Today we’d like to introduce you to William Swift.
Hi William, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story…….. that can be a lot……. LOL. I’ll try to make it brief. Really my story to where I am now started a number of years ago when I first got into the film industry. After taking classes, I started working for a local film studio build sets. That was unfortunately short lived (politics). So I went back to my previous career as a union commercial carpenter. One day, about a year later, I was scrolling through social media and came across a casting call. As they say, “If it keeps calling you, you have to answer it”. So, I did. I got the part. And as I started to develop my character (Steven Patrick) and started working on set, I knew that this was the path that I simply had to take.
From that point I started digging for more auditions and getting more roles. Mostly unpaid at the beginning, but these are the dues that we all pay when we get started.
All while this was going on, I started writing my first screenplay “IS IT REAL”
Now I have close to thirty films, series, commercials, and music videos that are streaming on several platforms such as Peacock, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Apple TV, YOUTube, and more. I am one of the main characters on one of the hottest independent series streaming today (The Dirty D). I was nominated for best supporting actor in the Detroit Choice Awards. And I’m signed to multiple talent agencies across the country.
“IS IT REAL” was finished. My wife and I produced it. I directed it and it’s streaming on Prime Video, Tubi, and a number of other platforms. And I have written 6 more feature length screenplays.
I am stepping into every door that is in front of me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As an actor, obstacles and struggles are a part of the process. One has to expect them and take them in stride. Because, if you are really trying, you will hear far more No’s than Yes’s.
One of my own personal struggles lies ,in my opinion, mostly in appearance. Over the years I have been asked to play a certain type of bad guy. The kind that doesn’t like people that doesn’t look like him. I did a few of these projects, in a lot of ways to prove that I could play a wide range of characters. All the while keeping to who I truly am as a person. These types of characters are not easy to portray, and after coming home from set while playing a really horrible person, my wife and I agreed that this wasn’t good for me.
The backlash, whether on social media or in person isn’t fun or fair. There are productions that won’t work with me because that is what they think of me. Others only call me because they want me for another one of these characters. Over the last couple of years I’ve turned down more roles than I ever have because I don’t want to be labeled that way.
You can be the nicest person, but sometimes perception is stronger than reality.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor. All the way through to my bones. I love to make characters come to life. When a director tells you that they “literally seen the words on the page take a breath” is one of the best feelings..
Locally, and in some degree nationally, I’m best known as “That Cop” on TV. Maybe most notably The Captain from the TV series The Dirty D. I’m blessed to have played a lot of different characters from a number of shows. A Judge, A Doctor, A Mayor, A Real Estate Broker, gas station attendant, gun dealer, father, business man…………. I will get stopped at the store or the gas station “You’re that TV Cop, I watch you all the time”
I think one of the things that I am most proud of is that I had the courage to do it. I didn’t start as a young man. And I was told by so many people, you’re too old, you don’t have the look, hardly nobody makes it… any number of things. If I would have listened to any number of them I’d still be swinging a hammer, and not living my dream.
The only way you fail is to quit. Just keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.swiftproductionsllc.com
- Instagram: https://instargam.com/billswift_productionsllc
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/bill.swift.376
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/MrQball1152
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3846292/?
