Meet Zach Strum

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Strum.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I went to film school to be an actor. It was unintentional. I wanted to direct but acting came easier than anything. Probably because of the pressure I put on myself to be a director. When I graduated, I worked freelance jobs, served in restaurants, and played in a band on a cruise ship.

I avoided the film industry so I could create my own films, and I did, along with other friends from school, who cast me in their films. Eventually, I cut together a reel that got me an agent here in NC and started booking small roles in big films. I just wrapped on a new series for IMDb TV.

It’s the first time I’ve felt like a working actor.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m very fortunate to have options in my life, otherwise, I don’t think a career in the film would be possible. Making movies is hard. It’s also incredibly expensive. So much of it is an investment with no return and what you don’t pay in cash, you pay in time. I’ve invested a lot of time in other people’s projects that were never finished.

They just disappeared along with their creators and the footage. For an actor, it’s like being robbed. However, there’s something to learn from every experience. It’s a small industry and your network is everything.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a performer with a background in film. I act, write, direct, edit, drum, etc. Music videos have been my focus for the past few years. One of the screened-in competitions with Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ at SXSW. That was a highlight of my life. Other short films that I’ve written, directed, or worked on have played at dozens of international festivals, including Slamdance.

My work is generally eccentric, colorful, and music-inspired. As an actor, I can be seen in the upcoming series ‘Sprung’, the Aretha Franklin biopic ‘Respect’ and the Emmy-Nominated ‘Uncle Frank’.

How do you define success?
Overcoming fear, I consider that success.

Contact Info:

• Email: strumzach@gmail.com
• Instagram: @zzzstrum
• Other: https://vimeo.com/zachstrum

Image Credits
Strategic Arts & Productions