You Can’t Stop Ronnel Parham
“My motivation, simply put, was that I had a story to tell. A story that many would get and can relate to. A story that would hopefully inspire others to tell their stories.”
November 1st, 2021
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MODERN ACTOR TODAY?
A modern actor is one who adapts to this ever-changing industry. A modern actor is one who pursues their dream in whichever way possible, whether it is in front of the camera and/or behind the camera as well.
What a lot of actors don’t know is that working behind the camera can actually make you a better ACTOR. Getting valuable experience behind the camera will make you a stronger actor. A stronger modern actor. That said, that’s not the path for everyone. But to be a modern actor, you have to work 10x harder to become successful as actors in previous times.
YOU’RE A HUGE PROPONENT OF CREATING YOUR OWN WORK. CAN YOU TELL US WHEN THAT LIGHTBULB WENT OFF AND HOW IT CHANGED YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER?
The moment for me came back in 2017. As for most of us actors, we’re constantly auditioning and hearing little to nothing back. That part of it, I came to accept. But what really started bugging me was the language of the auditions I was receiving. I typically go out for a large range of roles. I’m typically one of the African-American guys they called in for the “all ethnicities” type of roles.
But when I would read the breakdowns and then read the sides, it was extremely hard for me to connect to these characters. It was hard for me to connect because it wasn’t at all how I talked or how I experienced life.
Now I know our jobs as actors is to personalize the material, but I got to a point where I wondered what it would be like if I wrote and created something that sounded like me and more people that I knew? That’s when the lightbulb truly went off.
A producing partner of mine brought a short film project to me and asked me to act in it and help him produce it. Being on set that weekend changed my life. I went from being an actor on set a week before to being an actor on set and one of the executive producers who the director and other actors were coming to with questions and for the final say.
It’s quite an experience when you go from being on set as an actor to being the guy or one of the guys the director looks at after each take to see if we’re satisfied and happy with the take and how things are going. In short, from there, 5R Productions began. The name comes from myself and my 4 other siblings, with all of our names beginning with the letter “R.”
A still shot from “The Brothers”
YOUR T.V. SERIES “ODD MAN OUT” WENT ON FOR TWO SEASONS AND WON COUNTLESS AWARDS. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT CONSISTENCY WHEN CREATING THESE PROJECTS AND WHY DO YOU THINK MOST ACTORS STRUGGLE WITH IT?
Two seasons and counting! I have some really good things going on with Odd Man Out: The Series. Lots of moving pieces, but I’ll be making some announcements and sending out press releases soon!
I honestly couldn’t be more proud of Odd Man Out: The Series. It was my first project that I created from the ground up on my own and watched it blossom into an amazing show.
I created, wrote, produced (with the help of a few others), cast, was the music supervisor and also the lead actor of the series. The show is loosely based on my life and my experience as a black man in America. The series is still winning awards and we are still gaining partnerships with companies that want to showcase what we’ve done so far.
I believe the most difficult part in being consistent with your projects is the financing. It’s the elephant in the room, or at least one of the elephants, that’s always there and you have to figure out what to do with it.
A lot of actors don’t have the funds to create their own projects. In the business today, it’s all about production value. Maybe some years ago you would be able to get away with shooting something low budget and your viewers being okay with it looking low budget. But now-a-days, you have to really grind to make your projects look and sound amazing.
It is so many moving pieces that on top of everything going on in the average actor’s life, taking on the responsibility of shooting their own stuff just isn’t feasible for most. Trust me, I get it. My motivation, simply put, was that I had a story to tell. A story that many would get and can relate to. A story that would hopefully inspire others to tell their stories.
Pure happiness, a sense of accomplishment on all of our faces. We had just wrapped on shooting Season 1. None of us knew what this “web series” would become. If people would dig it. Yet, here we are in 2021 still winning awards, further developing the show and….
SO ONE OF THE MYTHS OUT THERE IS THAT PRODUCING YOUR OWN MATERIAL IS EXPENSIVE— YOU’RE SAYING THAT’S TRUE?
I feel that’s a catch 22. When shooting your own projects, you have to decide what’s expensive to you.
As I alluded to before, it’s all about production value these days. People would rather see a not so good story with amazing production value than a really good story with bad production value. Your reputation is everything in this business and in life honestly. You don’t want to have the reputation as a filmmaker with good ideas but shoots bad looking and sounding stuff. You won’t be taken seriously if you’re ever trying to get meetings and pitch your ideas.
As you become more experienced in filmmaking, you’ll figure out where you need to put most of your funds and where you can somewhat cut a corner without the audience knowing.
Filmmaking in general is not a cheap process.
You don’t want to cheat yourself and you don’t want to cheat the art of filmmaking by producing things of low quality. Find other like-minded people who are focused on producing content. At first, you’ll likely have to put out your own money to get things shot and finished. But as you continue in your journey, there are grants, sponsorships, partnerships, etc., out there that will help you finance your project.
But, your materials (scripts, pitch deck, trailers, etc.) have to be really strong if you want someone else to pay for your projects.
Ronnel’s got style and a sharp sense of humor. Keep Pushing. #weworking
@5rproductions
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER METHODS TO STAY CREATIVELY ACTIVE THAT DON’T HAVE TO DO WITH ACTING OR ENTERTAINMENT?
I’m a people watcher. I like to observe people in their natural elements. I also work with individuals with disabilities so I observe them constantly. In a way, watching people gives me ideas for storylines. I add many things to the characters I create, simply by observing and watching others in different situations. I’m also an avid reader. I don’t just read screenplays, I read a variety of things.
Reading very much helps me stay creative. Getting lost in another person’s world through their words inspires me tremendously.
“But to be a modern actor, you have to work 10x harder to become successful as actors in previous times.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THESE DAYS?
It may sound cliche, but I’m excited about the journey. I’m excited about the number of different ways to stay creative and do what I love. I’m excited by the many opportunities that continue to come my way in acting and creating.
I’m excited to continue to get better in all the areas of the business. I’m excited at the chance to create something that can change someone else’s life or inspire them to tell their story. I’m excited about pursuing this art and staying locked in throughout the journey.
ANY RECENT BREAKTHROUGHS ABOUT GETTING INTO CHARACTER OR THINGS THAT HAVE RECENTLY CLICKED FOR YOU?
I started working more on Shakespeare in one of my acting classes. I’ve performed Shakespeare years ago Off-Broadway in NYC, but I never actually studied Shakespeare. Studying his words, the use of his words through iambic pentameter, the meaning behind his words, have allowed me to have a breakthrough when breaking down text/scripts in the versions we receive in the modern-day. Studying his work has allowed me to be more intentional with my work.
To work from an objective, to personalize material physically and psychologically, it’s been great to work this way when I receive and/or create material.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING ACTORS?
My best advice for aspiring actors is to become an actor for the right reason.
Do not get into this for all the wrong reasons— fame, fortune, popularity, bragging rights, etc.
Become an actor because you can’t go a day without thinking, breathing, living as an actor, and pursuing what you’re meant to be doing. You’ll know that this is truly for you when it eats you up to your core when you’re not pursuing this talent—and you’re doing something else with your time.
It’s a hard business, no doubt about that. Have many side hustles, many ways to support yourself during this journey. When it seems like nothing is going on or nothing is happening in your career, that just means it’s a moment to figure out what you can get better at. Figure another way, in addition to acting, that this business needs your talent.
See you all at the Oscars!
Connect with Ronnel Parham On his Instagram and IMDb and on Twitter
Represented by: Pantera/Murphy Agency and Gina Stoj Management and Posche Models & Talent