Meet Tim Carr | Actor, Filmmaker and Humanities

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

Hi Tim, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance is such a great question, because I think we’re all looking for this right? Or is it even “the balance” we want? I had a conversation about this recently, and it seems like, rather than balance, which means, if you do your balance perfectly, which in itself is really not easy… a perfect balance is 50/50, you’d be giving work 50% and life 50%, wouldn’t that be a failing grade at both things?

So rather than balance, maybe we make it like when we hear a perfect Beatles song…harmony.That’s what I try to do, can life and work sing together, like John and Paul do? Can one voice help the other? Are there times when one voice is heard more than the others? Always. But now, even arguably, more than ever, there are always things we’ll need to harmonize, I wish it was just “work/life”, but I think even our “life/life” can use a little more harmony, a way to blend what we want to do in our lives, with what our loved ones do with their lives, that in itself in a harmony we’ll always need to work on, factor in every other facet in our lives, ambition, creativity, mental health, physical health, if we balance those things, we may find ourselves still not feeling “great”, but if we can somehow find a way for all of those things to sing together? I think maybe that’s our journey.

I try to do this in my work life, as well. I do have a fortunate job in the film and TV world where my work can be very visible at times, and that work for harmony between “what is a project I love?” versus “what is a project that is commercial viable” versus “what project pays the bills”? That is also a never ending harmony I try to work for,and I think we all do, I have had that conversation so many times, and I have even asked that question of really wonderful actors that you all know and have seen, what’s the secret?

I’ll tell you the secret.

No one knows.

We just try our best and hope for the best. Like every other job out there, we just keep trying and get all of it to sing together in a beautiful harmony.

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.
I am really, really lucky to have my work out there. I am very aware of that. But the question I get is “why do you work all the time?”

Ready for the answer? It’s because I’m not naturally good at anything. Please don’t take this as humility. I have the chance to work with incredibly gifted people. I’m simply not one of them.

I grew up switching schools and towns and cities on average every 2 years (later on, in Pennsylvania, I stayed a little longer, sending big love to the Keystone State) but I did learn very early on, that to survive, I was going to have to adapt pretty quickly, and that’s a trait I am lucky enough to still be using now.

Because I’m not naturally good at anything, I have to get up early, and put the work in. I prep before every single screen test, no matter how “loose” it may look. Every single publicity appearance I do, sure, we ad lib and have a conversation, but I do make a list of things to possibly mention. Every script I have ever handed in as a “first draft”, is likely a 3rd draft because I looked at it several times before I hit “save” and “send”. Any charitable function I’m fortunate to have been a part of, I at least have written down an idea of what I hope to accomplish with it. I put the work in, because I HAVE to put the work in. Ironically, trying to make things look easy is really hard.

I knew, if I was going to have a career in showbiz, I was going to have to be lucky, but I also knew that to sustain a career in showbiz, I was going to have to create opportunities for myself and others, to see the talents in other actors and filmmakers and sit down and try and create something where we could all be the best of ourselves. There is still that ethic, to this day, after all these years, when I’m doing anything, writing, directing, acting…where I don’t think “how can I make this the best version of itself? How can I be the best version of myself? How can I be of service to help others bring out the best in themselves?”.

That whole philosophy stretches into everything in my life, in my family, in charitable work, just in social settings, I’ll always want everyone to shine, I want everyone to bring out their best, because everything feels bigger, better, and brighter… when it’s in the sunlight.

I am really excited about where things are currently, There’s a TV show “the Grounders” I am so, so proud of. It’s so original, it’s so funny and the cast is just phenomenally talented. I have filmed a sitcom TV pilot that I’ve written, and it’s the closest thing that a project has turned out, the way it was in my head when I wrote it. I have a deal for 2 very small documentaries that are coming out soon, that I’d directed. I wasn’t even sure if those films would have an audience, as those are not normally projects that I normally put out. Those 2 films are being released by filmmakers who have put out really influential, groundbreaking, and incredible films in the past, so to have 2 very different projects I’d done, to be recognized by such great filmmakers, is so validating. I have 2 more films in development right now. Both of those films are really funny, really original, but what many don’t know? Those films in development are more autobiographical than any sane person should admit. I’m excited to share all of this with the world.

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.
The last time we talked,I gave a wild way to explore Los Angeles, and I absolutely stand by that. (it’s here, and funny enough, I just did all of this from the article Meet Tim Carr: actor, film director, and activist – SHOUTOUT LA )

But now the question is, if my best friends are in town, where do we go? My answer is “everywhere”.

If we’re starting out in Los Angeles, I’ll take you all to Bacchus Tables in Koreatown, it just opened, and I can’t get over how incredible the food and staff was. I was there for so long, the chef even came out (and brought snacks, really the best way for anyone to approach anyone) and sat with us and hung out. The kimchi pancake. Trust me on this one, my friends.

Before we get out of LA (this itinerary is going to be adding to your frequent flier miles), you do have to hit Roscoe’s on Crenshaw. Waffles, chicken, biscuits, maple syrup, hot sauce. And you get the friendliest staff on the planet, every single thing about that stop is absolute comfort.

With all of that comfort food, hop in the car and head down the I-5 to beautiful San Diego, please stop at Jose’s Courtroom. No, it’s not a real courtroom, and the only judgement that will be there is how much fun you’ll be having. Have a seat on the patio, you can see the Pacific Ocean from there and it’s gorgeous. Be sure and get one of their drink cozies because you’re about to…

Go to New York? Yes. because you only live once, and this is the itinerary I’m making for you, and I want you to have the most fun ever. Totto Ramen in midtown. Maybe, have an idea of what you’d like to eat before you get in there though, our friends at Totto are always busy and want to get you in there, fed, and on your way.

Before you get out of town, don’t forget to stop at 313 Bowery, former home of legendary club CBGBs. Life is simply better, when you stop and pay respects to the very wonderful band “The Ramones”.

End your “Started in LA, now we’re on the East Coast” trip (sorry, but this really is how I live my life, though) in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. Reading Terminal Market is not only the greatest place in Philadelphia, it’s a top ten greatest place in the world. There are 8 wonders of the world. Reading Terminal Market is the 8th Wonder. Maybe fact check that, but I’m pretty sure that I’m right. Have whatever you like, sandwiches, paella, or life’s purest joy, breakfast for dinner (sending love to all of the “brinner” enthusiasts out there). Stop at the Cajun Cafe for a po’ boy and dirty rice. Before you leave Philly, though, it is a law in the great city of Philadelphia that you should at least have one soft pretzel before you leave town.

That is your itinerary. Don’t worry, because you’re switching time zones, calories don’t count. Maybe you should fact check that, though, I’m pretty sure I’m right.

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?
So many great people I have crossed paths with along the way.

Jacob Stargrove has a wonderful TV series called The Grounders, which is screening for networks and executives, right now, as we speak. Jacob also did a wonderful movie called “Down With The Boogey”, which I was very fortunate to be a part of. A truly wonderful and creative mind, he’s always original and always entertaining. I’m always excited to see what he’ll do next.

JJ Garvine and Tai Parquet are always working and always putting out “must see” films. I somehow have been able to be involved in some way shape or form in so many of their wonderful projects “13th Grade”, “Film Hawk” (which just was released worldwide), I even pop up for a split second in their heartbreaking and beautiful film “Keeping The Peace”. JJ and Tai are both working on top secret projects, which I won’t even talk about. Well, I won’t talk about it… after I say, those projects both look amazing. Now, I really won’t talk about it.

Calvin Hill, writer, director extraordinaire. His writing is always from the heart. Calvin writes so warmly about relationships, there’s always a comfort to his work. At a wrap party, I handed over a script I’d written. He told me he’d make it…but only if I directed and acted in it. Calvin was the first to trust me in the director’s chair. Calvin will always be an integral part in my journey.

Also, I learn from every actor, director, producer and agent I work with, (and I’d love to list 400 actors for you to follow) and all the love to the agents and managers along the way who’d always kept an eye out for me, Gail Holvey, Annie Holvey, Shari Sussman, Melissa Demyan, Barbara Coleman, Cathy Parker and Patricia Yorks. Some are still in the business, some have moved on to other things, but I remember them all, and am always endlessly grateful.

Website: http://www.parkinglotfilms.net/

Instagram: nottimcarr

Linkedin: ParkingLotFilms

Twitter: ParkingLotFilms

Other: I’ll follow you all back on socials. Because the more, the merrier.

Image Credits
Jennifer Beers Photography (pictures 1-2) Set Stills from “The Grounders” (pictures 3-4) Mike Dawson (Picture 5) Set Still from “Film Hawk” (picture 6) “The Grounders” poster (picture 7) “Earth Day” (picture 8)