think everyone kind of has that realization that it might not happen. Um, but it's the motivation that you get from your agents and managers and the auditions that you get and the communication you have with them that kind of keeps you going. Um, I think everyone wants to drop out at some point. I mean, I've, I work with a lot of creatives in, in the creative, in the catering and events industry. And, you know, I have guys that have worked on Ryan Murphy Productions and they say that they're almost about to, you know, hang up the towel and just like they're auditioning and stressing themselves out over auditions that they know they probably won't get or, you know, and it's, it's a very difficult industry, especially when, uh, living above your means means spending all the money and working as hard as you can, um, to afford basic necessities. Um, but I think it's one of those things that you just have to have confidence in yourself. You have confidence in the team that you're working with and you just push through.

Do you remember the first time you faced that and why? How did you stay motivated?

There is a lot of silence when it comes to this industry. Um, I've had callbacks and almost booked some national commercials that could change the trajectory of my year. Um, and you know, you might lose it to someone of color or someone that's blonde or someone that has no eyebrows, you know, so you literally have no idea what you're going to get into. Um, you kind of just have to show up and be present in the moment. You have to, um, show them your side of things. And if they pick you, then I mean, it's very much a lottery ticket. Um, you do the best you can and then it's up to, you know, an ad agency, it's up to the director, it's up to the producers. And, you know, that's like at the end of the day, that's like fifteen people that have to all agree on the same thing. So it's very hard sometimes, but what keeps me motivated and keeps me going is my managers and my agents that, you know, trust and believe in me. And we have the communication that keeps things moving. And, uh, and the trust trust is huge. If you, if, if you're the one that is begging your agents and managers to do something for you, um, they're not going to, you know that you need to do it yourself. You need a right, you need to produce, you need to direct something yourself and, um, and show them that you're capable of doing that. I mean, somebody that's begging for something and showing nothing in return is not going to, it's not going to get very far compared to someone that is, you know, actively working towards their career and towards their future. So.

Once you started working professionally, what was the biggest challenge you faced and said?

I think the biggest challenge anyone faces, um, even whenever they work or they want to work is just nepotism. Nepotism is so real in Los Angeles and in this industry. And I mean, it makes sense though. I mean, anywhere you work, you want to work with fun people, good people, good friends and other people that you've worked with in the past give you good references. And, you know, it's just one of those things that it's, it's hard for someone that's not in the industry or doesn't have a leg up with their dad being the producer or their parents being old directors or, you know, starting an entire broadcasting agency or, you know, just being some something in the industry already and just starting from a clean slate. It's not always easy, but I think just, just being confident in yourself is the most key thing you can do for yourself.

Looking back now, was there ever a moment when you seriously question whether this path was the right one for you?

I think everyone kind of has that realization that it might not happen. Um, but it's the motivation that you get from your agents and managers and the auditions that you get and the communication you have with them that kind of keeps you going. Um, I think everyone wants to drop out at some point. I mean, I've, I work with a lot of creatives in, in the creative, in the catering and events industry. And, you know, I have guys that have worked on Ryan Murphy Productions and they say that they're almost about to, you know, hang up the towel and just like they're auditioning and stressing themselves out over auditions that they know they probably won't get or, you know, and it's, it's a very difficult industry, especially when, uh, living above your means means spending all the money and working as hard as you can, um, to afford basic necessities. Um, but I think it's one of those things that you just have to have confidence in yourself. You have confidence in the team that you're working with and you just push through.

If you could go back and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

If I could give myself one piece of advice to my younger self, I'd probably say, just shoot your own stuff and create your own material. I think in this day and age, the most freeing and most rewarding thing you could do is probably connect with a videographer that knows how to shoot and edit content and just start creating. Um, YouTube has been the most creative space where you have free range of whatever you want to shoot content wise. And, you know, I've seen people on Instagram with millions of followers and all they do is freeze balloons and then cut the balloon with a knife, you know, but it's interesting, uh, it's interesting. And, you know, they shoot dye into it and then they break the ice and it just like goes everywhere. You know, it's like it's people are famous for popping balloons. You know, it's like people have made millions and millions doing the craziest stuff on the internet. And, uh, and to just wait for that one, hopefully national commercial that's going to hopefully take you to the next step is it's a, it's, it's definitely a waiting game. Um, the, uh, the motto in this industry is hurry up and wait.

I love the balloon lines. I think it's brilliant. Um, now, before we come into this room, we spoke about, um, you possibly returning to Texas in the near future. How do you feel about that?

L.A. will always have a place in my heart. I just think that, you know, living above your means all the time and living paycheck to paycheck is just not something that is exciting. And it makes this city very salty. Uh, you hear about Los Angeles people just not being friendly, and it's because everyone is on a grind here. Everyone has like twelve jobs. And to afford this place or as a partner or for roommates. And it's just that's not something that's exciting to me. I want my own spot. I want my own dog. I want my own place without having to rely on government assistance or my parents, you know? Um, so I think that Texas is going to be awesome because I miss the lake. I love being the country boy that I grew up being. And I miss fishing and, um, tubing on the lake and floating down the river and drinking beer with friends because, you know, we are all off and community is just so much better. People are happier if you're not spending an arm and a leg, um, working and then spending all that money that you made. Um, it just l a used to be so much more fun. And I'll always have a heart here. I have my family here so I can come back and visit. And that's why my managers want to still work with me here. So that's awesome. But it's just a place that, I mean, I would never raise a kid here and let alone have the income to put my kid in a private school, which I would have to do because the public schools are awful here. Um, so it's just there's so many factors, but, um, California is beautiful. You have the beaches, you have the mountains, you can go skiing and then like snowboarding and then you can drive to the beach. Uh, you can go for a hike all in one day if you wanted to. So it's got everything you would need. But it's one of those things like you want a pool at your apartment or your house, and then you never use that pool, you know? So it's just, it's one of those things where it's like, we have great weather. The weather is now humid and it's hot just like Texas. Um, it does get cooler at night, which is nice, but I mean to be paying an arm and a leg and, uh, it's just it eventually it just doesn't make sense. Whenever you can get so much more for your life literally anywhere else but here.

In the industry. Very often. Everyone wishes the best to everyone, but what does the best actually mean to you and at this stage of your life and career?

The thing about haters is the haters will congratulate you and they will see what you're doing and maybe not even congratulate you. I've had numerous friends over the years that, you know, I've been doing fun stuff, and I have someone random that doesn't even live in Los Angeles congratulating me and wanting me to do the best. And it's like, it's, it's nice to have people behind you that want the best for you. But there's also a lot of people, and most of them are your closest friends that, you know, they, they hate to see you winning because they aren't having as good of a time in life as you are right now. And that's unfortunate for them. But those are the kind of people you need to stay far away from. You want to have a good group that, um, wants the best for you in all aspects of life.

Well, Cole, thank you and I truly wish you the best. It was a conversation with Cole, and as always, I think this was a conversation that will stay with you long after the room. Thank you everyone.