Meet Travis Land | Actor and Filmmaker

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

Hi Travis, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Some careers are sought out. I think it’s the reverse for artists; we don’t seek to be creatives, it’s just in us. Even when we stray, creative work always finds its way back to us.

I’ve always been artistic, and my goals have always reflected that. I started as a musician as a kid, and my dream was to be the baddest metal guitarist alive (a life I still wouldn’t say no to).

I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve spent most of my professional life being creative in some capacity. Even when I’ve taken “detours,” (Marine Corps, print production manager), it was always a means to get back to working in a creative capacity. Most of my work life had been spent doing photography and graphic design, then later commercial video production, so I’ve been really lucky to get to be creative and pay the bills.

I came to acting and filmmaking a bit later in life (age 41) via a happy accident. I’d never considered acting until a friend had taken some acting classes and asked me to shoot a short film she’d written. This inspired me both to write a film I’d had an idea for years before. I was going to “take a few acting classes” with the idea of making a trailer to shop the film (of course knowing nothing about this industry). This unearthed a hidden passion that I had no idea existed. In a short time it became all I wanted to do, and I turned my resources, time and energy fully toward acting, filmmaking and screenwriting.

Honestly, it’s been equal parts drive and naivety that have kept me going. I’ve had my own business before, so the drive allowed approach getting traction as an actor the same way I went about getting clients. While it can be a slow process, I feel good about the progress I’ve made. The naivety is a huge asset, because it helps me ignore the nay-sayers who never miss an opportunity to remind us actors about the impossibility of our goals.

Ironically, it was during the shutdown of 2020 that I was able to grow the most. With literally nothing else to focus on, my friend Louise Latham and I decided to found a film production company. Even as the world has somewhat returned to normal, I’m maintaining that focus, and while I’ve still got a ways to go, so far it’s all heading in the right direction.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Acting aside, I’m really a writer. I love to tell a story, whether it’s fiction for screen or articles for a magazine. And if I get to bring the characters and story to life, either behind the camera or in front of it…it truly doesn’t get better than that. Acting is really another vehicle for me to tell a story.

An early mentor told me never TRY to be original; if the work is in my language and my voice, the originality will happen on its own. What probably sets me apart is I like to mash unexpected elements together. I know my stories tend not to fit very neatly into boxes, but then again neither do I. The work that has influenced me is pretty eclectic, so by nature, my stories tend to have unusual pairings.

Just like any business, persistence is the key. The advances I’ve made so far have just come from an unwillingness to give up, and getting my work and my face in front of as many people as I can. There’s probably a little bit of nerve there to; being willing to contact someone even if they are a bit “out of my league.” While certainly not easy, it’s good to remember it just takes that right email at the right time to get a meeting, representation or a gig. You never know when the stars will align.

People always talk about the rejection in Hollywood, but in truth the killer is silence. I’ve often joked “I don’t even rate a rejection.” So overcoming that is really more about being persistent enough to keep going, even when it seems futile, and maintaining that innocence at the same time. The biggest lesson for me in this or any other endeavor is always work as if the desired outcome is a forgone conclusion.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depends on “my” city. My zip code may be San Diego, but my heart belongs to LA! So here goes! The visitors that I’ve had tend to be from the rural midwest, so needles to say Southern California is NOT something they are used to.

San Diego:
I think it’s a city ordinance that you’re not allowed to leave without eating Mexican food, especially fish tacos.

What many people don’t know is the Asian food scene here is killer. RakiRaki is the best ramen outside of Tokyo (and honestly, my favorite place in San Diego period). Of course, we we’ll get some sun at one of the million beaches, especially Mission Beach so we can break our necks on the roller coaster. Catch the end of the day at Sunset Cliffs, then maybe appetizers and drinks at Mr. A’s, to soak in some views of the city.

The SD Zoo and Balboa Park for some wild animals and art from around the globe. While there, a stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden (that’s somewhat hidden) and ending with tea at the cafe near the entrance. Head to C-Level on Harbor Island for some great food and one of the best views in San Diego.

Finally, we can work off all the food by heading to Torrey Pines Reserve, and taking a hike among the many trails that hug the cliffy coastline at one of the most beautiful spots in the world. If cycling is your thing, my favorite place to ride is the Camp Pendleton Bike path off Las Pulgas Road. The entrance there allows for a nearly uninterrupted ride to the Orange County Line, with a stunning coastline on one side and a glimpse of US Marine life on the other.

Los Angeles:
The most hole-in-the-wall of hole-in-the-walls, IndeMex Eats at Santa Monica & Cahuenga is not to be missed. For all of the swanky, cool and artsy eateries that LA has to offer, this is without a doubt a hidden gem in Los Angeles.

A trip to the Getty is always a hit, but the real art lies in the most random places in LA. Just looking around, you’ll find on just about every street a store, house or otherwise everyday building that has been adorned with SOME flourish that makes it unique. Whether in a tourist area or just a side-street trying to get around traffic, there is some form of art EVERYWHERE in LA. Nevermind the fact that you may randomly see some iconic place or house from your favorite movie, even when you’re not looking for it.

You may or may not see a famous person while you’re here, but there’s a good chance you can see their cars! The Peterson Auto Museum is an extensive collection of everything automotive, from classic exotics to Walter White’s Aztec. Plus the architecture of the building is strange and wonderful, and only works in LA. We’ll head over to Roscoes Chicken and Waffles; and remember if someone says they don’t like Roscoes, don’t trust that person.

While the trails of Griffith Park up to the Hollywood sign is always tempting, my favorite trails are the numerous paths along Mulholland Drive. Spectacular views of the city, and I love the juxtaposition of natural California strung throughout the seemingly endless megacity.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Louise Latham! Within 10 minutes of meeting each other, we knew we were going to make films together.

She’s since become a best friend, business partner, sister and number-one fan. She’s always the first in line to encourage me when I need it (or kick my butt when I need it), and she’s always there personally and professionally.

Website: www.travis-land.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travismland

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mmxxfilms