Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Stecker.
Hi Andrew, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I loved movies and greatly enjoyed going to theater shows my sisters were in. But I hardly gave myself permission to try anything in those creative directions. That and a fear of further bullying kept me on the sidelines. Other than making home movies and comedy sketches with my friends, my life looked pretty normal. My world then took a drastic & traumatic turn when I was 28 and I was forced to start over. It was then that I finally gave myself permission to go after a life I always wanted but would tell myself wasn’t possible. “What makes you so special.” I would tell myself. I had to reinvent myself and my thoughts if I wanted to go after my dream of acting and filmmaking. Instead of living in a place of fear and pain for what I was going through, I decided to embrace change and never look back. I moved to Minnesota and gave myself 5 years to see if I still had the same desire and drive for this life. That was now 10 years ago and I’m still here!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes & No. There is something to be said for what happens to you when you finally go after what it is in your heart to do. I look at pictures of myself from my older life 10 years ago and I think I look better now than I did then. I remember I always felt that I was searching for what I was meant to do. What my passion was. But never fully committing to that search. I was just existing. That struggle I would consider to be far more difficult than anything I’ve experienced since.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor, writer, director, and assistant director in the film industry. I consider myself an actor first, but an many in the industry know, it’s hard to survive as just in one profession. But I also love the entire filmmaking process. I’ve acted in over 20 films, more short films than I can count, and have written & directed 2 of my own short films. I’ve also found success as an Assistant Director. Which is a role those not in the film industry may not be aware of. If you’ve watched much behind the scenes footage from films, the 1st Assistant Dir. is usually the loud person you hear directing the traffic. Think of them as the On-Set Manager. Someone to take the logistical matters on a film off the director’s shoulders as they focus on the story & actors. There’s also the 2nd Assistant Dir. who’s job is the same but for all the Off-Set matters. Telling actors when they are ready for them on set and such. Also handling communication for the film. But again, I consider myself and ACTOR first! ha
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the Twin Cities. You can’t beat the Midwest vide. The people are great, the food is delicious, and the weather is… weather. But we still love it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7123966/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_andrew%2520stecker
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adstecker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adstecker/
