Meet Shaka Omari: Actor & Producer

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

Hi Shaka, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Yes, I actually have three.

First one by Samuel Becket, “Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better. ”
This quote gives me the freedom and fearlessness to press forward. You actually learn more in failure than you do in winning. Success and Failure are hand in hand.

Second one: “When where you are is more uncomfortable then where you need to go… then you will move.”
For me this is a reminder that it’s usually fear or anxiety that stops us from pressing forward. We like comfortability, and routine. They are easy and safe, but sometimes to get to the goals we want, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable for a bit.

Third one my parents said in two different ways: “Everything you do you leave your signature on, so might as well do it well.’ or as they would say affectionally, “Bloom where you are planted”.
For me it’s a reminder, it doesn’t might the size of the task or how annoying it is. Do it well because you name, legacy is attached to it. Whether it’s getting coffee or open heart surgery, how you do it matters. You leave an impression everywhere you go with everything you do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love crafting stories. Most of my life has been as an actor, creating a character to help tell the story that a writer has written. One day I remember being in an audition and I thought “I want to be on that side of the table” Meaning where the producers were sitting. I had done something like this before in college where we created a group called The Unheard Voices, which our goal was to produce theater productions written by minority playwrights. Our first play produced was ‘A Raisin in the sun” which was the first all majority black cast play at the university. We had sale out crowds every night.

That led me to want to create a film production company that would tell stories that unite us and remind us we are all human. Of course, the nerd part for me still wants to do sci-fi and comic book stories as well. LOL.

It has been challenging as an actor/producer. You have moments of self-doubt and “fear” of never “making it”. It is also a lot to juggle if your primary source of income is another job. One of the things you have to remind yourself is why you do it in the first place: What is the love of it? Why were you inspired to do it? Then remember to have fun with it, enjoy the process. A quote we have in our “office” goes like this:  “Don’t work 8 hours for a company then go home and not work on your own goals, you’re not tired, you’re uninspired”. Find what inspires you about your creative endeavor and the energy will come.

It’s what we started with in our production company. Finding stories that we found fun to make, just to keep our creative muscle in shape. So far, it’s been working, and we are enjoying the ride.

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?
Such a good question.

Let’s see to eat:

Vee’s Cafe – for breakfast
Bludso’s BBQ – for BBQ
Homestate – Frito Pie
Meet in Paris – Brunch
Leo’s taco truck – Best Taco’s fight me, LOL!
Tatsu Ramen
The Butchers Daughter – Venice – brunch
Crossroads kitchen – Vegan
Doomie’s home cooking – Vegan fast food
Hasens cake’s – cupcakes are the best!

For drinks and maybe dancing:
The Den on Sunset
No Vacancy
Blind Barber in Culver City
Tenants of the Trees
Dirty Laundry
Laurel’s hardware
Culver Hotel
The Waterfront in Venice

And I’m a beach guy so of course the beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people I would love to shout out!

Like to start with my business partner and friend Charles J Malone. His creativity and passion help us in each project we do. Where we are as a company wouldn’t be possible without him.

A big shoutout to CAA! to all my co-workers, friends and mentors at the company. They support me and push me to excel in all I do. Too many people to name as it’s a whole company and I love them all, but a few include:

Shout out to Jennifer Okafor for working with me on scenes and starting her own company @chilasaroma

To Chris Meyer & Andi Wong for helping us with our latest project Kaleidoscope.

Paige Wandling for helping me find an amazing Acting coach.

Faith France for always supporting and giving feedback!

Ozi for the support, inclusion and feedback!

Brandon Lawrence & Joe Hadley for always checking in!

The squad on the 2nd floor. You know who you are, LOL!

And two amazing mentors in Jeff J & Michelle Kydd!

Last but not least to all my friends that started their own business or have been having success in their chosen field! (again, more than I can shout out but here are a few):

Joanna Priwieziencew starting a ballet program for kids in Korogocho, Kenya partnered with LA Dance Project here in LA

Eddie Lui starring in the CW’s Kung Fu

Jessica Mcnamee in the new Mortal Kombat film!

Whitney Brooks starting @thewhitneycollection

Molly Ratermann and her production company Little Hand

Bernardo Cubria and Ammo Theater Company @ammotheatre

My family,

And Lara Clear who so kindly referred me for this interview.

Website: www.shakaomari.com

Instagram: @ShakaOmari. as well as @openqueueproductions

Twitter: @ShakaOmari

Image Credits
Vince