Meet James Tumminia | Actor & Producer

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

Hi James, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
People outside the entertainment industry may not be keenly aware of how hard it is to land a gig, probably like it is in other industries. The number of people working across the spectrum in film and TV production is staggering while the number of projects getting made specifically Los Angeles has significantly dipped. I often hear from others that it’s never an easy time, but the numbers now, more than ever, do not lie; production is currently not a happening thriving scene. Instead, many projects are being made in other states like New Jersey with more favorable tax credits and newly opened production facilities. The UK has also provides producers with favorable incentives to bring their projects across the pond while Australia has been used to resemble LA in several projects that went down under to cut costs. Casting seems to be auditioning more actors for projects with the time-saving self-taping process. It may mean more auditions for casting directors and their teams to review through self-tapes, but it also means there are more actors being seen for the same role, reducing one’s chances of getting cast. Even for “name” actors and actors with familiar faces seen in many film and TV projects, and those who work behind-the-scenes with a long list of credits, things have tightened for budgetary and/or location reasons. It’s not uncommon for some to work as a local hire to perform their craft, finding their own place to live during production. Explaining this “new” kind of shift in Hollywood to outsiders remains challenging, especially when they hold on to the concept of Hollywood magic. If only magic could solve this crisis!

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.
It may sound cliché but I wanted to be an actor since I was very young. When I saw “people” bouncing around in my living room television, I became mesmerized by what they were doing and how they made me feel; and I kept going back for more. Throughout my school years in New York City, I regularly performed in plays, and later I participated more seriously in theater-arts programs at college in Washington DC. Instead of trying out the NY acting scene while also juggling family commitments, I decided to move to Los Angeles and take the big professional dive there. I found some acting work, but I also I faced many of the same challenges actors do when they arrive in Hollywood: being unknown in the entertainment capital of the world and not packing enough confidence with me across country. I felt like a very small fish in a very big pond. When I enrolled in acting classes, I was grateful not only to have craft training (scene study, voice, movement, improv, etc.) but also get vital confidence retraining. My acting teachers also gave invaluable advice about how to navigate the business which reinforced my confidence. It was still daunting, but how the business operated – whatever that means – had new clarity.

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I think I’m most proud of the path my “survival job” took me on, though it was hardly planned. While I pursued acting, I found work in production to support myself. I landed one production job that led me to another production job where I met a film and TV producer, and we clicked. It’s no secret that people in Hollywood like working with those they know and trust. They will take them along on their next projects based on their positive working relationship. At my full-time production job, I was fortunate that the head of the company let me take on more responsibilities, and in three years, I was running his company, receiving producer credit and compensation. With more stability, access and production credits, my confidence increased, though I was always aware of how unpredictable the business was. Feeling more established and secure, I joined SAG and AFTRA (before the merger), and juggled theater, film and TV acting jobs. Acting wasn’t always easy…okay, it was never easy because as a lead producer, the job is 24/7, 7 days a week, 30 days, etc. Something had to give and often I had to put acting on hold. But, with the ebbs and flows of production, there were periods in which I worked more as an actor, even out of town. It might sound like it was a balancing act, but it was more of a lesson in adapting to how things can play out in Hollywood. I trained myself to manage the unpredictability of work, and letting go of trying to control things beyond my control. Wearing multiple hats helped me a lot to have a career and I soon liked being called a multi-hyphenate.

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I’m often asked about sharing advice I’d give my younger self. If I could tell the young me one thing it would be to tell everyone what and who you are – an actor, a writer, a producer, a costume designer, a musician – and to have something real to support it or talk about such as something you’ve recently completed (like a screenplay) or you’ve worked on (a digital series as an actor or a camera operator). I also wouldn’t wait for an invitation – invite yourself, politely, to share your career path. Let them take the bait. I believe there’s a very good chance others are already doing it – grabbing someone’s focus, even for a moment, and being seen. You never know where or to whom that person could lead you, even if you and that person aren’t a fit. And make sure to read the room. If that person seems disinterested, move on. And go to parties, ask friends who are going to parties to take you to them. Get seen. Again, politely, but be very present. Find something interesting to talk about other than the business. Search for something in common to talk about or start with a question or comment that makes the other person feel you’re interested in them. But definitely no overt fanboying or fangirling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What works best for me is to organize things by category, almost like a menu, and have my friend pick and choose. So here goes:

For entertainment and a night on the town, my favorite thing to do in Los Angeles is an evening at the Hollywood Bowl. There’s nothing like a picnic dinner under the stars before enjoying some of my favorite performers entertaining thousands of fans. While I always try to be creative and let the music inspire the menu, if I’m sitting in a box, I’ll order from the in-house restaurant or grab some eats from the on-site kiosks.

For the best dining experience, my cuisine of choice is always Italian – it’s in my blood. LA has a spectacular selection of places such as Toscana (Brentwood), Café Angelino (near the Beverly Center), Brunello (Culver City), Osteria Mamma (Hollywood) and either of the Mozzas – Osteria or Pizza. I also love diners. While LA isn’t much of a diner town, one of my favorites is Metro Café in Culver City for its epic French toast. I also love the diner-vibe and menu at Hof’s Hut in Torrance, about 30 minutes from West LA. I try to get to downtown LA for theater, and when I do, I’ll hit Perch for brunch, Grand Central Market for a wide variety of ethnic food and designer donuts, and the Arts district for its coffee shops. For dessert, I crave Sweet Lady Jane in Santa Monica or Alcove in Los Feliz for its wide selection of cheesecake. There’s also Castanea, a Sicilian café on the Venice Boardwalk; it serves authentic sweets and coffee drinks using Morettino beans from Sicily. On Sunday mornings, I hit the Mar Vista Farmers Market for organic fruits and vegetables, and always stop at the kiosks and food trucks for a coffee and pastry.

An important part of the southern California experience are the breathtaking sunsets. I’ll head to any local beach town – Malibu, Venice, Marina del Rey, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, etc. – with camera in-hand and soak in the end-of-day vibes. For a getaway outside of LA, Joshua Tree is high on my list. The desert oasis has both unforgettable sunsets and sunrises and, of course, its ability to improve one’s state of mind.

I spend a lot of my time at the movies, so I’d take my friend to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Museum in the Fairfax district for a special exhibition or screening of a classic movie; or a retrospective at one of the American Cinematheque venues in Hollywood or Santa Monica; or Quentin Tarantino’s Beverly Cinema that also shows classic films; or Hammer Museum’s eclectic, curated program in Westwood. For international or arthouse films, I can’t get enough of the Lumiere in Beverly Hills or Laemmle Royal in Santa Monica. I recently discovered the Old Town Music Hall, a little gem in El Segundo (a small quiet community near LAX) that programs some of the best classic films with a musical interlude by an organist, and often stars or crew from the film. It’s campy and in walking distance to great restaurants and cafes.

I worked on a few commercials that featured the stars of LA’s soccer team, LAFC, and through that experience, I discovered LA has another soccer team. The team’s BMO Stadium is gorgeous and the view of downtown LA at night is spectacular.

If we want to take any excursions outside of LA, there’s Little Italy in San Pedro that has some great places to eat such as Trani’s by the port. The menu is eclectic and the fried calamari is a must. There are also quaint towns like Idyllwild and Julian for peace, nature, local crafts and outdoor dining. San Diego is about two hours away with light traffic; the city has lots to see and do, and I always make a stop at Gelato Love in Carlsbad where the gelato is homemade and all the flavors are delicious.

And for those who want a “legal” close-up view of the Hollywood Sign away from Hollywood Boulevard, go to the dog park hidden in Lake Hollywood Park. Many of my visitors want to see Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is best during the day, and may be combined with a visit to Beverly Hills for outdoor dining and high-end shopping.

For an outdoor workout, visit Runyon Canyon. Parking can be a challenge so get there early and read the signs for parking restrictions.

And finally, if you just want to be surprised without too much planning, I’d visit popular neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park for dining, coffee, cocktails and people watching.

Enjoy LA!

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?
I’m very fortunate to be connected to many people and organizations that support and inspire me in different ways. It’s no secret to my circle that I’m an italophile – I love all things Italian. The Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles (“IIC”) curates many programs throughout the year that offer something for everyone. As a big fan of Italian cinema, music and culture, I’m in constant awe of how the Institute and its director Emanuele Amendola hosts riveting events. Under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles and its Consul General Raffaella Valentini, the IIC’s programs often provide a rare opportunity to experience Italian culture at its Westwood headquarters that otherwise I may only be able to access in Italy. Mille grazie, IIC and Emanuele!

Website: https://www.italusfilms.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-tumminia-9a9a267/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesTumminiaActor

Other: https://www.instagram.com/perchithefilm/
https://www.instagram.com/italusfilms/

Image Credits
Headshot: ClickWestPhoto
All Photos: James Tumminia