We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Malcolm Cumming and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert Malcolm, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
That. Is… Difficult. The work/life balance changes with the seasons. Sometimes you need to push yourself to the limits and sometimes you need to step back and recharge. You’re not a machine. Take some time to wander. Be lazy when there’s nothing to do. Create when you get bored of being bored. Create some momentum and grind with a purpose. In the nascence of a career you’re young, hungry and just want an opportunity. So you leap at absolutely everything because you have an endless reserve of puppy energy which allows you to bounce back from any long day, night, week, month, or even year… But then 28 hits. You realize the well doesn’t go on forever. Your energy is limited and you’ve got to take time to fill your tank. Which is a kind of gift in its own way because that’s when you start saying “no” for yourself. “No” to events you didn’t actually want to go to and shouldn’t because you have to be up early, “no” to jobs you don’t want to do because it just feels funky at a gut level, “no” to people that drain you (fucking energy vampires man, they’re real). I’m extremely social so saying “no” was a hard learned lesson. But that was the beginning of creating space for myself to do things that fill my cup fully so I can pour it into people I want to surround myself with, and work that I really want do. That’s the balance. Learning to say “no”. It’s kind of my favorite word – “No”… and “Bric-a-brac” that’s a really fun word to. Just sort of bounces in around your mouth as you say it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Going into this year there are a few projects that I’m most excited about. First and foremost the feature film “MOLAR” written & directed by Jon Campbell Rose releases in 2024. I play the picaresque lead Malcolm Culdesac, a down and out homeless rockstar who’s newly cracked molar sets him off an adventure across all of Los Angeles to get it fixed and in turn, find his family, get his money back and start fresh. It’s such a vibrant tragic comedy with a wild array of characters. I couldn’t be more proud of this project and honestly, I just feel lucky to have had the opportunity to live an entire emotional spectrum of a character. Then there is “PLEASE SEND HELP” a short dramady written & directed by Danny Corey following Seth (me) who’s just recently gone through a divorce, who moves in with his brother Owen (Scott Kruse) who went through a divorce some years ago and wrote a little book about it called “The Guide to Surthriving & Divorce” full of tips and tricks to distract oneself of the pain. But it only goes so far until they must both succumb to actually talking about their feelings. It’s the perfect cocktail of tenderness, sweet levity & heartbreak. Then as a little aside, I write & play music under the moniker Thomas Furr and just released a new album called “Thomas Furr & The Dirty Thirty” – thirty songs from the last 7 years that have travelled rough roads just to be here. It’s a relief to finally share them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First off, I can’t be dropping all my secret spots here for all to see. BUT… I’ll give ya some sprawling brush strokes. We’re talking a whole week though – luckily just had one of my best friends visit from Indianapolis and we just did this. There’s a few beach days. One with bike rides down the Santa Monica path, through Marina del Rey with lunch and beers at Playa Provisions (and if one is looking for an adventurous ride, take it as far down as you can until you hit Palos Verdes and make it a beer crawl). The next beach day is going north, more languid. Grab your snacks and hit a quiet beach (we all have our favorites so fill in your own blank but Point Doom is a great place for anyone looking). Next up, get out for some hikes – Wisdom Tree, Griffith (starting from the Tennis Courts), or Temescal Canyon. End the day with some Pho at Blossom or street tacos. Then rest up in K-town with some KBBQ, do some research and find your favorite (I love Castle), and with a full belly, wander into WiSpa. Sweat out your sins before you gear up to howl at the moon like a wild dog once more. Then, you have to have some days cooking at home. In such case, make sure you know how to cook for yourself and guests, sharing recipes is a love language. Sharing cocktail recipes, rums, amaros, and the spices of life is a lust I couldn’t recommend more (looking at you G)! Then of course go to some shows, pick your poison. But here in LA, there are some events/accounts that bring in some of the best DJs in the world and they spin all night long if you know where to look. Finally, for the cumulative hangover: NY bagel deli (lox sandwich on everything) with a Robeks Hero’s Garden while you wait in line. Nap on the couch with movies. Take a walk around your neighborhood. And end it with sushi dinner with as much beer & sake your heart can handle. Waddle home together with a cigarette and call it a week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well damn! If we’re going to give thanks I’m about to make it rain then.. Fist off, thank you Danny Lazo for making this interview possible. Thank you to my Mom, Dad & sisters (Catie & Annie) for actually believing in me even when I don’t. Franny for all your endless love always (even when I am a grinchy beast). Jon Campbell Rose for casting me in as the lead in his feature film “MOLAR” and creating such an incredibly vibrant fully lived character. Thank you Danny Corey for writing such a gorgeous and tender film “Please Send Help” and entrusting me with the character Seth. Thank you John McNamara & Sera Gamble for putting me to work in their offices and giving me the unique experience of seeing professionals at work and the making of TV show sausage: from the germ of an idea, into a script, a full production, and finally, a piece of television/cinema for the world to see. And then of course the homies who’ve been in the foxhole of this endlessly fickle business: Josh Maya, Dave Kumar, Ella Littas, Michael “Mikey” Dean, Jalen Jones-Haines, and Bttags.

Website: https://www.spicyjamproduction.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcolm.url/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazEd3b_Lp0Q4qdGxIwUKag

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0JQ3L4JSVTXjd19q910caP

Image Credits
Photos by Drew Ganyer, Jon Campbell Rose, Nick Batanides, & Danny Corey

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