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

Hi Paul, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
In a town like Los Angeles the question of how or whether to persist in ‘the biz’, specifically, is so individual and nuanced. And, from the perspective of the biz, I don’t think it’s a failure to leave. But a lot of people come out here and, within a couple of years, wash out. This is understandable, but they’ve done themselves a disservice because LA is at least a 5 year town. You need to give yourself several years, in other words, to really feel LA out.

This town has everything you want, and everything you don’t, all in one place. It takes time to really understand that and find your way, and impatience with your path is your greatest enemy.

So I think it’s important to be honest with oneself about whether they’ve maximized what this town, and their path in it, has been like, and whether they’ve fully invested themselves in their journey. If you have soaked in the sights and sounds and egregious eccentricities of LA, and put in the real work of your career and aspirations, and find it’s just not for you, there’s no shame in leaving.

But give yourself a real chance!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Talking about myself is a continual challenge. I know, as someone in the entertainment industry, that having a good self-pitch is an asset, but I don’t think it’s a skill I’ve developed well.

But, to relate things to advice I’ve already given, I’d say that I’m at least an example of persistence. I moved here in LA in 2000 and immediately had to get to work. I trained and studied, and was quickly exposed to the post-production side of the industry. Years of bouncing around from job to job yielded great experience, and friendships I maintain through today, but the glitz and glamor of stardom eluded me. More to the point, and to the greater point of giving oneself time out here, I came to realize that ‘fame’ wasn’t something I actually wanted; I just wanted to work doing the things I love.

And ‘what I love’ broadened quickly. I bought a Bolex 16mm, burned through some short stock (and my wallet), got it through telecine, and quickly fell in love with filmmaking. The prologue to my novel (forever in-progress) was published in local anthology. I was a part of a writers room on a couple of occasions. I found validation in various forms of storytelling, in other words, and realized that the level of satisfaction I felt was roughly equivalent in all of them.

Today I remain an actor, writer, and filmmaker type of person. I have a day job, as of this interview, as a lead programmer for a creative agency, and enjoy tremendous latitude in my pursuits. So, I’m lucky. But I’ve also kept my feet on the ground and pushed through the sheer time, out here in LA, it has taken to develop my experiences, interests, and abilities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
– I’m a sucker for the Getty. You pay for parking and otherwise have a free day surrounded by art, architecture, and a killer view. Losing a full day to the Getty is no problem for me.
– APB (“A Plant Bar’) is a new and exciting Hollywood vegan bar that is paired with a vegan sushi menu — yes, vegan sushi. The flavors are amazing and the atmosphere is cozy — I don’t like a crowd, or music that’s too loud, so I prefer to drop in before the DJ starts.

– The beach! Yes….the ol’, tried and true, beach. Any of them. It’s a cheap day with, generally, plenty of space for you to enjoy your time by the waves. I don’t go often, because I live east of the 405 (the unofficial state line of Los Angeles), but I always have a good time when I do.

– The Casino Dive Park, in Avalon. For the divers out there, this is an incredibly convenient dive spot with a walk-in entrance and close/fast access to emergency services. It’s a favored spot of dive schools, so a lot of people cut their chops here. It’s a gorgeous dive among kelpies, garibaldis (the California State Marine Fish), and the famous (huge) black bass, all in a kelp forest. Nothing will reset your brain faster than looking through the kelp as the rays of the sun pierce through, or experiencing the entirely different ecosystem of the nightlife that comes out. And, of course, The $&@$&*@ Catalina Wine Mixer.

– During the summer, a night out with ISC! www.iscla.org

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 incredibly lucky to be surrounded by amazing people, and in naming one I’d feel guilty of not naming another. So I’ll stick with a few organizations I care a lot about:

Gobble Gobble Give. This is the nation’s largest potluck to benefit our unhoused communities on Thanksgiving day. These are like potluck parties — except we don’t eat what we bring together. Instead, we package our food (and clothing and hygiene items) into care packages that we take directly to the streets. I’ve been participating since about 2008 and am now the company secretary. We’re a 501(c)3 and in many cities across the country. You’re invited! www.gobblegobblegive.org

Aikido Center of Los Angeles. Being able to leave LA behind, take my shoes off, and step onto some tatami in a traditional training environment made such a tremendous difference in how I’ve navigated this town and business. This is a place to develop some internal tools in ways that may surprise you. I’m proud to be on the non-profit board that assists ACLA, Furuya Foundation. www.aikidocenterla.com

The Independent Shakespeare Company. This remarkable company offers a completely free outdoor Shakespeare festival every summer at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park (they now have a permanent stage installed there). When you’re sitting out among hundreds of other people, as Othello strangles Desdemona (spoilers), you can hear a pin drop, and the coyotes at the outskirts of the clearing suddenly all start to howl…. Well, that’s a singular moment. And when the summer’s over ISC still has offerings through the year. I’m proud to be one of their ongoing patrons. www.iscla.org

Website: https://paulmajor.com

Instagram: @pauldmajor

Twitter: @paulmajor

Other: Threads – @pauldmajor

Image Credits
Matthew Martin, Cameron Bigelow, Brett Richards, Paul Vroom

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