Meet Nevin Bolla | Actor / Director

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

Hi Nevin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe that success, especially in the arts, can only be achieved by taking risks. If you’re happy living a “normal” life, that’s great, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But to really stand out, to reach that level where people remember your name, you have to embrace risk. Risk is tied to fear, but if you use that fear constructively, it leads to growth.

Risk-taking isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s simply raising a hand in class; for others, it’s going after a dream with no guarantees. As an actor, I think about risk constantly. You have to take creative risks in auditions and make bold choices that set you apart – even if it means standing out in a way that might not fit everyone’s idea of the role. Many actors today play it safe, but I believe if you’re going to grow as an artist, you need to go beyond what’s expected.

In this industry, the risks go beyond creativity. Acting, film, and television are highly competitive fields where talent alone isn’t enough. It’s also about timing, connections, and sometimes even financial stability. I’ve known talented actors who left the industry because the struggle for auditions was just too much. In today’s world, your social media following often plays a bigger role than your acting ability, which is challenging if, like me, you’re not naturally inclined to put your life online. But even that’s a risk you have to consider taking—to put yourself out there for visibility, for the chance to stand out.

This industry can feel like 1% success and 99% hustle, with many people sacrificing stability, relationships, and family for the dream. Taking risks means betting on yourself even when the odds are slim, knowing that every time you do, you’re building resilience. You need the will to push through when the payoff isn’t immediate or even guaranteed. In the end, my ambition fuels me to take these risks because my desire to achieve something meaningful is greater than my fear of failure.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What really sets me apart is that I didn’t come from any kind of industry background – no family connections, no friends already established in the field, no financial backing, nothing. When I first stepped into acting, I was truly starting from scratch. It’s like being a complete stranger on a crowded street, trying to get noticed and make connections on your own. In this line of work, you often need someone to guide you, especially for learning acting, just like learning a skill like martial arts, there’s a mentor, a coach, someone who’s been there before. But apart from that guidance, every other aspect of my journey was entirely self-taught and self-driven.

My brand, if you want to call it that, is all about representing the hard-working actor who’s built everything from the ground up, starting with absolutely nothing. I had to make everything work without help from family or friends. Even when it came to building my portfolio, I shot my own demo reels on my phone, setting up a small tripod in the rain for the right shot. I remember filming a particular scene during a thunderstorm in an empty park, pushing through the lightning and rain because I had no one else to support me or handle the technical side. That’s been the theme all along, facing every obstacle on my own and figuring it out one step at a time.

I had to teach myself branding, marketing, directing, editing, and even script analysis. Without that knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to control my own career. So, if there’s one message I’d like people to take away from my story, it’s that I’m the “lone wolf” actor who’s breaking into an industry that seems designed to keep outsiders out. It’s relentless; every part of it tells you, “You don’t belong here.” But I’ve learned that success in acting doesn’t just come from talent, it comes from the hunger and the willingness to put in the work when no one else will. For me, that drive to succeed is greater than any doubts or physical challenges I’ve faced along the way.

The reality is, in this industry, if you don’t have the right connections, breaking in can feel impossible. But it’s only almost impossible – that’s the key. I might not have started with the best hand, but I’ve used every resource I could find to keep going. There have been nights I’ve canceled plans, skipped meals, or stayed up till 1 a.m. just to film an audition in perfect silence after the world around me had finally quieted down. When I’m filming, I’ve worked in scorching heat, battled exhaustion, and done what it took to make each scene the best it could be.

So, how do you get through all of that? It’s about having a level of motivation and willpower that most people can’t imagine. I always say that if there’s anything else you’d rather do, you probably should because this work requires everything. I’ve sacrificed relationships, job opportunities, financial stability, and sometimes even my health because, to me, the pursuit of acting is worth it.

It’s not all glamorous, and I’d be lying if I said it was all ups and no downs. But even in the lows, I find purpose. What keeps me going is knowing that in a crowded room of people trying to be seen, I have the voice to stand out because I’ve earned my place there. If you want something badly enough and refuse to settle, the only choice is to find a way forward, one step at a time.

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?
If my best friend came to town, I’d skip all the touristy stuff and go straight to the places that make LA feel like home. We’d start in Highland Parkm it’s this cool, laidback neighborhood that’s somehow a little under the radar. Breakfast at Kitchen Mouse would be a must (their breakfast tacos are insane), and then we’d stroll down Figueroa, pop into a few shops, and see some local art. Later, dinner at Hippo, it’s tucked away, cozy, and the pasta’s a whole experience.

For a beach day, we’d drive up to El Matador Beach in Malibu, one of those hidden beaches with sea caves and cliffs. Way better than the crowded tourist spots. And afterward, we’d hit Neptune’s Net for fish tacos, a classic spot, right across from the water, and totally worth it.

One day would definitely be spent exploring Frogtown. We’d grab coffee at La Colombe and then rent bikes to ride along the LA River. It’s the chillest way to see a different side of the city. For lunch, Salazar is right there with some killer carne asada, and it’s all outdoor seating, which feels perfect for LA.

Then there’s Los Feliz. I’d take my friend to All Time for breakfast, and we’d do a hike in Griffith Park (but we’d take the side trails, way less crowded) up to the Observatory for the views. We’d probably finish the day with pizza and cocktails at Little Dom’s, a total neighborhood vibe, and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

For an artsy day, we’d dive into Downtown LA and start at Hauser & Wirth for some gallery-hopping, check out The Last Bookstore (it’s like a maze in there, with random art pieces thrown in). Then we’d cap the day with a few beers at Angel City Brewery – good vibes, good beer, and the crowd’s always fun.

We’d also hit Silver Lake for some real local flavor. Brunch at Sqirl (the ricotta toast is legendary), then a stroll around the Silver Lake Reservoir. If there’s a live show at Echoplex that night, we’re there. It’s the best way to catch local bands and feel the city’s pulse.

Finally, we’d take a little nature break in Topanga Canyon. We’d hike, maybe stop by some artist studios, and grab lunch at Inn of the Seventh Ray, (it’s like eating in a fairytale garden). And for our last night, we’d hit up Bourbon Steak at The Americana for dinner with an amazing view to toast the trip.

Overall, we make sure that no day goes to waste – you can sleep when you go home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s an interesting question because, honestly, there isn’t just one person who’s helped shape me. I owe a lot to a group of people and, in a way, even to experiences that weren’t exactly pleasant. I think back to my third-grade teacher, Miss Woolly, who first encouraged me to believe in myself as an actor. My agent and manager have also been crucial as they’ve pushed me, supported me, and kept me grounded. And then there’s my acting coach who helped me really dig into script breakdowns and character development.

But beyond the people, I have to give credit to something many might overlook: failure. It sounds strange, but failure has probably been one of my best teachers. There’s the small stuff like failing a test, but then there’s the deeper kind of failure, where you put your whole heart into something and it doesn’t pan out. That kind of failure is brutal; it’s hard to get back up when you’ve been knocked down over and over again. But it’s in those moments that I learned the most about myself and grew the most as an actor, a director, and just as a person.

In this industry, you’re constantly facing setbacks. It’s competitive, it’s unpredictable, and there are so many factors beyond talent. It’s one of the few fields where hard work doesn’t always guarantee you’ll “make it.” So, you end up battling not only to get ahead but to keep your own passion alive. And I think that’s where failure plays a role. It forces you to grow, to adapt, and to decide if you’re really willing to keep going, no matter how many times you fall.

I’m grateful for the people who’ve supported me, no doubt, but in the end, success really does come from failure. It’s not about giving a toast to failure, of course, but recognizing it as part of the journey. Because, at the end of the day, you only achieve greatness if you’re willing to fall and get back up. That’s what builds resilience, and that’s what keeps me moving forward, even in a tough industry like this one.

Website: https://www.nevinbolla.com

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