Meet Derek Crowe | Actor / writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Crowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, how do you think about risk?
I think taking risk is key in anything we do in life. Think about all of the greats that came before us. They were the greatest risk takers who fueled innovation and technology that helped create the luxuries that we enjoy today. In my own life I will say that making the commitment to move to California was one of my greatest risks. Accepting a new job in a location that I have never been to sounded crazy to most people back home, but I knew I needed to make a huge change in my life. That decision is what ultimately led me into acting which is something I did not expect at all. I am a big advocate for taking risks. It’s what allows the doors of opportunity to reveal themselves to us. If we are afraid to take action and remain in the comfort zone, then we will never grow. Joseph Campbell said it best, “The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek.” I love that saying so much because it is absolutely true. How many people never realize their potential and dreams because they never take action or are afraid of what others think? We all have the potential to achieve so much and in order to utilize that potential we must challenge ourselves to face our fears. I say take a chance on yourself and embrace the possibilities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My primary creative release is acting. I really love the opportunities and freedom it provides. I am able to leave my world for a moment and become a different person. Looking back, I remember as a child I was never really sure about what career path I wanted to pursue. I juggled a lot of different ideas, but acting has allowed me to be all of these things even though the roles are temporary. I enjoy the process of learning who a character is and allowing the script to leave clues for me to discover. When preparing for a role, there are these little breakthrough moments of enlightenment of who the character is, and I love it when that happens. It’s almost like a self-discovery experience. I am most proud of the work I have put in these past 10 years. I started this from scratch and did not know anything. But over the years I have studied and trained and booked films and commercials. I very proud of the fact that I get to work with other creatives and film makers who have a passion for storytelling. Growing in this community is an experience in itself. I find myself meeting interesting people all of the time and have made some lifelong friends. It’s fun seeing my people on the big screen or on a TV series or commercial. I always get excited when I see someone I know because I know the road they have been on and how big of a win it is for them. starting out, it was a challenge, but I think once I made the decision, the rest came naturally. Starting out I had no idea what I was doing, and it wasn’t easy, but I stuck with it, and I have found it to be very rewarding. I will say the greatest challenge I have had to face is my own mindset and self-doubts. This is an interesting industry, and it takes grit and commitment. There is a lot of “No’s” to be had but you can never take anything personal. I view every audition as an opportunity to act. I love the art and that is what has allowed me to stay committed. I have learned along the way that you must love it for the sake of the art, not financial gain. In the beginning, you will be working for free and if you do not absolutely love it, you will probably not last long. I think what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. Raising a family and working a full-time job does make this a little more challenging, but I make sure that others know that they can depend on me to show up on time and be ready. It takes a lot of people and resources to make a film and we all must do our part. Productions put a lot of faith and trust in the people who are cast, and they have expectations that the actors will bring the role to life and make the production the best it can be. In this industry, reputation is everything and I want to ensure that my reputation is a good one that tells people that they can count on me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For friends who visit me in Los Angeles, I would most likely try to take them to places that really capture the spirit of Southern California. Just by driving around you can see a lot of different things like movie studios and the Warner Bros. water tower for instance. Universal Studios Hollywood is a great place to visit for rides and a behind-the-scenes movie magic experience. I always have a good time there. I love comedy so I would suggest that we hit up the Comedy Store or Flappers and enjoy some stand-up comedy. Then maybe we cruise through Beverly Hills to see the palm-lined streets, luxury shops on Rodeo Drive, and maybe spot a celebrity or two. Being on the West coast I would definitely take them to see the beach. The beach culture is huge here and has a lot to offer. Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu are all great. The Santa Monica boardwalk, street performers, and Muscle Beach are all interesting to see. I really enjoy the Olympic style rings there. Prior to moving to LA, I took a trip to Santa Monica and stayed at the Georgian Hotel right off of Ocean Ave. That is when I really felt the vibe of LA and became more interested in moving here. And soon after that trip I did move here. If my guest wants a chill day, then of course Malibu Beach is perfect for relaxing by the ocean and grabbing a bite at beachside cafés. I also enjoy getting out of the city and heading into Slow Cal. The landscape there is amazing and is very comforting in a way. Maybe it’s the countryside that comforts me. And for an unforgettable adventure, I would suggest we take a weekend trip to Yosemite National Park if they have never been — it’s a few hours away but well worth it for the waterfalls, giant sequoias, and epic mountain views. I have had the privilege to visit Yosemite a few times now and it is always so breathtaking. I think Southern California has a lot to offer anyone and it just depends on what they are into.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is a great question. With out a doubt, I would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement from my wife Holly Crowe. When I first met her, she was an actress in New York. At the time I was really into music production and would play guitar and compose beats and write songs. Back then she was trying to get me to move to Los Angeles. She saw so much potential in me that I had no idea was even there. I feel like she put me on the right path for my career. She knew I was an artist and knew I could do a lot. Holly once told me that all I had to do was believe in myself. Of course, at the time when she said that to me, I had no idea what that meant. Really. But now that I am on this path of being an actor and doing the work and seeing some good results, I myself believing. Looking back, I now understand what she meant. It’s a feeling and a knowing that you are on to something good and that it feels right and the possibilities are always there.

I would also like to give a shoutout to the community as well. The one thing I love most about this career is the people I get to meet. The people who have a passion for storytelling and creating. They are all living life and doing their thing and building empires for themselves. It is very fascinating to witness. I really enjoy the journey and growing with others and seeing them get the wins. It is a very supportive community that allows you to be free and true. Shoutout to all of the directors, casting directors, producers for giving me the opportunities. And shoutout to all of my instructors and coaches who have helped me develop my craft.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekecrowe

Image Credits
David Jeremy
Vince Garcia