Meet Ian Payton | Actor

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

Hi Ian, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Truthfully, I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. During my time in Community College I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life or what I was truly good at and I would never forget a conversation I had with my brother that made me refocus myself and go pursue filmmaking which lead me to becoming an Actor. I always had a love and a obsession with film. Growing up I was always in front of the screen whether it was a television, theater or computer screen, you would catch me watching movies or shows quoting lines from iconic characters or even looking up trivia about certain actors and directors. The same feeling or reaction some of my favorite actors and actress gave me when watching their films is the same thing I strive to do for people who wanna watch my films.

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.
I am an Actor, I have been pursuing acting for seven years. I started out acting in school. A couple of years after school I begin to take it serious. Booked my first role and it was a feature in 2017 and from then on the rest was history. It has not been easy and as long as I pursue this dream it will never be easy such as anything you do in life. The most thing I am truly proud of beside booking roles is never quitting on myself and my dream. Pursuing an Acting career and Acting in general is no were near easy. You are constantly looking for work, your going to face rejections or not hear anything back and depending on the role you book you are opening yourself up physically, mentally and spiritually just to portray a character. It is challenging to be vulnerable in front people you do not know but when you knock down that wall it is rewarding and satisfying at the same time. Because you unlocked something in you that you never knew was there. Lessons I learned along the way is that its a marathon not a sprint and it is 10% art 90% business. When it is all said and done I want the world to know that I dreamed big, went after it and I gave it my all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I been living in Georgia for two years and there still some places that I have not visited but I would definitely take them out to a couple of brunch spots that I enjoy. Southern Queens and The Breakfast Boys are great places to hit up when you are down in the ATL. Next I take them over to the Battery, they got a lot hangout spots there plus we can catch a Braves game. Those are a couple places to start when visiting.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost my parents, this may sound cliche but they are the best parents you could ever ask for point blank period. Their unconditional love and support for me is something I am truly blessed to have in my life and never once I take that for granted. Another person is my brother, he challenges me creatively. He knows when I am not giving it in my all in my performances or self tape and he encourages me to look within myself as an artist. Don’t be just an Actor be more than an Actor. That’s the kinda bound we have as brothers. Lastly my lady, her encouragement and strength keeps me going. Days when I am low or an audition did not go my way she finds ways to keep me uplifted and feeling like I can do anything even if her days are as low as mine.

Instagram: Ianpayton_

Image Credits
OVR10 Production, Abstrak Gloabal, Focused Fylmz