Actor and Veteran Steve Hamm interview with Copa Style Magazine
Tell us about your upbringing?
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. My dad worked as a mailman and mom stayed at home to take care of me. They split up when I was around 10, so things were a bit rough for a while.
2. Why did you join the military?
My dad was in the Air Force for a couple of years. After getting out, he still had a fascination with the military. This fascination had a huge impact on me so I was interested as well.
During my High School years, I had to get a waiver to attend the same school as my friends due to the county zoning lines. There were several class options, including ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps). This was a military-themed class which could prepare students for the military if they were so inclined to do so. All of my friends had signed up so this was the obvious choice.
After graduating, I did decide to join the Army. As much as my dad wanted me to go to college, especially one of the service academies (ie: WestPoint(Army), Air Force Academy, Annapolis(Navy), but my grades weren’t up to par for those institutions. I also realized that I wasn’t ready for regular college life. The military seemed to be the most logical choice. In retrospect, I wish that I had kept my grades up so that I could have attended one of the academies.
3. When did you decide you wanted to be an Actor?
About six months before retiring from active duty service, I had a wild thought and decided to attend an acting workshop. I was living in Tennessee and found several in the Nashville area. I ended up choosing one called “The Actor’s School” run by Alan Dysert. He used to be a full contract player (“Sean Cudahy” on All My Children”).
The workshop consisted of performing various “Cold Reads” from major motion pictures. Being on stage, in the front of the camera, and acting out these scenes was so incredibly intoxicating. I realized, at this point, that this was something I wanted to pursue. The “Acting Bug” had bitten me.
4. When was your first break into acting?
I was scrolling through Facebook and sent a “Congrats” comment on a friends post regarding one of her recent bookings. A short while later, the Director of that project sent me a message asking if I would be interested in his latest project. He mentioned that the current Actor he had cast was unavailable all of a sudden and that I would be perfect for the role.
He sent me the script and said to let him know my thoughts. To make a long story short, I did accept the role. This was my first speaking role in an independent project.
6. What roles do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy playing various roles. I am well suited for military characters, obviously, but cop/detective, father, husband, business man. The list can go on.
7. What roles are you seeking?
I would love to play a detective in a gritty, dark type of murder mystery project-along the lines of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in “Seven”. I am also a huge horror fan.
On the flip side, I would welcome the opportunity to be in a Hallmark Channel/TV movie. I have seen a lot in my life thus far, so there is a lot of experience that I could bring to any character or project.
8. You’ve had a busy year. Tell us about your most recent projects.
Yes, it has been quite a busy year. I have been booked for two projects that will start filming next year.
One has a military theme, but I have signed an NDA, so I can’t say any more about it.
The other one is called “Serial Dreaming”. This is about two serial killers who find out that they work for the same company and, during their off time, try to kill each other. I met the writer/director, Lang Ross, on the Stage 32 website. He was looking for someone to play the other serial killer, and after watching my demo reel, decided that I would be the best fit. This character will be a departure from the usual roles that I’m considered for. I’m really excited to get this opportunity.
I have recently branched out into the voiceover arena, including establishing an account on Audible to do audiobooks. After a short time marketing myself, Author Ann Wilmer-Lasky offered me a deal to record her latest work “A Season for Sam Smith” This is a murder mystery set in the 1940s. Sam Smith is a private detective who has been hired to find a missing brother. There are many twists and turns that unravel along the way. This audiobook will be available early next year.
I have my own professional recording equipment including a “Rode” microphone, an Audient ID4 audio digital interface, and use Adobe Audition editing/mixing software.
9. What does the daily life look like for Steve Hamm?
Well, I’m an early riser-around 6 AM, unless it's my work week then I’m up by 5:30 AM. I’m a Lifeflight helicopter pilot and we work one week on and then one week off. This flexible schedule allows me the time to pursue all of my hobbies. After my morning coffee and a decent breakfast, I help get the kids ready for school. Afterward, I hit the gym and workout for about an hour and a half. After my workout, I come home, clean up, and have a healthy meal. I will then spend a couple hours either searching on casting sites for any available roles that I’m suited for, work on preparing for any upcoming auditions or prepare recordings for voice over projects. This will continue until around 5 or 5:30 PM. I will spend the rest of the evening having a healthy dinner and spending quality time with the family.
10. What would people be most surprised to know about you?
That underneath my tough exterior, I’m a very caring person. I enjoy playing golf and reading.
11. Has your military training influenced your acting?
Yes, it definitely has. The military taught me several values that are very important in the business of acting. Such as being on time, discipline, honesty, and integrity. The long hours and hard work prepared me for life in the acting industry.
12. Tell us about “Crisis in the Valley."
This was the project in which I had my first speaking role, it was directed by David L. Walker, of Walk-Starr Productions in Youngstown, Ohio. My character, Anthony King, was a white man married to a black woman. The synopsis was this family were members of the local church congregation and there were secrets that unfolded which ended up causing a huge “crisis”. This film contained some sensitive situations, harsh language, and racial slurs. As an Actor, I decided to take the role because it was outside of my comfort zone which enables me to give a compelling performance.
13. What is the biggest challenge of acting?
Simply put, rejection. The rejection rate in the acting business is 99%. You can be as prepared as possible for an audition. You can give the performance of a lifetime. In the end, based on numerous circumstances beyond your control, you won’t get the part.
Actor Bryan Cranston said it best. “Once you finish your audition, leave the room and forget about it. Don’t go into the audition room thinking you have to land this role. If you have the mindset that it doesn’t matter, you will feel more relaxed and improve your chances of getting booked.” Mr. Cranston also mentioned that as soon as he realized this and put this mindset into practice, he started booking more roles.
14. What have you learned about yourself while acting?
That you have to learn to accept who you are and develop self-confidence. We are all unique and it’s those traits that we have to use to our advantage. Don’t compare yourself to others.
15. What plans do you have in 2019?
Aside from the two film and audiobook bookings, I am getting married and having a new house built. Exciting times are ahead.
“Many thanks for this interview opportunity. Very much appreciated. Best wishes for everyone’s continued success.”
16. Please provide social media links.
www.stevehamm.org (Official website)
www.facebook.com/stevehamm.526 (Main FB page)
www.facebook.com/StevenPHamm05 (Acting Page)
www.twitter.com/SteveHammActor
www.instagram.com/stevehamm_actor
www.imdb.me/stevenphamm
www.youtube.com/channel/UCKw1H1hYX3D5D-VMsUjK6vA
Tell us about your upbringing?
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. My dad worked as a mailman and mom stayed at home to take care of me. They split up when I was around 10, so things were a bit rough for a while.
2. Why did you join the military?
My dad was in the Air Force for a couple of years. After getting out, he still had a fascination with the military. This fascination had a huge impact on me so I was interested as well.
During my High School years, I had to get a waiver to attend the same school as my friends due to the county zoning lines. There were several class options, including ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps). This was a military-themed class which could prepare students for the military if they were so inclined to do so. All of my friends had signed up so this was the obvious choice.
After graduating, I did decide to join the Army. As much as my dad wanted me to go to college, especially one of the service academies (ie: WestPoint(Army), Air Force Academy, Annapolis(Navy), but my grades weren’t up to par for those institutions. I also realized that I wasn’t ready for regular college life. The military seemed to be the most logical choice. In retrospect, I wish that I had kept my grades up so that I could have attended one of the academies.
3. When did you decide you wanted to be an Actor?
About six months before retiring from active duty service, I had a wild thought and decided to attend an acting workshop. I was living in Tennessee and found several in the Nashville area. I ended up choosing one called “The Actor’s School” run by Alan Dysert. He used to be a full contract player (“Sean Cudahy” on All My Children”).
The workshop consisted of performing various “Cold Reads” from major motion pictures. Being on stage, in the front of the camera, and acting out these scenes was so incredibly intoxicating. I realized, at this point, that this was something I wanted to pursue. The “Acting Bug” had bitten me.
4. When was your first break into acting?
I was scrolling through Facebook and sent a “Congrats” comment on a friends post regarding one of her recent bookings. A short while later, the Director of that project sent me a message asking if I would be interested in his latest project. He mentioned that the current Actor he had cast was unavailable all of a sudden and that I would be perfect for the role.
He sent me the script and said to let him know my thoughts. To make a long story short, I did accept the role. This was my first speaking role in an independent project.
6. What roles do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy playing various roles. I am well suited for military characters, obviously, but cop/detective, father, husband, business man. The list can go on.
7. What roles are you seeking?
I would love to play a detective in a gritty, dark type of murder mystery project-along the lines of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in “Seven”. I am also a huge horror fan.
On the flip side, I would welcome the opportunity to be in a Hallmark Channel/TV movie. I have seen a lot in my life thus far, so there is a lot of experience that I could bring to any character or project.
8. You’ve had a busy year. Tell us about your most recent projects.
Yes, it has been quite a busy year. I have been booked for two projects that will start filming next year.
One has a military theme, but I have signed an NDA, so I can’t say any more about it.
The other one is called “Serial Dreaming”. This is about two serial killers who find out that they work for the same company and, during their off time, try to kill each other. I met the writer/director, Lang Ross, on the Stage 32 website. He was looking for someone to play the other serial killer, and after watching my demo reel, decided that I would be the best fit. This character will be a departure from the usual roles that I’m considered for. I’m really excited to get this opportunity.
I have recently branched out into the voiceover arena, including establishing an account on Audible to do audiobooks. After a short time marketing myself, Author Ann Wilmer-Lasky offered me a deal to record her latest work “A Season for Sam Smith” This is a murder mystery set in the 1940s. Sam Smith is a private detective who has been hired to find a missing brother. There are many twists and turns that unravel along the way. This audiobook will be available early next year.
I have my own professional recording equipment including a “Rode” microphone, an Audient ID4 audio digital interface, and use Adobe Audition editing/mixing software.
9. What does the daily life look like for Steve Hamm?
Well, I’m an early riser-around 6 AM, unless it's my work week then I’m up by 5:30 AM. I’m a Lifeflight helicopter pilot and we work one week on and then one week off. This flexible schedule allows me the time to pursue all of my hobbies. After my morning coffee and a decent breakfast, I help get the kids ready for school. Afterward, I hit the gym and workout for about an hour and a half. After my workout, I come home, clean up, and have a healthy meal. I will then spend a couple hours either searching on casting sites for any available roles that I’m suited for, work on preparing for any upcoming auditions or prepare recordings for voice over projects. This will continue until around 5 or 5:30 PM. I will spend the rest of the evening having a healthy dinner and spending quality time with the family.
10. What would people be most surprised to know about you?
That underneath my tough exterior, I’m a very caring person. I enjoy playing golf and reading.
11. Has your military training influenced your acting?
Yes, it definitely has. The military taught me several values that are very important in the business of acting. Such as being on time, discipline, honesty, and integrity. The long hours and hard work prepared me for life in the acting industry.
12. Tell us about “Crisis in the Valley."
This was the project in which I had my first speaking role, it was directed by David L. Walker, of Walk-Starr Productions in Youngstown, Ohio. My character, Anthony King, was a white man married to a black woman. The synopsis was this family were members of the local church congregation and there were secrets that unfolded which ended up causing a huge “crisis”. This film contained some sensitive situations, harsh language, and racial slurs. As an Actor, I decided to take the role because it was outside of my comfort zone which enables me to give a compelling performance.
13. What is the biggest challenge of acting?
Simply put, rejection. The rejection rate in the acting business is 99%. You can be as prepared as possible for an audition. You can give the performance of a lifetime. In the end, based on numerous circumstances beyond your control, you won’t get the part.
Actor Bryan Cranston said it best. “Once you finish your audition, leave the room and forget about it. Don’t go into the audition room thinking you have to land this role. If you have the mindset that it doesn’t matter, you will feel more relaxed and improve your chances of getting booked.” Mr. Cranston also mentioned that as soon as he realized this and put this mindset into practice, he started booking more roles.
14. What have you learned about yourself while acting?
That you have to learn to accept who you are and develop self-confidence. We are all unique and it’s those traits that we have to use to our advantage. Don’t compare yourself to others.
15. What plans do you have in 2019?
Aside from the two film and audiobook bookings, I am getting married and having a new house built. Exciting times are ahead.
“Many thanks for this interview opportunity. Very much appreciated. Best wishes for everyone’s continued success.”
16. Please provide social media links.
www.stevehamm.org (Official website)
www.facebook.com/stevehamm.526 (Main FB page)
www.facebook.com/StevenPHamm05 (Acting Page)
www.twitter.com/SteveHammActor
www.instagram.com/stevehamm_actor
www.imdb.me/stevenphamm
www.youtube.com/channel/UCKw1H1hYX3D5D-VMsUjK6vA