Meet Nate Huntley | Actor, Writer, Musician, Comedian

Every time I’ve taken a risk, it’s either worked out well or I felt confident enough about my decision to take it that the results didn’t matter. But honestly, I used to be risk averse! I was too concerned with doing something “right” that I wouldn’t do anything at all. Maybe it’s my age or the fact I don’t have patience anymore but I’m at a point in my life where I’m not afraid to fall on my face. Failure is a good thing as long as you don’t let it keep you down. People at Pixar say “fail early and fail fast” and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. The only way I really fail is if I stop.

What I’m still reeling from is a film I just created called “A Wonderful Life?” that was an Official Selection for the 2022 Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge, for which I won Best Writing and was nominated for Best Actor. I created it with my friends Sean Liang and Sara Spadacene and it was a surreal moment to watch something I made on a big screen in Hollywood.

Since moving to LA a year ago, my focus has been split between four different areas of my career, or as I call it, my four “pies”: Acting, Writing, Music, and Comedy. I’ve devoted my focus to each of them tactically and intentionally, writing specific goals and keeping track of daily habits for self-improvement. This is something I developed during the pandemic to stay productive and it’s benefited me a ton since. (Thanks Atomic Habits and The Artist’s Way!)

We, as artists, lack control in many aspects of our careers. For example, we can write something but can’t control what happens to it. We can send in an audition tape but can’t control if we are cast or not. I tend to create a lot but it’s not because I’m this wildly gifted idea machine. I am, however, disciplined and consistent, something over which I do have control. That is what keeps me busy… *laughs nervously*

I can tell you my exact answer for this because I have friends visiting in a few weeks. My first step is always to make a spreadsheet. I recently sent my friends a comprehensive three page document of all the things we could do when they’re here, including prices and peak hours. I am not one to make a full blown itinerary but I am one who needs all the options on the table before deciding anything. Show them a full list of options and go from there! …All that to say, we are going to both a John Williams concert and a Weird Al Yankovic concert and I’m going to squeal in excitement at each one…

I’d like to shoutout my songwriting community, Thinking Outside the Blocks, led by Allie Moss and Bess Rogers. I’ve been writing alongside this passionate group of artists for almost two years now and have grown sooooo much as a musician and songwriter.

I want to shoutout anyone who has taken part in my YouTube channel, Argyle Gargoyle. You have helped turn this pandemic project into something much bigger.

I want to give a HUGE shoutout to my family who supported me through the pandemic and then again when I said I was moving to Los Angeles a year ago. They have never once questioned my ambitions or aspirations. I could not be here without their support.

And lastly, I want to shoutout people that support me by just showing up, whether that be watching my content, listening to my music, or reading something I wrote. Y’all know who you are. It may seem like a small gesture but it is an incredibly meaningful and impactful one. It’s an act of service, a gift, quality time (hopefully), and if you say something afterwards, words of affirmation. It’s 4/5 of the Love Languages!