Today we’d like to introduce you to Harley Wallen.
Hi Harley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I took the most complicated version to becoming a Filmmaker or at least that’s what it feels like.. I had ambitions as a little kid back home in Sweden. I would be watching Tarzan and telling my parents already at five years old that I was going to move to America and be an actor.. but I was also going to be a very high-level martial artist in multiple disciplines and I was going to release music as a singer and rapper as well as dance once a competitive break dancer, one of the first few in Scandinavia. and then when I finally move to the United States, spend a solid year, trying to break in without really having any connections, so I got sidetracked into the corporate world which really helped my business sense and my ability to make art that’s financially viable by the time I finally found my way back. It’s been 12 years and 14 feature films and a full season of a TV Series and generally we are met with accolades on the festival circuit as well as having most films not only here but around the world dubbed into dozens of languages on a more than reasonable budget.. I think my journey gave me so much to talk about and I think having perspective and insight as a filmmaker is right up there with a vivid imagination and the skill set to make it happen!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
no but I don’t think you can learn much when everything goes well. I feel the challenges have made me better and have made me have to learn a lot, and it has made me fall in love with learning and growing. Also not having giant budgets really helps you learn to be creative and resourceful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I started out as an actor working on my craft but when the film incentives in Michigan or ended, I felt the need to step up and make films with multi layered storylines and moral complexities. I don’t make the kind of movies that hit you over the head with a message, but rather films that challenge your thoughts and.Feelings on things. to me an independent creatively, thinking brain is capable of doing so much good in the world and sometimes all we need is to nudge them or make them aware and the rest will do itself..
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Especially in the age of technology and AI I feel it’s especially important to do this for the right reasons, if you’re doing it for the love of the arts and the crafts and if you’re dying to tell stories about humans connecting and allowing yourself to be moved by that, I think you’ll be all right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.paintedcreekproductions.com
- Instagram: @theharleywallen
- Facebook: Harley Wallen
- Twitter: @harleytheswede
- Youtube: Painted Creek Productions
